Compound (linguistics) facts for kids
Compound words are like word puzzles where two or more words join together to create a brand new word with its own meaning! Think of side and walk coming together to make sidewalk. It's pretty cool how words can combine like that.
These special words often change over time. Sometimes, they start as two separate words, then they might get joined by a hyphen (like mother-in-law), and eventually, they can become one single word (like keyboard).
There are three main types of compound words:
- Closed compound words: These are words that are joined together as one single word, like keyboard or makeup.
- Hyphenated compound words: These words are connected by a hyphen, such as mother-in-law or well-known.
- Open compound words: These are words that are used together to create a new meaning, but they remain separate words, like police station or fire engine.
Common Compound Words You Use Every Day
You probably use lots of compound words without even realizing it! Here's a list of some common ones:
- newspaper
- pigtail
- handbag
- sandbox
- sometimes
- basketball
- elsewhere
- peppermint
- cannot
- baseball
- fireworks
- grandmother
- upside
- together
- sunflower
- crosswalk
- become
- moonlight
- football
- railroad
- anybody
- weatherman
- skateboard
- earthquake
- everything
- grasshopper
- inside
Images for kids
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Sewage-treatment-facility - The German language has many compounds
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Compound (linguistics) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.