The English language, like many others, has developed mechanisms to create new words from the combination of two or more pre-existing terms. One of these mechanisms is the use of compound words, also known as compounds. These words play an essential role in the English vocabulary and help to express ideas more precisely and efficiently. In this FunTalk article, we will talk about what compound words are, their different types and some common examples.

What are compound words?

Compound words, or compounds, are the result of the union of two or more words to form a new word, with a unique meaning. Often, these combinations have a meaning that goes beyond the sum of the meanings of the words that compose them. That is, the words that make up a compound word may have individual meanings, but when combined, the new term takes on a different or more specific meaning. For example, in English, the word “tooth” means “tooth” and “brush” means “brush”. When combined, we get “toothbrush,” which is not just a “toothbrush,” but refers specifically to a personal hygiene tool.

Like this example, English is full of compounds that we use in our daily lives.

Types of compounds

There are three types of compound words in English, and their classification depends on how the terms that form them are visually combined: open, closed and hyphenated compound words.

English

1. Open compound words

These are words that are written as two separate words, although together they form a single concept. In this case, the meaning arises from the relationship between the two words, but they keep their space between them. A very common example is “ice cream”. Although “ice” means “ice” and “cream” means “cream,” the whole refers to a cold, creamy treat that is not simply described as “ice cream.”

2. Closed compound words

In this type of compound word, the two words are merged into one, without a space or hyphen. They are extremely common in modern English, and examples such as “notebook” or “sunflower” are part of everyday vocabulary. In these cases, the resulting word has a meaning that is not necessarily the literal sum of the parts; “notebook”, for example, does not refer to “a notebook” literally, but to a notebook for writing.

3. Hyphenated compound words

The third type involves words that are connected by a hyphen. These combinations, also known as hyphenated compounds, are less frequent compared to closed words, but still play an important role in the language. A common example is mother-in-law. The use of the hyphen helps to clarify that “mother-in-law” is a single compound concept, and not a simple relationship of “mother” and “law”.

Some examples

Now that we know the types of compound words, let’s look at some sample English compound words that illustrate each of the above categories:

  • Open compound words: “high school”, “post office”.
  • Closed compound words: “snowflake”, “football”.
  • Hyphenated compound words: well-being, daughter-in-law.

These examples of compound words show how, by joining common words together, English can produce terms that encapsulate new ideas or concepts that are more precise than their individual parts.

How and why compound words are formed

Compound words are formed to satisfy the need to create terms that more directly and specifically describe objects, ideas or actions, especially when there is no single word to express a concept. This process occurs in a variety of contexts, such as in technology and everyday life. For example, the word “smartphone” was introduced to describe a phone that offers advanced capabilities, such as internet access and apps, rather than using a longer phrase such as “phone with smart capabilities.” The use of compound words not only simplifies communication, but also streamlines the process of expression, allowing speakers to condense information into a single, easy-to-understand term. This is especially useful in a language as dynamic as English, where efficiency in communication is critical. Compound words are a valuable tool in the English language, allowing speakers to combine terms to create new meanings and more precise ways of communicating ideas.

From everyday terms like “toothbrush” to more specific words like “mother-in-law,” the use of compounds demonstrates the flexibility and richness of the language. Understanding what compound words are and how they are formed is essential for any student of English. Learning to recognize the different types of compound words (open, closed and hyphenated) and becoming familiar with examples of compound words will help improve fluency and accuracy when speaking and writing in English.