What are compound words?
Compound words are made of two words together, forming a new word with a new meaning. Often the meaning of the compound word is related to the two words that form it. For example:
- bathroom = A room where you can take a bath
- mailbox = A box in which you receive mail
- toothbrush = A brush that you use on your teeth
Improve your English vocabulary and practice your pronunciation with these compound words around the house:
armchair
An armchair is a large, comfortable chair that has supports on the sides to rest your arms
bathtub
bookcase / bookshelf
carport
dishwasher
Putting the dishes in is called loading the dishwasher
doorbell
The action of making the doorbell sound is called “ringing the doorbell”
doormat
Idiom: If you describe a person as a “doormat,” it means the person is very passive and lets other people control/manipulate them.
doorknob
The “k” in “doorknob” is silent!
driveway
The driveway connects the street to the garage.
fireplace
hallway
This can be called “hall” or “hallway.”
housework
“Housework” includes all the tasks to maintain the house: cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, etc.
Don’t get housework confused with homework (academic work you do at home).
A married woman who doesn’t have a job outside the house, and stays home and takes care of the house (and children, if any) is called a housewife.
A person who you pay to do your housework is called a housekeeper or maid.
mousetrap
pillowcase
A “pillowcase” is a covering for your pillow.
potholder
Use “potholders” in the kitchen to protect your hands when you need to touch a pot that is hot.
screwdriver
skylight
A skylight is like a window in the ceiling
tablecloth
A “tablecloth” provides protection and decoration for a table.
wallpaper
wheelbarrow
