What is a Compound Noun? Definition, Types & Examples
Last Updated : 09 Apr, 2025
Compound nouns are used to identify a class of people, places, things or a particular name. It is an important topic for all students, especially for those who are preparing for competitive examinations. One or more questions from this topic are asked in every competitive examination. This article will provide you with an introduction to compound nouns, types, and examples of compound nouns.
What is a Compound Noun?
A compound noun is a type of noun that is formed by combining two or more words to create a new noun. There are three types of compound nouns, including Open or spaced compound nouns, hyphenated compound nouns, and closed or solid compound nouns.
Definition of Compound Noun
"Compound Noun is a noun that is made with two or more words together."
We can also say - "Compound Nouns are made by joining more than one word together."
Also Read: Parts of Speech
Types of Compound Nouns With Examples
There are three main types of Compound Nouns.
1. Closed or Solid Compound Nouns
2. Spaced or Open Compound Nouns
3. Hyphenated Compound Nouns
Closed or Solid Compound Nouns
Closed or Solid Compound Noun is made up by joining two words without any spaces or hyphens.
Examples: Sunflower, Football, Bathroom, Rainfall etc.
Spaced or Open Compound Nouns
It is made up of joining two words with a space.
Examples : Cricket bat, Fast food, Ice cream, Rain forest etc.
Hyphenated Compound Noun
Hyphenated Compound Noun is made up by joining two or more words by a hyphen.
Examples : Mother-in-law, Self - esteem, Father-in-law etc.
Compound Nouns Examples
Washing machine, Greenhouse, Dining - table, Bus stop, Swimming pool, Sunrise, Sunset, Blackboard, Whiteboard, Mother - in - law, Output, Check - out, Check-in, Haircut, Hotspot, Smartphone, Hardware, Long lasting, Underline, Underground, Shutdown, Input, Overthrow.
Compound Nouns can be formed by combining different parts of speech such as noun, verb, preposition and adjective. Here we form compound Nouns with the help of all parts of speech. A compound noun can be a common noun, proper noun or an abstract noun.
Noun + Noun
| Noun | Noun | Compound Noun |
|---|
| Bus | Stop | Bus stop |
| Foot | Ball | Football |
| Air | Port | Airport |
| Basket | Ball | Basketball |
| Railway | Station | Railway station |
Noun + Verb
| Noun | Verb | Compound Noun |
|---|
| Sun | Rise | Sunrise |
| Sun | Set | Sunset |
| Foot | Print | Footprint |
| Snow | Fall | Snowfall |
| Rain | Fall | Rainfall |
Noun + Preposition
| Noun | Preposition | Compound Noun |
|---|
| Mother | in - law | Mother - in - law |
| Son | in - law | Son - in - law |
| Brother | in - law | Brother - in - law |
Preposition + Verb
| Preposition | Verb | Compound Noun |
|---|
| In | Put | Input |
| Out | Put | Output |
| In | Take | Intake |
| Over | Throw | Overthrow |
Verb + Preposition
| Verb | Preposition | Compound Noun |
|---|
| Check | In | Check-in |
| Check | Out | Check - out |
| Break | Down | Breakdown |
| Build | Up | Build up |
| Shut | Down | Shutdown |
Preposition + Noun
| Preposition | Noun | Compound Noun |
|---|
| Under | Line | Underline |
| Under | Ground | Underground |
| Off | Shore | Offshore |
| Up | Stairs | Upstairs |
| Over | Night | Overnight |
Adjective + Noun
| Adjective | Noun | Compound Noun |
|---|
| Black | Board | Blackboard |
| White | Board | Whiteboard |
| Hard | Ware | Hardware |
| Hot | Spot | Hotspot |
| Soft | Ware | Software |
Adjective + Verb
| Adjective | Verb | Compound Noun |
|---|
| Long | Lasting | Long-lasting |
| Ever | Lasting | Everlasting |
| High | Light | Highlight |
| Long | Awaited | Long awaited |
List of Compound Nouns
Washing machine, Greenhouse, Dining - table, Bus stop, Swimming pool, Sunrise, Sunset, Blackboard, Whiteboard, Mother - in - law, Output, Check - out , Check - in , Haircut , Hotspot, Smartphone , Hardware, Long lasting, Underline, Underground, Shutdown, Input, Overthrow.
Rules for Compound Noun
1. When the compound noun is singular or a single word, make it plural by adding s to the end.
Examples :
Underline - underlines
Hotspot - hotspots
2. When the compound noun is hyphenated or separated, make it plural by adding s to the word that is plural.
Example :
Mother-in-law = Two mothers-in-law
Difference Between Compound Nouns and Collective Noun
A collective noun is a single word which refers to a group or a team and that can be singular or plural.
Examples :
flock = A group of birds
Troop = A group of army
Team = A group of player
A compound noun is made up of more than one word.
Examples :
Blackboard = black + board
Ice cream = Ice + cream
Overnight = over + night
Compound Noun Vs Collective Noun
| Compound Nouns | Collective Nouns |
|---|
| Nouns formed by combining two or more words to create a new meaning. | Nouns that refer to a group of individuals or things as a single entity. |
| Can be open (space between words), hyphenated, or closed (words joined). | Usually a single word that encapsulates a group of individuals or things. |
| Open: post office, Hyphenated: mother-in-law, Closed: toothpaste | Audience, class, flock, team |
| Denote a specific type of object, concept, or entity by combining elements. | Represent a group or collection of people, animals, or things. |
| Can have singular or plural forms, with pluralization typically on the main noun. | Treated as singular when referring to the group as a whole, but can also take a plural verb in some contexts (especially in British English) to emphasize individual members. |
| On the combined meaning created by the word parts. | On the collective aspect of the group as a single unit. |
Comound Noun Exercises
Read the sentences carefully and identify the compound nouns given below.
1. Write something on the blackboard.
2. My teacher had a heart attack.
3. They swim in the swimming pool.
4. Rahul's father-in-law went to America last month.
5. My friend booked a dining - table for his colleagues in a restaurant.
6. In 2022, Argentina won the FIFA football match.
7. Do not drive without a driving licence.
8. Please underline the word.
9. Due to inflation, many Chinese companies shut down their company.
10. She is my mother-in-law.
Answer
1. blackboard
2. heart attack
3. swimming pool
4. father - in - law
5. dining - table
6. football
7. driving licence.
8. underline
9. shutdown
10. mother-in-law.
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Preposition
Interjection