What Is A Compound Noun?
Examples of Compound Nouns! When a noun is made of two or more words, we refer to them as a compound noun. Each word in a compound noun has its own separate meaning, but when it joins other words, the meaning changes slightly.
Must Read: Compound Noun Definition and Formation
For example, the word bedroom is a compound noun. It is made of two words bed and room. A bed is a type of furniture used for sleeping on, and a room is a part of the inside of a building that is separated from other portions by walls, floor and ceiling. The compound noun bedroom means a room used for sleeping in.
You have seen each word in a compound has its own meaning, but when we combine them to make one compound noun, the meaning changes slightly.
Compound nouns are usually written in three ways.
1 compound noun written one word often called close compound noun (e.g. a tablecloth)
2 compound nouns written as separate words, also called open compound nouns (e.g. waste paper)
3 compound nouns are written with a hyphen, also called hyphenated compound nouns (e.g. word-processor).
In this article, we have listed about 1100+ examples of compound nouns.
630+ Examples of Compound Nouns Written as One Word (Close Compound Nouns)
- Afterlife
- Aftermath
- Afternoon
- Afternoon
- Afterparty
- Aftershock
- Aftertaste
- Afterthought
- Afterglow
- Afterworld
- Aircraft
- Aircrew
- Airfield
- Airlift
- Afterlife
- Airline
- Airliner
- Airlock
- Airmail
- Airman
- Airship
- Airshow
- Airsickness
- Airspace
- Airspeed
- Airstream
- Airstrike
- Airstrip
- Airtime
- Airplane
- Airport
- Airtime
- Airwaves
- Airworthiness
- Airway
- Armpit
- Arrowhead
- Babysitter
- Backspace
- Backstop
- Backstroke
- Backwash
- Backwater
- Backyard
- Bankroll
- Beachcomber
- Beachfront
- Beachhead
- Beachwear
- Bedrock
- Bedroom
- Beefcake
- Beefeater
- Beekeeper
- Beeline
- Beeswax
- Beetroot
- Bluebell
- Blueberry
- Bluebird
- Bluebottle
- Bluegrass
- Blueprint
- Bluestocking
- Blowgun
- Blowhole
- Blowlamp
- Blowpipe
- Blowtorch
- Bluebell
- Blueberry
- Bluebird
- Bluebottle
- Bluegrass
- Bluetooth
- Bodyguard
- Bodysuit
- Bodywarmer
- Bodywork
- Bookseller
- Bookshelf
- Bookshop
- Bookstall
- Boxroom
- Boxwood
- Buttercup
- Butterfingers
- Butterfly
- Butterscotch
- Buttonhole
- Bookworm
- Bellboy
- Backache
- Backbiting
- Backboard
- Backbone
- Backchat
- Backdrop
- Background
- Backside
- Backslapping
- Backslapping
- Backslash
- Backslash
- Backsliding
- Backspace
- Backspace
- Backspace
- Ballroom
- Bandwidth
- Barnyard
- Baseball
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bathroom
- Bedroom
- Bedside
- Bedsit
- Bedsore
- Bedspread
- Bedstead
- Bedtime
- Bellbottom
- Black Maria
- Black Mark
- Blackberries
- Blackbird
- Blackboard
- Blackjack
- Blacklist
- Blackmail
- Blackout
- Blacksmith
- Blacktop
- Bluefish
- Boardroom
- Bodywork
- Bookcase
- Bootstrap
- Brainchild
- Brainstorm
- Brainstorming
- Brainteaser
- Brainwave
- Breakfast
- Bulldog
- Butterflies
- Buttermilk
- Butterscotch
- Buzzword
- Caretaker
- Carhop
- Carload
- Cardboard
- Cardholder
- Carpetbagger
- Carport
- Carryall
- Carrycot
- Cancan
- Cartwheel
- Cardsharp
- Cashback
- Cashpoint
- Caveman
- Candlelight
- Candlestick
- Catfish
