A compound noun is a noun that is made up of two or more words. Most
compound nouns in English are formed by nouns modified by other nouns or
adjectives.
For example:
The words tooth and paste are each nouns in their own right, but if you join them together they form a new word - toothpaste.
The word black is an adjective and board is a noun, but if you join them together they form a new word - blackboard.
In both these example the first word modifies or describes the
second word, telling us what kind of object or person it is, or what its
purpose is. And the second part identifies the object or person in
question.
Compound nouns can also be formed using the following combinations of words:-
| Noun | + | Noun | toothpaste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjective | + | Noun | monthly ticket |
| Verb | + | Noun | swimming pool |
| Preposition | + | Noun | underground |
| Noun | + | Verb | haircut |
| Noun | + | Preposition | hanger on |
| Adjective | + | Verb | dry-cleaning |
| Preposition | + | Verb | output |
The two parts may be written in a number of ways:-
1. Sometimes the two words are joined together.
Example: tooth + paste = toothpaste | bed + room = bedroom
Example: tooth + paste = toothpaste | bed + room = bedroom
2. Sometimes they are joined using a hyphen.
Example: check-in
Example: check-in
3. Sometimes they appear as two separate words.
Example: full moon
Example: full moon