Compounding involves combining two bases to create a new
word. For instance, the bases head and ache combine to form headache. Further examples of compounding include:
chair + person = chairperson
green + house = greenhouse
help + line = helpline
key + board = keyboard
life + style = lifestyle
match + box = matchbox
news + paper = newspaper
post + card = postcard
Many adjectives are formed by compounding a noun with the -ed or-ing form of a verb, as set out below.
Noun -ed/-ing Verb Adjective
drug + induced = drug-induced
poverty + stricken = poverty-stricken
battery + operated = battery-operated
stress + related = stress-related
rat + infested = rat-infested
award + winning = award-winning
eye + catching = eye-catching
fun + loving = fun-loving
penny + pinching = penny-pinching
time + consuming = time-consuming
Blending is similar to compounding, except that only parts of existing
words are combined to create a new word. For example, the word
camcorder is formed by combining cam (from camera) with corder (fromrecorder).
Other examples of blending include:
bionic = biological + electronic
biopic = biographical + picture
Britpop = British + pop music
docudrama = documentary + drama
docusoap = documentary + soap opera
ecoterrorism = ecology + terrorism
edutainment = education + entertainment
Eurovision = European + television
e-zine = electronic magazine
heliport = helicopter + airport
infotainment = information + entertainment
motel = motor + hotel
netiquette = Internet + etiquette
netizen = Internet + citizen
paratroopers = parachute + troopers
pulsar = pulsating + star
smog = smoke + fog
word. For instance, the bases head and ache combine to form headache. Further examples of compounding include:
chair + person = chairperson
green + house = greenhouse
help + line = helpline
key + board = keyboard
life + style = lifestyle
match + box = matchbox
news + paper = newspaper
post + card = postcard
Many adjectives are formed by compounding a noun with the -ed or-ing form of a verb, as set out below.
Noun -ed/-ing Verb Adjective
drug + induced = drug-induced
poverty + stricken = poverty-stricken
battery + operated = battery-operated
stress + related = stress-related
rat + infested = rat-infested
award + winning = award-winning
eye + catching = eye-catching
fun + loving = fun-loving
penny + pinching = penny-pinching
time + consuming = time-consuming
Blending is similar to compounding, except that only parts of existing
words are combined to create a new word. For example, the word
camcorder is formed by combining cam (from camera) with corder (fromrecorder).
Other examples of blending include:
bionic = biological + electronic
biopic = biographical + picture
Britpop = British + pop music
docudrama = documentary + drama
docusoap = documentary + soap opera
ecoterrorism = ecology + terrorism
edutainment = education + entertainment
Eurovision = European + television
e-zine = electronic magazine
heliport = helicopter + airport
infotainment = information + entertainment
motel = motor + hotel
netiquette = Internet + etiquette
netizen = Internet + citizen
paratroopers = parachute + troopers
pulsar = pulsating + star
smog = smoke + fog