Compound Words
Compound words are formed when two smaller words are joined together to create a new word with its own meaning. Sometimes they are written as one word, as in sunflower or notebook; sometimes they are linked with a hyphen, as in well-known or part-time; and sometimes they appear as separate words but still work together as a single idea, such as ice cream. The exact form often depends on common usage, so learning compound words is as much about recognising patterns as it is about memorising spellings. Once you begin to notice them, you will see that they are everywhere in everyday English, from long-standing vocabulary to newer terms that enter the language over time.
Compound words matter because they help you speak and write more naturally, accurately, and concisely. Using the right form can prevent confusion, improve clarity, and make your English sound more polished and confident. This page is designed to help you spot common patterns, understand how compound words behave, and avoid typical spelling mistakes. As you explore the examples and explanations, pay attention to whether a compound is written as one word, hyphenated, or left open, and practise using them in your own sentences. With regular review, you will build a stronger vocabulary and develop a better instinct for what sounds correct in real English.
379 entries in this category
Animals & Insects
29a colorful insect with large wings
a small spotted beetle
a fast flying insect with long body
a bee that makes honey
a large fuzzy bee
a small sea animal with a curled tail
a sea animal with arms like a star
a fish with whisker like barbels
a kind of small shark
a fish that can puff up its body
a small golden pet fish
a common yellow flower
a tiny bird that beats its wings quickly
a brightly colored fish eating bird
a nocturnal bird with a wide mouth
a common fly found indoors
the larva of a butterfly or moth
a bird that pecks wood to find insects
a songbird found in grasslands
a fast running bird of the southwest
an insect that jumps in grass
a sea animal with a shell
a bird with a long snake like neck
a large hound dog bred to hunt wolves
a device used to catch mice
a decorative wing of a beetle
the web made by a spider
a small shelter for birds
a pond where fish are kept
Body & Health
25Pain in the head.
Pain in the back.
Pain in the stomach.
A person who protects someone.
Skin damage caused by too much sun.
The regular beating of the heart.
The flow of blood through the body.
Pain or irritation in the throat.
The strip of hair above the eye.
A cosmetic used on the lips.
The nail on the thumb.
Care and treatment of the skin.
Soap used for washing hands.
Soap or cleanser used for washing the body.
A style made by cutting hair.
Pain in the ear.
Bleeding from the nose.
The force of blood against artery walls.
A burning feeling in the chest or throat.
A liquid used to clean the mouth.
A cloth used for washing the face.
Medical care and services for health.
A state of good health and comfort.
Immediate help given to an injured person.
A ring that changes color with temperature or mood.
Clothing
26A shirt worn for work or as practical clothing.
A dress made of sweater like material.
A gown worn for sleeping.
A one piece garment with pants and a top.
Clothing designed for sports or casual exercise.
Clothing worn under other clothes.
Clothing worn over other clothes, especially outdoors.
A casual jacket worn with less formal clothing.
A light jacket that helps block the wind.
Clothing worn for sleeping.
A person who makes dresses.
A band around a hat.
Wood from a sandal tree, sometimes used in clothing scented products.
A garment hanging from the waist.
Boots worn to keep feet dry in wet weather.
A bag carried on the back.
A band worn to hold hair in place.
A tie worn around the neck.
A case used for carrying clothes when traveling.
A sweater or shirt with a high close fitting neck.
A religious garment or robe.
Clothing made for work or practical use.
Clothing worn for sleeping.
Clothing worn for swimming.
A formal coat with long back tails.
A light upper garment for women or girls.
Everyday Objects
28A brush used for cleaning teeth.
A book for writing notes.
A cabinet used for storing dishes or food.
A round handle used to open a door.
A device worn over the ears to listen to sound privately.
A small cup used for drinking tea.
A cord used to tie a shoe.
A shelf for holding books.
A bell that rings to signal someone at the door.
A front window on a vehicle that protects from wind.
The side of a bed.
A small box for holding matches.
A portable computer.
A robe worn after bathing.
A box for receiving letters and packages.
A brush used for grooming hair.
A panel of keys used to type on a computer or instrument.
Glasses worn to help a person see.
A small bag carried by hand.
A cloth used to cover a table.
The hard covering on the tip of a finger.
The fold of skin that covers and protects the eye.
A small book or a woman's handbag.
A figure made from packed snow.
A chair with supports for the arms.
Glasses that protect the eyes from sunlight.
A clock that rings at a set time.
A small dish that holds a bar of soap.
Food & Drink
28A cold drink made by blending milk with flavoring such as fruit or chocolate.
A glass designed for serving wine.
A place where coffee and other drinks are served.
