Compound Noun – Explore What is, Definition, Types and Examples
When a noun or another part of speech combines with another noun or any other part of speech to form a noun, it is called a compound noun. This article will provide you with an introduction to compound nouns, types and examples of compound nouns.
What is a Compound Noun?
Definition of a Compound Noun
Types of Compound Nouns with Examples
Forming Compound Nouns
Noun + Noun
Noun + Verb
Noun + Gerund
Gerund + Noun
Noun+ Preposition + Noun/Noun + Prepositional Phrase
Preposition + Verb
Verb + Preposition
Preposition + Noun
Adjective + Noun
Adjective + Verb
Repetitive/Rhyming Words
Places, Nationalities and Titles
Check Your Knowledge of Compound Nouns
Frequently Asked Questions on Compound Nouns
What is a Compound Noun?
A compound noun is a noun that is formed by a combination of more than one part of speech. Compound nouns are of three main types: Open or spaced compound nouns, hyphenated compound nouns and closed or solid compound nouns.
Definition of a Compound Noun
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a compound noun is defined as ‘a noun that is made up of two or more different words, for example, “cake shop”, “French fries”, “high-flyer”, or “schoolteacher”.’ The Oxford Learners’ Dictionary provides a similar definition. It defines a compound noun as ‘a noun, an adjective or a verb made of two or more words or parts of words, written as one or more words, or joined by a hyphen. Travel agent, dark-haired and bathroom are all compound nouns.’
Types of Compound Nouns with Examples
As mentioned above, there are three main types of compound nouns.
Spaced or Open Compound Noun
A spaced or open compound noun is one in which there is a space between the two words which form the compound noun.
For example:
Cricket bat
Fast food
Flower shop
Hyphenated Compound Nouns
A hyphenated compound noun is one in which the two words are separated with the use of a hyphen.
For example:
By-product
Mother-in-law
Passer-by
Closed or Solid Compound Nouns
A closed or solid compound noun is one inwhich the two words do not have any spaces or hyphens separating them. They are usually considered as a single word.
For example:
Sunflower
Classroom
Rainfall
Forming Compound Nouns
You can form compound nouns by combining different parts of speech. All compound nouns, though belonging to different parts of speech, perform the same function as a noun. Let us see how different compound nouns are formed.
Noun + Noun
Check out the following examples of compound nouns formed using two separate nouns.
Compound Noun
Noun
Noun
Bus stop
Bus
Stop
Firefly
Fire
Fly
Basketball
Basket
Ball
Railway Station
Railway
Station
Football
Foot
Ball
Railway Junction
Railway
Junction
Airport
Air
Port
Headmistress
Head
Mistress
Ship deck
Ship
Deck
Sweatshirt
Sweat
Shirt
Noun + Verb
Have a look at the following compound nouns formed using a noun and a verb.
Compound Noun
Noun
Verb
Haircut
Hair
Cut
Sunrise
Sun
Rise
Sunset
Sun
Set
Rainfall
Rain
Fall
Snowfall
Snow
Fall
Footprint
Foot
Roleplay
Role
Play
Healthcare
Health
Care
Gunfight
Gun
Fight
Noun + Gerund
Take a look at the following compound nouns formed using a combination of a noun and a gerund (verb+ing).
Compound Noun
Noun
Gerund
Sightseeing
Sight
Seeing
Birdwatching
Bird
Watching
Handwriting
Hand
Writing
Mountain climbing
Mountain
Climbing
River rafting
River
Rafting
Copy-editing
Copy
Editing
Ballet dancing
Ballet
Dancing
Bookkeeping
Book
Keeping
Cat walking
Cat
Walking
Time consuming
Time
Consuming
Gerund + Noun
Check out the following examples of compound nouns by combining a gerund and a noun.
Compound Noun
Gerund
Noun
Washing machine
Washing
Machine
Dressing table
Dressing
Table
Magnifying lens
Magnifying
Lens
Visiting card
Visiting
Card
Fishing net
Fishing
Net
Driving licence
Driving
Licence
Sewing machine
Sewing
Machine
Cooking gas
Cooking
Gas
Waiting room
Waiting
Room
Helping hand
Helping
Hand
Noun + Preposition + Noun/Noun + Prepositional Phrase
Given below are compound nouns formed by combining a noun and a preposition phrase.
Compound Noun
Noun
Prepositional Phrase
Mother-in-law
Mother
In-law
Father-in-law
Father
In-law
Sister-in-law
Sister
In-law
Brother-in-law
Brother
In-law
Son-in-law
Son
In-law
Daughter-in-law
Daughter
In-law
Lady-in-waiting
Lady
In-waiting
Jack-of-all-trades
Jack
Of-all-trades
Preposition + Verb
Have a look at the compound nouns given below formed by combining a preposition and a verb.
Compound Noun
Preposition
Verb
Output
Out
Put
Input
In
Put
Outlet
Out
Let
Understand
Under
Stand
Overthrow
Over
Throw
Undercut
Under
Cut
Underpass
Under
Pass
Intake
In
Take
Uproar
Up
Roar
Outburst
Out
Burst
Verb + Preposition
Given below are examples of compound nouns formed by a combination of a verb and a preposition.
BF