Compound Words
Grade 1 · English · Study Guide
Two small words join together to make one brand new word — that is the magic of compound words!
A compound word is made by joining two smaller words together to create one new word with a new meaning. For example, 'sun' + 'flower' = 'sunflower.' 'Rain' + 'bow' = 'rainbow.' 'Cup' + 'cake' = 'cupcake.' Each small word you already know, but when they are put together they create something new!
Compound words are everywhere in English. Look around and you will find them: 'backpack,' 'playground,' 'lunchbox,' 'bedroom,' 'toothbrush,' 'football.' When you see a long word, try splitting it in two — you might discover two familiar little words hiding inside!
The cool thing about compound words is that the meaning usually connects to the two parts. A 'sunflower' is a flower that faces the sun. A 'bookworm' is someone who loves books so much they are like a worm in a book. A 'raincoat' is a coat you wear in the rain. Knowing this trick helps you figure out new words!
| Word 1 | Word 2 | Compound Word | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| sun | flower | sunflower | A flower that turns toward the sun |
| rain | bow | rainbow | The colorful arc in the sky after rain |
| cup | cake | cupcake | A small cake baked in a cup-shaped mold |
| back | pack | backpack | A pack you carry on your back |
| tooth | brush | toothbrush | A brush you use to clean your teeth |
| book | worm | bookworm | Someone who loves reading |
| play | ground | playground | A ground (area) where you play |
Key terms
- compound word
- One word made by joining two smaller words together
- word parts
- The two smaller words that make up a compound word
Flashcards
- compound word
- Two smaller words joined to make one new word: sun + flower = sunflower
- sunflower
- Compound: sun + flower — a tall flower with a big yellow head that faces the sun
- rainbow
- Compound: rain + bow — the colorful arc you see after rain
- backpack
- Compound: back + pack — a bag you carry on your back
- toothbrush
- Compound: tooth + brush — the brush you use to clean your teeth
- playground
- Compound: play + ground — an area set up for playing
Practice questions
What compound word is made from 'rain' + 'coat'?
- rainhat
- raincoat
- wetcoat
- rainwear
Show answer
Answer: raincoat
Rain + coat = raincoat — a coat you wear to stay dry in the rain.
A compound word is made by joining two smaller words together.
Show answer
Answer: True
Compound words are formed by combining two whole smaller words into one: cup + cake = cupcake.
Which of these is a compound word?
- happy
- jumping
- sunshine
- quickly
Show answer
Answer: sunshine
Sunshine = sun + shine. Happy, jumping, and quickly are not compound words.
The compound word 'cupcake' is made from the words 'cup' and ___.
Show answer
Answer: cake
Cupcake = cup + cake. A small cake baked in a cup-shaped container.
Knowing the two parts of a compound word can help you figure out its meaning.
Show answer
Answer: True
The meaning of a compound word often connects to both parts — 'toothbrush' is a brush for teeth!
Fun facts
- The English language has more than 100,000 compound words — and new ones are invented all the time!
- Some compound words are written as two separate words ('ice cream'), some with a hyphen ('well-known'), and some as one solid word ('sunshine'). First graders mostly study the solid kind!
- The word 'butterfly' is a compound word — but nobody is totally sure whether it was originally 'butter' + 'fly' or named for something else entirely!
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