A book of recipes and cooking instructions.
The first meal of the day.
A tall plant grown for making sugar.
A type of sweet melon.
A sour milk drink used in cooking or baking.
A sweet dessert made with cheese and a crust.
A cake or patty made from fish.
A baked dish made from ground meat shaped like a loaf.
A cooked sausage served in a bun.
A food made with filling between slices of bread.
A thin, crisp piece of corn used as breakfast cereal.
A sweet frozen dessert made from cream or milk.
A spread made from ground peanuts.
A drink made from pressed apples.
A large citrus fruit with a tangy taste.
A large fruit with juicy red flesh and a thick green rind.
A small dark berry that grows on a thorny bush.
A red sweet berry with seeds on the outside.
A small blue edible berry.
Bread made with cornmeal.
A hot breakfast food made from oats.
A purple vegetable also called aubergine.
A hot pepper used to add spice to food.
A bowl used for serving soup.
A container for storing bread.
Home & Household
24A room in a house used for sleeping.
A room with a toilet and a place to wash.
A room in a house used for relaxing and sitting together.
A room where meals are eaten.
A mat placed at a door for wiping shoes.
Paste used with a toothbrush to clean teeth.
A cover for a pillow.
A decorative cover placed over a bed.
A machine that washes dishes.
A flat pan used with a brush for collecting dust and dirt.
A room used for washing and drying clothes.
A machine used to wash clothes.
A single sheet of glass in a window.
A structure in a room where a fire is kept.
A pot used for making and serving tea.
A bulb that produces light when switched on.
An opening that you pass through to enter a room.
A rail that you hold for support, especially on stairs.
The mechanism that makes a clock operate.
People who live together in one home.
The board at the head of a bed.
A set of stairs in a building.
The time when someone goes to bed.
A stand or container that holds a candle.
Nature & Weather
30light from the sun
a coat worn to stay dry in the rain
snow that is falling or has fallen
a severe tropical storm with very strong winds
a mill powered by the wind
the land along the edge of the sea
a storm with heavy rain
light from the moon
a sudden shaking of the ground
a storm with thunder and lightning
a single drop of rain
protected against bad weather
the time when the sun appears in the morning
the time when the sun goes down in the evening
a large mass of floating ice
a small piece of snow
water affected by the rise and fall of the tide
a dark cloud that brings a storm
a glass building for growing plants
land covered with trees
a stone found in a field
a large area of land covered with grass
a tool for measuring rainfall
a storm with very strong wind
the land beside a lake
a shell from the sea
a worm that lives in soil
a tall plant with a large yellow flower
a small glowing insect
the side of a cliff
People & Family
29The mother of a parent.
The father of a parent.
A woman who is the spouse of one's parent.
A man who is the spouse of one's parent.
The brother of one's spouse or the husband of one's sibling.
The sister of one's spouse or the wife of one's sibling.
The father of one's spouse.
The mother of one's spouse.
The husband of one's child.
The wife of one's child.
A baby that has very recently been born.
A woman who manages a home.
A man who manages a home.
A boy who attends school.
A girl who attends school.
A companion for playing, especially a child.
A group of young children who meet to play and learn.
A man or boy who is in a romantic relationship.
A woman or girl who is in a romantic relationship.
A male sponsor in a Christian baptism.
A female sponsor in a Christian baptism.
Something that causes a husband to die and leave a widow.
A man devoted to his family.
A woman devoted to her family.
A male relative.
A female relative.
A person from whom one is descended.
A person related by descent from an earlier family member.
The state or condition of being a parent.
Places & Buildings
25A place where airplanes take off and land.
A set of rooms where someone lives in a larger building.
A shop that sells books.
A room where students are taught.
A building or large room where students live.
A house on a farm.
A small house for visitors to stay in.
A place where people get haircuts and hair styling.
A passage inside a building that connects rooms.
A tower that shines a light to guide ships.
A room used for meetings.
An outdoor area where children play.
A building where police work.
A place where mail is sent and received.
A person who shares a room or apartment with someone.
A building used as a school.
The front side of a shop facing the street.
A path beside a road for people to walk on.
The front part of a store facing the street.
A tall narrow house in a city or town.
A room with sinks and often toilets.
A large building used for storing goods.
The place where someone works.
A building where legal cases are heard.
A room in a hotel for guests to stay in.