- Chairman
- Cheeseparing
- Chessboard
- Cheeseburger
- Cheesecake
- Cheesecloth
- Chopstick
- Copycat
- Cowboy
- Commonplace
- Craftsman
- Crossover
- Crosswalk
- Crossfire
- Crossover
- Crosspatch
- Crossroads
- Crosswalk
- Crosswind
- Courthouse
- Courtroom
- Courtship
- Courtyard
- Cubbyhole
- Cheesecake
- Cheesecloth
- Daybreak
- Crossbreed
- Daydream
- Daydream
- Daylight
- Daytime
- Deadline
- Deadlock
- Dipstick
- Dishtowel
- Dishwasher
- Dishwater
- Eardrum
- Earring
- Earthquake
- Eggplant
- Eggshell
- Endless
- Eyeball
- Eyeballs
- Eyeglasses
- Eyehole
- Eyeliner
- Eyepiece
- Eyesight
- Eyesore
- Eyestrain
- Eyetooth
- Eyewash
- Eyewitness
- Firebomb
- Firebrand
- Firebreak
- Firebrick
- Firecracker
- Firefight
- Firefighter
- Firefighting
- Firefly
- Firefly
- Fireguard
- Fireguard
- Firelight
- Firelight
- Firelighter
- Firelighter
- Fireman
- Fireplace
- Fireplace
- Firepower
- Firepower
- Fireproof
- Firestorm
- Firewall
- Firewater
- Firewood
- Firework
- Firework
- Fishbowl
- Fishcake
- Fisherman
- Fishmonger
- Fishnet
- Fishwife
- Football
- Footballer
- Footbridge
- Footlights
- Footprint
- Footprint
- Footslogging
- Footstool
- Footwear
- Footwork
- Forearm
- Forebear
- Foreboding
- Forecast
- Forecaster
- Foreleg
- Forelock
- Foreman
- Forename
- Foreplay
- Forerunner
- Foreskin
- Friendship
- Goalkeeper
- Grandchild
- Granddaughter
- Grandfather
- Grandmaster
- Grandmother
- Grandparent
- Grasshopper
- Grassland
- Grassroots
- Grasstree
- Groundwater
Close Compound Nouns that Start with H
- Hallway
- Hamburger
- Handbag
- Handball
- Handbill
- Handbook
- Handbrake
- Handcart
- Handclap
- Handcrafts
- Handful
- Handgun
- Handheld
- Handhold
- Handicap
- Handicapped
- Handmaiden
- Handout
- Handover
- Handrail
- Handset
- Handshake
- Handwriting
- Handyman
- Headquarters
- Headroom
- Headscarf
- Headship
- Headstand
- Headstone
- Headteacher
- Headway
- Headwind
- Healthcare
- Heartbeat
- Homemaker
- Homeworker
- Honeydew
- Honeyeater
- Honeymoon
- Honeymoon
- Honeysuckle
- Horseback
- Horsebox
- Horsefly
- Horsehair
- Horseman
- Horsemanship
- Horseplay
- Horsepower
- Horseradish
- Horseshoe
- Horsewoman
- Household
- Householder
- Housekeeper
- Housekeeper
- Housemaid
- Housemaid
- Houseman
- Houseman
- Housemaster
- Housemaster
- Housemate
- Housemate
- Housemistress
- Houseplant
- Houseplant
- Inside
- Intake
- Jackboot
- Jackpot
- Keyboard
- Keypad
- Keystone
- Kickabout
- Kickback
- Kickboxing
- Ladyfinger
- Lifeblood
- Lifesaver
- Lifetime
- Limestone
- Longhouse
- Lunchroom
- Marketplace
- Mealtime
- Meantime
- Moonlight
- Mudslide
- Needlepoint
- Newsflash
- Newspaper
- Newspeak
- Newsprint
- Newsreader
- Newsreel
- Newsroom
- Newsstand
- Newsvendor
- Nightlife
- Northeast
- Notebook
- Oatmeal
- Pancake
- Peppermint
- Pinstripe
- Plaything
- Playtime
- Playwright
- Popcorn
- Pullback
- Railroad
- Railway
- Rainbow
- Raincoat
- Raincoat
- Raindrop
- Rainfall
- Rainforest
- Rainstorm
- Rattlesnake
- Rulebook
- Salesman
- Sandstone
- Sandstorm
- Saucepan
- Scapegoat
- Scarecrow
- schoolboy
- Schoolchild
- Schooldays
- Schoolgirl
- Schoolhouse
- Schoolhouse
- Schoolmarm
- Schoolmaster
- Schoolmate
- Schoolmistress
- Schoolteacher
- Schoolwork
- Schoolyard
- Seashell
