Top Compound Words for Kids (Examples and Fun Exercises)

Looking for compounds words for kids to understand? A compound word is formed by combining two words to create a new word. This new word will have a meaning entirely different from the word used to form it. Compound words can also sometimes be created with more than three words.

Compound word: The different types

Compound words are classified into three different types depending on the way they are formed.

Closed compound words

A closed compound word appears like a single word. They are created by joining two words together without a space in between. They usually contain only two words and are easily recognizable. Even though these words were not always used together, they are now considered “real words.”

Examples:

1. Basketball
2. Snowball
3. Moonlight
4. Bookstore
5. Waistcoat
6. Notebook
7. Fireman
8. Armchair
9. Keyhole
10. Bedroom

Since English is a constantly evolving language, many words that are used extensively typically end up being written as a single word. An example of this is the word “online.” This word was spelled “on-line” during the initial stages of internet use. But now the spelling “online” has become more accepted.

Open compound words

An open compound word is formed when a modifying adjective is combined with a noun to form an entirely new noun. They are created by joining two or more words. The words that are joined are written with a space in between. The space between the words can make it a bit difficult to identify open compound words.

Examples:

1. Ice cream
2. Coffee mug
3. Real estate
4. Living room
5. Post office
6. High school
7. First aid
8. Dinner table
9. Full moon
10. Hot dog

Compound words can also be formed by combining words with adverbs that end in -ly. Such compound words are also written as separate words.

Examples:

• Newly formed
• Largely irrelevant
• Highly contagious 
• Newly discovered
• Freshly baked
• Lightly salted
• Poorly written
• Distantly related

Hyphenated compound words

A hyphenated compound word is created by joining two or more words and placing a hyphen between them. Compound adjectives are typically hyphenated if they come before the noun they modify rather than after. Hyphenated compound words typically serve as compound adjectives.

Examples:

1. Up-to-date
2. Long-term
3. Day-to-day
4. Snow-clad
5. In-depth
6. Sun-dried
7. One-footed
8. Hands-on
9. Brother-in-law
10. Well-known

Hyphenated compound words have numerous rules associated with them. This makes them a bit trickier to write and identify. In some situations, open compound words become hyphenated. Consider the word “video game.” It is an open compound word. But this word is usually hyphenated when it modifies a noun like “collector” or “player.”

Example:

Avid video game players are fervently waiting for the release of Starfield in 2023.

Hyphens are frequently employed when compound adjectives are used in front of a participle. They also modify or alter a noun. Consider the word “record-breaking show.” Here, the word “breaking” is the present participle of the verb “break.” The adjective form “record” is placed before “breaking.” Both these words serve the same purpose, describing the noun “show.”

Compound nouns

Compound words that function as nouns are known as compound nouns. Examples include “boyfriend,” “firefighter,” and “greenhouse.”

Compound verbs

Compound verbs, or complex predicates, are multi-word compounds that act as single verbs. Examples include “sugarcoat,” “proofread,” and “blackmail.”

Compound adjectives

Compound adjectives are compound words that describe a noun. Examples include “short-handed,” “white-washed,” and “ice-cold.”

Compound word formation

Compound words are created by joining two words, particularly two components of speech. The different ways in which compound words can be formed include:

Noun + noun

Words formed by joining nouns include:

1. Football
2. Girlfriend
3. Sunflower
4. Teapot
5. Starfish
6. Bedroom
7. Music band
8. Snowman
9. Cupcake
10. Rainbow

Verb + noun

Words formed by joining a verb and noun include:

1. Notebook
2. Post office
3. Postman
4. Breakfast
5. Swimsuit
6. Cutthroat
7. Chopstick
8. Typewriter
9. Bathroom
10. Worksheet

Noun + verb

Words formed by joining a noun and verb include:

1. Babysit
2. Sunset
3. Sunrise
4. Rainfall
5. Firefly
6. Haircut
7. Raindrop
8. Snowfall
9. Photoshoot
10. Daydream

Noun + adjective

Words formed by joining a noun and adjective include:

1. Spoonful
2. Heartbroken
3. Houseful
4. Sky blue
5. Worldwide
6. Lifelong
7. Wireless
8. Snow white
9. Laptop
10. Sugar-free

Adjective + noun

Words formed by joining an adjective and noun include:

1. Last minute
2. Long-term
3. Blacksmith
4. Superhero
5. Blackboard
6. Greenhouse
7. Hot dog
8. Full-time
9. Full moon
10. Bluebird

Noun + gerund

Words formed by joining a noun and gerund include:

1. Bird watching
2. Time-consuming
3. Nail-biting
4. Mind-blowing
5. Sightseeing
6. Air conditioning
7. Brainstorming
8. Nerve-wracking
9. Mind mapping
10. Job hopping

Gerund + noun

Words formed by joining a gerund and noun include:

1. Living room
2. Melting point
3. Breaking point
4. Dining room
5. Driving license
6. Swimming pool
7. Washing machine
8. Vending machine
9. Managing director
10. Skipping rope

Preposition + noun

Words formed by joining a preposition and noun include:

1. Upstairs
2. Underworld
3. Underground
4. Undergraduate
5. Overview
6. Afterlife
7. Forehead
8. Bystander
9. Oversight
10. Background

Preposition + verb

Words formed by joining a preposition and verb include:

1. Outrun
2. Output
3. Outdo
4. Underestimate
5. Understand
6. Overlay
7. Overthrow
8. Input
9. Intake
10. Overreact

Verb + preposition

Words formed by joining a verb and preposition include:

1. Breakup
2. Lookout
3. Checkout
4. Checkin
5. Shutdown
6. Takeaway
7. Drawback
8. Takedown
9. Cut through
10. Roll-off

Creative techniques to teach kids compound words

Each child has a unique learning pattern and style. Every kid has a different understanding and grasping power. Learning compound words can be made interesting for kids by using some engaging and entertaining methods.

Flashcards

Kids learn easily and quickly with visual cues. Flashcards can be used to teach kids compound words as well as for end-of–lesson exercises.

Art and craft

Kids can be encouraged to make different crafts using compound words like sunglasses. The children learn the terms more easily and remember them better when they craft.

Interactive exercises

Activities like making Pictionary can help kids better remember compound words.

Exercise on compound words

Using the words given below, form open, closed, and hyphenated compound words.

1. Sister
2. Rain
3. Sitting
4. Swimming
5. Minded
6. Pool
7. Hand
8. Throat
9. Half
10. Bow
11. Card
12. Broad
13. Wash
14. Man
15. Baby
16. Made
17. Top
18. Counter
19. Cut
20. Flash

Sources:

1. Merriam Webster – compound – Definition
2. Wikipedia – English compound
3. Grammarly – Compound Words
4. Merriam Webster – Should that word have a hyphen?