Compound Nouns: Definition, Types and Examples

Compound nouns are made by putting two or more words together to create a new noun with a special meaning. They can be written in different ways: all together as one word. By combining different kinds of words, compound nouns help us express specific ideas more clearly.

Compound Nouns Definition:

A compound nouns is a noun that is made up of two or more words combined together to create a single noun with a specific meaning.

She bought a new toothbrush.

The firefighter arrived quickly.

My mother-in-law visited us.

 

Types of Compound Nouns:

Compound nouns come in three main types:

 

Closed Form:

A closed form has two or more words are combined into one single word.

I need to buy a new toothbrush.

She wrote in her notebook during the lecture.

Hyphenated Form:
A hyphenated form has two or more words are connected with hyphens.

They are working on a well-being program at the office.

The high-speed train arrived on time.

Open Form:
A open form has two or more words are used together with spaces, but they act as a single noun.

We enjoyed a bowl of ice cream after dinner.

The coffee shop is just around the corner.

Forming Of Coumpound Nouns:

I will brief explanation of how compound nouns are formed in very easy way:

Noun + Noun

A combination of two nouns where the first noun describes the type of the second noun (tooth + brush). Noun + Verb A noun and a verb combined to describe the act or result related to the noun (hair + cut). Noun + Gerund A noun combined with a gerund (-ing form of a verb) to describe a place related to the noun (swim + -ing + pool). Gerund + Noun A gerund combined with a noun to describe a license for driving (driving + license). Noun + Preposition + Noun A noun combined with a preposition and another noun to describe a place (post + office). Preposition + Verb A preposition combined with a verb to create a noun describing a view or perspective (out + look). Verb + Preposition A verb combined with a preposition to describe a significant advance (break + through). Preposition + Noun A preposition combined with a noun to describe clothing worn underneath other clothes (under + wear). Adjective + Noun An adjective and a noun combined to describe a board that is black (black + board). Adjective + Verb An adjective combined with a verb to describe a method of writing quickly (short + hand). Compound Nouns Examples: She used a new toothbrush. I visited the coffee shop. The firefighter arrived on time. His mother-in-law called today. We enjoyed a bowl of ice cream. He bought a new notebook. The swimming pool was refreshing. She wears a raincoat in bad weather. They visited the post office. The blackboard needs cleaning. You May Also Like This Parts of Speech in English Grammar Nouns Definition and Usage Example sentences of Nouns Types of Nouns With Examples Collective nouns with Examples