What Are The Types of Compound Words?

Compound words are words that, when combined, form a new word with a new meaning. However, did you know that there are different types of compound words? It’s true! Compound words can be grouped into three categories, including the ones below.

Closed Compound Words: These are compound words written as a single word without any spaces, such as “football,” “notebook,” or “blueberry.”

Hyphenated Compound Words: These compound words are formed by connecting two or more words with hyphens, such as “mother-in-law,” “well-being,” or “six-pack.”

Open Compound Words: These compound words are formed by combining two or more words but are written separately, such as “ice cream,” “post office,” or “high school.”

Compound Word Lists for All Ages!

We’ve included a variety of compound word lists for you to provide your students! We’ve included the following in your resource download.

Level 1 Compound Word List:

In this printable word list, lower elementary students will discover a variety of simple and easy-to-understand compound words. From “backpack” to “inside” and “rainbow,” these words are carefully selected to introduce young learners to the concept of compound words without overwhelming them with difficult-to-read text.

Level 2 Compound Word List

The level 2 word list offers a more extensive selection of compound words, catering to students ready to explore a broader range of vocabulary. Students will encounter more difficult two-syllable compound words like “skateboard,” “moonlight,” and “breakfast”.

Level 3 Compound Word List

For upper years needing a challenge, the word list features complex compound words that will broaden their vocabulary and deepen their understanding of word formation. From “barbershop” to “lumberjack,” “overboard,” and beyond, students will explore more advanced multisyllable compound words that are commonly used in everyday language.

Open Compound Word List

Open compound words are written with spaces between the individual words. For example, ‘theme park’ and ‘roller coaster’ are open compound words. This printable list includes a variety of open compounds for students to choose from.

Closed Compound Word List

Closed compound words are your traditional compound words. They are written without any spaces or hyphens between them. We have included an additional list of these as well.

Hyphenated Compound Word List

Hyphenated compound words are formed by combining two separate words with a hyphen. This compound word list showcases a variety of hyphenated compound words from various subject areas, giving students a variety of new words to use in their writing.

Download and Print Your Compound Word Lists Today!

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the Compound Word List PDF or the Google Slides version of this resource.

Even More Compound Word Printables!

Don’t go yet! We’ve got even more printable resources to help you teach your students about compound words. Make sure you check these out before you go!

teaching resource

Compound Words With Pictures - Word Wall

Combine words to make compound words and boost vocabulary skills with a printable combining words word wall.s.

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Compound Words Matching Game

Combine words to make compound words with a fun, printable Compound word game.

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Compound Words Poster Pack

Show your students examples of compound words with a pair of printable Compound Word Anchor Charts.