- Shorthand
- Sidekick
- Sidelight
- Sideline
- Sidestroke
- Sideswipe
- Silversmith
- Skateboard
- Skateboarding
- Skatepark
- Sketchpad
- Softball
- Southwest
- Spokeswoman
- Sportscast
- Sportsman
- Sportsmanship
- Sportsperson
- Sportswoman
- Standby
- Storeroom
- Storyboard
- Subway
- Sunbathing
- Sunbeam
- Sunbed
- Sunblock
- Sunburn
- Sundae
- Sundeck
- Sundial
- Sundown
- Sundress
- Sunflower
- Sunflower
- Sunglasses
- Sunglasses
- Sunlamp
- Sunlight
- Sunrise
- Sunroof
- Sunroom
- Sunscreen
- Sunset
- Sunshade
- Sunshade
- Sunshine
- Sunspot
- Sunstroke
- Superbug
- Supercharger
- Supercharger
- Superego
- Superego
- superfood
- Superglue
- Superhero
- Superhighway
- Superhuman
- Superman
- Supermodel
- Superpower
- Supersaver
- Superstructure
- superstructure
- Supertanker
- Supertanker
- supertanker
- Supertitle
- Supertitle
- Supertitle
- Superuser
- Superuser
- Supervisor
- Superwoman
- Superwoman
- Superwoman
- Sweetmeat
- Switchback
- Switchblade
- Switchboard
- Tablecloth
- Takeover
- Tapeworm
- Taxicab
- Taxidermist
- Taxidermy
- Taxpayer
- Teacake
- Teacup
- Teakettle
- Teamwork
- Tearaway
- Teardrop
- teaspoon
- Teenager
- Textbook
- Thunderstorm
- Toothpaste
- Toothpick
- Toothpick
- Topcoat
- Topcoat
- Touchdown
- Touchline
- Touchpad
- Touchstone
- Township
- Townspeople
- Towpath
- Towrope
- Tracksuit
- Troubleshooter
- Typewriter
- Underachiever
- Underbelly
- Underbrush
- Undercarriage
- Underclass
- Underclass
- Underclothes
- Undercoat
- Undercurrent
- Underdog
- Underdog
- Undergarment
- Undergarment
- Undergraduate
- Undergraduate
- Underground
- Undergrowth
- Undergrowth
- Underling
- Underpants
- Underpants
- Underpass
- Underpass
- Underpinning
- Undershirt
- Underside
- Upbringing
- Update
- Upkeep
- Upland
- Uplift
- Uplighter
- Upload
- Uptake
- Username
- Viewpoint
- Wallpaper
- Washcloth
- Washroom
- Washstand
- Wastepaper
- Watchman
- Watchword
- Watercolour
- Watercourse
- Watercourse
- Watercress
- Waterfall
- Waterfall
- Waterfowl
- Waterfront
- Waterhole
- Watermark
- Watermelon
- Watermill
- Watermill
- Waterpower
- Waterpower
- Waterproof
- Watershed
- Waterspout
- Waterway
- Waterwheel
- Waterworks
- Waveband
- Wavelength
- Waxwork
- Weatherboarding
- Weatherman
- Whitebait
- Whitebait
- Whiteboard
- Whitehall
- Whitewash
- Wholefood
- Woodland
- Workshop
- Worldwide
- Yearbook
Example of Hyphenated Compound Nouns
- Air-Rifle
- Art-House
- Back-Stabber
- Bed-Wetting
- Belles-Lettres
- Bell-Pull
- Bell-Push
- Bell-Ringer
- Blue-Black
- Blue-Blooded
- Blue-Black
- Blue-Sky
- Body Odor
- Book Token
- Brain-Training
- Button-Fly
- Candy-Ass
- Car-Pooling
- Catch-Up
- Claw-Back
- Court Martial
- Cross-Contamination
- Cross-Dresser
- Cross-Dressing
- Cross-Examination
- Cross-Examiner
- Cross-Fertilization
- Cross-Hatching
- Cross-Promotion
- Cross-Reference
- Cross-Section
- Cross-Selling
- Cross-Stitch
- Cross-Trainer
- Cross-Training
- Crowd-Puller
- Crowd-Puller
- Dining-Room
- Double-Booking
- Double-Dealing
- Ear-Piercing
- End-User
- Eye-Opener
- Faint-Hearted
- Father-In-Law
- Fire-Raiser
- Fire-Raiser
- Fire-raising
- First-aider
- Fly-by
- Flying-post
- Free-hold
- Game-changer
- Get-together
- Gold-digger
- Half-hour
- Hand-me-down