School & Learning
24a board used for writing or drawing in a classroom
school work done at home
a book used for study in school
a case or piece of furniture for books
a board for writing with chalk
a book used by teachers to record grades
a book used for studying a subject
a book of exercises for students
a small clip used to hold papers together
a small case for pencils and other writing tools
a chair used with a desk in a classroom
a bag used by a student for carrying books and supplies
a card that shows a student's school grades
a room for reading and study
a hall or room for supervised study
a room where students eat lunch
fine powder from chalk used in classrooms
a paper with questions for a test
work done during class time
a book used for learning spells or, more generally, a book of words to learn
a class activity where students share something and talk about it
the time when the school bell rings
a person who is in the same class as you
spoken guidance or direction from a teacher
Sports & Games
30A game played with a ball that players move mainly with their feet.
A bat and ball game played between two teams.
A game in which players score by throwing a ball into a hoop.
A game in which teams hit a ball over a net.
A game in which players use their hands to throw or hit a ball.
One of the upright posts that mark a scoring area in some sports.
A board that shows the current score in a game.
A strategy for how to play a game or match.
A final round of games used to decide a winner.
A person who is on the same team as you.
A stroke in tennis or similar sports made with the back of the hand facing forward.
A score in baseball when the batter runs all the way around the bases after hitting the ball out of play.
A score in American football made when the ball is carried into the end zone or caught there.
A supporting partner or helper in a game, story, or team context.
A large seating area for spectators at a sports event.
A person who records and tracks the score in a game.
A competition for deciding the champion.
The point that can win the match in tennis and some other sports.
The line at the side of a playing field.
A contest or rule used to decide a winner when scores are tied.
A card used to record scores in a game.
A building for members, players, or fans at a sports venue.
A game in which a ball is kept in play on a machine using flippers.
The back of a horse, used in the phrase riding horseback.
A board used for gliding over snow.
A board with wheels used for riding and tricks.
A car built for racing.
A sport or game term for a slide through mud, often in playful competition.
A board used to display or track a draft in sports drafts and fantasy games.
A contest in the sport of wrestling.
Time & Calendar
26Natural light during the day.
The time when the day begins to light up.
Any day from Monday to Friday.
The period at the end of the week, usually Saturday and Sunday.
The date when a person was born.
The latest time or date by which something must be finished.
A region that uses the same standard time.
The amount of time over which something happens.
The length of time between two events.
A schedule showing times for events, classes, or travel.
A device for telling time, such as a clock or watch.
The front of a clock where the numbers and hands appear.
A system for arranging days, weeks, and months.
The end of a month.
Lasting for a whole month.
A book published once a year, often with school photos and events.
Happening throughout the whole year.
The season of spring.
The season of summer.
The usual time for eating dinner.
The usual time for eating lunch.
Time worked beyond regular working hours.
The amount of time spent waiting.
The period when crops are gathered.
Time when a person is not busy with work or duties.
A day when people usually go to work.
Travel & Transport
27A powered aircraft that flies in the sky.
A road built to go around a town or crowded area.
An arrangement where several people share one car for travel.
A small bag that a traveler keeps with them on a plane.
A place where travelers or vehicles are inspected.
A path for bicycles.
Operating without a human driver.
A fast road with limited stops and entrances.
A boat used to carry passengers or vehicles across water.
A path for people walking.
A main road for fast travel between places.
A large jet airplane used for passenger travel.
Bags and suitcases carried by a traveler.
A two wheeled vehicle powered by an engine.
A bridge or road that crosses over another road.
A track system used by trains.
A map or plan for a journey or route.
The area along the edge of a road.
An airplane that can take off from and land on water.
A lift or cable transport that carries people above the ground.
A passenger vehicle that runs on tracks in city streets.
An underground railway system.
A path for aircraft to move at an airport.
A book containing tickets for travel or entry.
A place where truck drivers can rest, eat, or refuel.
A toll road or highway.
A point on a route used for navigation.
Work & Tools
28A sturdy table used for doing manual work.
A room or building used for making or repairing things.
A box used for storing tools.
A small shed for keeping tools.
A tool operated by hand rather than by power.
A small cart pushed or pulled by hand.
Small enough to be held in the hand.
A lamp worn on the head to light the way.
A pair of headphones with a microphone.
A tool driven by electricity or another power source.
A drill powered by electricity or battery.
The cutting part of a drill.
A small tool for trimming nails.
A tool used to turn screws.
Fine particles made when sawing wood.
A support used to hold wood while sawing.
A tool used for gripping and turning nuts or bolts.
The striking part of a hammer.
A machine that crushes material with hammers.
The people available to do work.
The amount of work a person has to do.
A page of exercises or tasks to complete.
A room used for doing work.
A person or company that makes tools.
A room where tools are kept or issued.
A hammer with a claw for pulling nails.
A flexible ruler used to measure length.
A table used for working on tasks or projects.