Compound Nouns

QUOTE

A compound noun is a noun that is made with two or more words. A compound noun is usually [noun+noun] TENNIS SHOE, BEDROOM; or [adjective + noun] FULL MOON, WHITEBOARD. But there are other combinations.

END QUOTE

This list of compound nouns demonstrates that compound nouns can be hyphenated words, distinct individual words, one one word without gaps. Backbone of list was retrieved from https://www.focus.olsztyn.pl/compound-nouns-list.html on September 23, 2022. Additional compound nouns have been added over time as examples come up in my classes.

address book

air conditioner

alarm clock

assembly line

back-seat driver

bank account

bird of prey

blood donor

computer hardware

computer software development

electronic circuits

heat sensing devices

bride-to-be

bother-in-law

burglar alarm/security alarm

can opener

his car keys

cover-up

dining room

driving licence

fairy tale

movie star

fire engine

fork-left truck

frying pan

heart attack

high school

human being

onlooker

Monday meeting

musical instrument

nervous breakdown

old hand

two-parent family

parking meter

passerby

penpal

runner-up

T-shirt

tea bag

telephone number

traveler’s check

washing machine

weekend classes

X-ray

youth hostel

zebra crossing