- Hang-gliding
- Hook-up
- Hostage-taker
- house-hunting
- house-room
- house-sitting
- House-warming
- Job-sharing
- Know-all
- Know-how
- Know-it-all
- Knuckle-dragger
- Lady-in-waiting
- Living-room
- Load-shedding
- Machine-gun
- Man-eater
- Mother-in-law
- Mother-of-pearl
- News-stand
- Old-timer
- One-horse race
- One-track mind
- One-Two Punch
- Parents-In-Law
- Pick-Up
- Pick-Up Truck
- Queue-Jumping
- River-Bed
- Roll-Over
- Sell-Off
- Side-Wheeler
- Spot-Welding
- Stand-In
- Sun-God
- Sun-God
- Sun-Up
- Tea-House
- Team-Mate
- Tie-Up
- Under-Secretary
- Walk-Through
- White-Water Rafting
- Write-Up
Examples of Open Compound Nouns (Nouns Written as Separate Words)
- Air Mattress
- Air Pocket
- Air Power
- Air Quotes
- Air Rage
- Air Raid
- Air Sac
- Air Terminal
- Age Group
- Atom Bomb
- Back Burner
- Back Copy
- Back Story
- Back Streets
- Back Talk
- Backup Software
- Bank Statement
- Banner Headline
- Beach Resort
- Beef Burger
- Beef Tomato
- Beer Belly
- Beer Garden
- Beer Goggles
- Beer Mat
- Bell Jar
- Bell Pepper
- Belly Button
- Belly Dance
- Belly Dancer
- Blood Bank
- Blue Cheese
- Blue Jeans
- Blue Law
- Button Mushroom
- Blue Pencil
- Blue Ribbon
- Blue Tit
- Blue Baby
- Body Language
- Body Snatcher
- Body Stocking
- Boiled Sweet
- Boiler Suit
- Boiling Point
- Boom Box
- Bowler Hat
- Boxing Day
- Boxing Gloves
- Boxing Ring
- Box Junction
- Box Lunch
- Box Office
- Box Spanner
- Box Spring
- Boy Band
- Boyfriend
- Butter Bean
- Brain Death
- Brain Power
- Brain Trust
- Brake Block
- Brake Cable
- Brake Light
- Brake Pedal
- Brake Pedal
- Branch Line
- Brand Name
- Branding Iron
- Brandy Butter
- Brandy Snap
- Butternut Squash
- Can Opener
- Candied Peel
- Candy Floss
- Canned Laughter
- Canned Music
- Cannon Ball
- Cannon Fodder
- Car Ferry
- Car Pool
- Card Vote
- Cargo Pants
- Caring Profession
- Cart Track
- Cartridge Paper
- Cartridge Pen
- Cash Bar
- Cash Card
- Cash Crop
- Cash Desk
- Cash Flow
- Cash Machine
- Cash Register
- Cheese Knife
- Chelsea Tractor
- Chemical Element
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemical Equation
- Chemical Formula
- Chemical Reaction
- Chemical Warfare
- Chemical Weapon
- Cold Cream
- Common Room
- Common Sense
- Court Shoe
- Crown Colony
- Crown Court
- Crown Jewels
- Crown Prince
- Crown Princess
- Crown Prosecutor
- Crowned Head
- Crow’s Feet
- Cruise Missile
- Cruise Ship
- Crumple Zone
- Crush Barrier
- Cryptic Crossword
- Crystal Ball
- Cub Reporter
- Cube Root
- Cuckoo Clock
- Cuddly Toy
- Damage Control
- Day Boy
- Day Care
- Dead Air
- Dead Loss
- Dead Ringer
- Dead Weight
- Dead Wood
- Dead Zone
- Dish Rack
- Dish Soap
- Disk Drive
- Egg Roll
- Egg Timer
- Egg White
- Electric Shock
- Eye Contact
- Eye Shadow
- Eye Socket
- Eye Socket
- Figure Of Speech
- Fire Hydrant
- Fire Plug
- Fire Plug
- Fire Screen
- Fire Station
- Fire Trail
- Fire Truck
- Firing Squad
- First Aid
- First Class
- First Cousin
- First Fleeter
- First Fruit
- First Lady
- First Language
- First Light
- First Mate
- First Name
- First Night
- First Offender
- First Officer
- First Principles
- First Refusal
- First Strike
- Fish Farm
- Fish Finger
- Fish Kettle
- Fish Knife
- Fish Oil
- Fish Slice
- Fish Slice
- Fish Tank
