Watch: What are compound words?
Compound words are formed when two or more separate words are joined together.
This creates a brand new word that often has a new meaning.
For example:
- Super and Hero = Superhero
- Tooth and Brush = Toothbrush
- Play and Ground = Playground
Watch this short clip to see more examples of compound words.
So, I heard you guys have got a new trick?
Urgh! Yuck!
Ok.
That is quite impressive, a starfish!
What's next I wonder?
A foot and a ball.
Ah.
I think I see a pattern emerging.
It's a football.
Some snow and a man.
Could it be a snowman?
So, there you have it.
Two words that fit together to make a new one are called compound words.
Hmm.
How about… rattlesnake?
Top tip!
Be careful as not all words can be joined together to make compound words.
Activity 1
Use the pictures to make the compound words shown.
Activity 2
Activity 3
Look at the two lists of words.
Match a word from List 1 to a word from List 2 to make a real compound word.
Write the new words you create on paper. The first one is done for you.
| List 1 | List 2 |
|---|---|
| Rain | brush |
| Super | fly |
| Post | drum |
| Butter | bow |
| Sun | corn |
| Pop | flower |
| Ear | star |
| Paint | box |
Activity 4
Compound words have a different meaning to the separate words from which they are made. Show your understanding of this by completing the activity below.
- Choose one compound word from Activity 3
- Write three sentences
- Sentence one should include one of the separate words.
- Sentence two should contain the other separate word.
- Sentence three should use the compound word.
For example:
If your compound word is Sunflower.
- The sun was shining all day.
- She wore a flower in her hair.
- The sunflower grew very tall.
- Now choose another compound word and do the same again.
Activity 5
Complete the ‘Compound Word Quiz’ to see how much you have learnt about compound words.
