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.

Top tip!

Be careful as not all words can be joined together to make compound words.

Use the pictures to make the compound words shown.

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.

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.

1. Choose one compound word from Activity 3
2. 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.

3. Now choose another compound word and do the same again.

Complete the ‘Compound Word Quiz’ to see how much you have learnt about compound words.