What is a Compound Noun?
A compound noun is made of two or more words that join to create a new meaning. The new meaning is more than the sum of its parts!
For example, a cupcake isn't a cake made of cups, and a toothbrush isn't a brush made of teeth. The individual words just give us a clue to the new noun's meaning.
For example, a cupcake isn't a cake made of cups, and a toothbrush isn't a brush made of teeth. The individual words just give us a clue to the new noun's meaning.
Types of Compound Nouns
1. Closed Form
The words are joined together without any space. This is the most common type.
- tooth + brush = toothbrush
- bed + room = bedroom
- basket + ball = basketball
2. Hyphenated Form
The words are joined by a hyphen.
- mother-in-law
- six-pack
- check-in
3. Open Form
The words are separate, but they function as a single noun.
- post office
- ice cream
- high school
Exercise 1: Word Match
Drag the second word to its matching first word to form a compound noun.
rain
+
book
+
cup
+
star
+
bow
cake
fish
shelf
Exercise 2: Find the Compound Noun
Click on the compound noun in each sentence.