Compound words

A compound word is two words joined together to make a new word: ⟦sun⟧ + ⟦flower⟧ = ⟦sunflower⟧. The new word usually has a meaning linked to both parts: a ⟦toothbrush⟧ is a brush for your teeth.

Key facts

  • Write a compound word as one word, with no space: ⟦football⟧, not ⟦foot ball⟧.
  • Both parts are real words: ⟦rain⟧ + ⟦bow⟧ = ⟦rainbow⟧.
  • The meaning often comes from the parts: a ⟦bedroom⟧ is a room with a bed; a ⟦raincoat⟧ is a coat for the rain.
  • One word can make many compounds: ⟦rainbow⟧, ⟦raincoat⟧, ⟦raindrop⟧; ⟦snowman⟧, ⟦snowball⟧.
  • Splitting a long word into its two parts helps you read and spell it: ⟦grass-hopper⟧, ⟦thunder-storm⟧.

Worked examples

Example 1

Join the words: ⟦tooth + brush⟧

  1. Write the two words with no space between them.
  2. ⟦tooth + brush⟧ = ⟦toothbrush⟧

Answer: ⟦toothbrush⟧

Example 2

Which two words make ⟦butterfly⟧?

  1. Try splitting it: ⟦but + terfly⟧ doesn't work, because ⟦terfly⟧ isn't a word.
  2. ⟦butter⟧ and ⟦fly⟧ are both real words: ⟦butter + fly⟧.

Answer: ⟦butter + fly⟧

Example 3

Which word can join ⟦star⟧ to make a compound word: ⟦fish⟧, ⟦apple⟧ or ⟦river⟧?

  1. ⟦starapple⟧ and ⟦starriver⟧ are not words.
  2. ⟦starfish⟧ is a word: a sea animal shaped like a star.

Answer: ⟦fish⟧