When two (whole) words are combined to create a new word with a new meaning.
(This new meaning can be wildly different from what the original two words mean on their own).
Additionally, there are three different kinds of Compound Words: Open, Closed, and Hyphenated.
Closed compound words have no spaces. Open compound words have separation between the two (or three) words. Hyphenated compound words have hyphens between words.
(Closed Compound Words):
Justice- Just, Ice,
Bargain- Bar, gain,
Kidnapping- Kid, Napping,
Grandparent- Grand, Parent,
Babysit- Baby, Sit,
Pineapple- Pine, Apple,
(Open Compound Words):
(While there’s a physical space between open compound words, the meanings of the two words have been combined. This is why they are still considered Compound.)
Examples:
Cell Phone- Cell, Phone,
First Aid- First, Aid,
Common Sense- Common, Sense,
Real Estate- Real, Estate,
Life Jacket- Life, Jacket,
Rib Cage- Rib, Cage,
Hot Dog- Hot, Dog,
Cotton Candy- Cotton, Candy,
(Hyphenated Compound Words):
Well-being- Well, Being,
Word-of-mouth- Word, Mouth, Of,
Up-to-date- Up, date, to,
(This new meaning can be wildly different from what the original two words mean on their own).
Additionally, there are three different kinds of Compound Words: Open, Closed, and Hyphenated.
Closed compound words have no spaces. Open compound words have separation between the two (or three) words. Hyphenated compound words have hyphens between words.
(Closed Compound Words):
Justice- Just, Ice,
Bargain- Bar, gain,
Kidnapping- Kid, Napping,
Grandparent- Grand, Parent,
Babysit- Baby, Sit,
Pineapple- Pine, Apple,
(Open Compound Words):
(While there’s a physical space between open compound words, the meanings of the two words have been combined. This is why they are still considered Compound.)
Examples:
Cell Phone- Cell, Phone,
First Aid- First, Aid,
Common Sense- Common, Sense,
Real Estate- Real, Estate,
Life Jacket- Life, Jacket,
Rib Cage- Rib, Cage,
Hot Dog- Hot, Dog,
Cotton Candy- Cotton, Candy,
(Hyphenated Compound Words):
Well-being- Well, Being,
Word-of-mouth- Word, Mouth, Of,
Up-to-date- Up, date, to,
Most native English speakers don't give compound words much thought...because we're so overly familiar with them in every day speech. However...Compound words are a great testament to how bizarre (and often hilarious) the English language can be.
Like think about the distinct departure in meaning between say: kidnapping vs. kid napping or one nightstand vs. one night stand, Or what about how we decided to define generational age with words like "Grand" or "Great?" (I.E. Great-Great-Grandparent). We all know there's nothing grand about aging itself, and not everyone's grandparents qualify as "grand" either. "Hot dog" is another little adventure.
There is so much about the world that's wonderful and weird sitting in front of us, but we miss out because we don't pay attention to what's overly familiar.
Like think about the distinct departure in meaning between say: kidnapping vs. kid napping or one nightstand vs. one night stand, Or what about how we decided to define generational age with words like "Grand" or "Great?" (I.E. Great-Great-Grandparent). We all know there's nothing grand about aging itself, and not everyone's grandparents qualify as "grand" either. "Hot dog" is another little adventure.
There is so much about the world that's wonderful and weird sitting in front of us, but we miss out because we don't pay attention to what's overly familiar.
by Olive989 March 28, 2023
If the Englishlanguage used more compoundwords:
Declarationofindependence
Nationalhockeyleague
Popmusic
Compound words
Declarationofindependence
Nationalhockeyleague
Popmusic
Compound words
by IntergalactalEnergy August 6, 2023
A word that is spelled so badly, there is no possible way to understand what the word was supposed to be. You may not even be able to understand the word from the clues and context it is used in.
by Diriector_Doc December 21, 2017
by STOP with democrate December 18, 2020
by STOP with democrate December 18, 2020
The moment when you have an idea inside your head, but you have a hard time saying it out loud since you're finding the suitable word in your head. Usually happens when speaking your second/third/nth language.
Note: This is different than the speech disorder "stuttering". Word stroke can happen to anyone.
Note: This is different than the speech disorder "stuttering". Word stroke can happen to anyone.
"You know Andy, I think this show is..."
"Is what, Ray?"
"Is...is..."
"?"
"I'M HAVING A WORD STROKE!"
"Is what, Ray?"
"Is...is..."
"?"
"I'M HAVING A WORD STROKE!"
by ubon September 22, 2020
A dangerous word is the opposite of a safe word, meaning when used it is to tell a person's significant other to continue or go further. Safe words typically mean stop, while a dangerous word means to go.
Person 1: Yeah I wanted him to keep kissing me but he was afraid to go too far
Person 2: Me and my boyfriend have a dangerous word, everytime he says banana it means he reallyyyy wants more
Person 1: oh
Person 2: Me and my boyfriend have a dangerous word, everytime he says banana it means he reallyyyy wants more
Person 1: oh
by neowm master 48 January 3, 2022