- Fishing Line
- Foot Brake
- Foot Soldier
- Football Pools
- Grand Opera
- Grand Piano
- Grand Prix
- Grand Total
- Granny Flat
- Granny Knot
- Grass Widow
- Hand Luggage
- Hands Free
- Health Authority
- Health Center
- Health Farm
- Health Food
- Health Insurance
- Health Service
- Health Visitor
- Hearing Aid
- Home Movie
- Home Office
- Home Town
- Home Truth
- Honey Trap
- Horse Chestnut
- Horse Racing
- Horse Riding
- Horse Trailer
- House Husband
- House Journal
- House Lights
- House Lights
- House Martin
- House Martin
- Household Name
- Household Word
- Housing Association
- Housing Benefit
- Housing Estate
- Housing Project
- Identity Theft
- Inner Ear
- Insider Trading
- Inverted Commas
- Job Description
- Joint Family
- Junk Mail
- Key Ring
- Key Signature
- Kidney Bean
- Kidney Machine
- Kidney Stone
- Nervous System
- Nuclear Family
- Off Day
- Oil Painting
- Operation Room
- Oxygen Mask
- Pep Talk
- Pepper Pot
- Plea Bargaining
- Power Walking
- Press Release
- Question Tag
- Rain Check
- Rain Gauge
- Rain Water
- Remote Access
- River Bank
- River Boat
- Rubber Stamp
- Sailing Boat
- Sailor Suit
- Sand Trap
- Sandwich Board
- Sandwich Course
- Sausage Balloon
- Sausage Dog
- Sausage Meat
- School Bus
- School Leaver
- School Leaver
- Science Park
- Secondary School
- Side Mirror
- Side Plate
- Side View
- Skating Rink
- Skeleton Key
- Skeleton Service
- Skeleton Staff
- Sketch Map
- Soft Drink
- Soft Fruit
- Soft Furnishings
- Soft Landing
- Soft Palate
- Soft Sell
- Soft Spot
- Sore Point
- Sports Car
- Sports Center
- Sports Jacket
- Sun Hat
- Sun Hat
- Sunday Best
- Sunday Driver
- Sunday Paper
- Sunday School
- Super Bowl
- Super Grass
- Supply Chain
- Supply Teacher
- Support Group
- Support Network
- Sweet Pea
- Sweet Pepper
- Sweet Potato
- Sweet Shop
- Sweet Tooth
- Swim Bladder
- Swimming Baths
- Swimming Pool
- Swing Bridge
- Swing Door
- Swing Voter
- Swipe Card
- Switchboard Operator
- Tax Relief
- Tax Return
- Tax Shelter
- Tax Year
- Tea Bag
- Tea Ball
- Tea Break
- Tea Caddy
- Tea Garden
- Tea Party
- Team Player
- Top Dog
- Top Hat
- Touch Screen
- Tow Truck
- Trace Element
- Tracing Paper
- Track Meet
- Track Record
- Track Shoe
- Tracking Station
- Travel Agency
- Upper Case
- Upper Class
- Upper House
- Video Game
- Virtual Reality
Examples of Open Compound Nouns that Start W
- Waste Product
- Wastepaper Basket
- Wasting Disease
- Water Bed
- Water Bed
- Water Bill
- Water Bird
- Water Biscuit
- Water Bottle
- Water Bottle
- Water Buffalo
- Water Butt
- Water Cannon
- Water Closet
- Water Cooler
- Water Feature
- Water Filter
- Water Fountain
- Water Ice
- Water Jump
- Water Lily
- Water Main
- Water Main
- Water Meadow
- Water Park
- Water Pistol
- Water Polo
- Water Sports
- Water Supply
- Water Table
- Watering Can
- Watering Hole
- Waxed Paper
- Weather Forecast
- Weather Forecaster
- Weather Station
- Weather Vane
- White Christmas
- White Elephant
- White Flag
- White Flight
- White Goods
- White Heat
- White Hope
- White Horses
- White Meat
- White Paper
- White Pointer
- White Sauce
- White Spirit
- White Trash
- White Water
- White Wedding
- World War
- Yellow Line
- Youth Club
- Zero Hour
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