31 Compound Noun Examples That You Should Know

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A compound noun is made up of two or more existing words. Adjectives, verbs, prepositions and nouns can all be used as components for creating compound nouns. 

Let us take a look at some examples of compound nouns and their uses in sentences.

  Sentence Examples     Explanations  
1. The girl is yet to have a boyfriend with whom she can share every secrets.   Here, the compound noun, ‘boyfriend,’ is formed by using two words, ‘boy’ and ‘friend,’ which are originally nouns.    
2. The milkman comes daily to collect cow’s milk.   Here, the compound noun, ‘milkman,’ is formed by using two words, ‘milk’ and ‘man,’ which is also a combination of nouns.  
3. There is a hattrick chance for R. Singh in this match.   Here, the compound noun, ‘hattrick,’ is formed by using two words, ‘hat’ and ‘trick,’ which is also a combination of nouns.    
4. Rahul has cut a fashionable haircut today.   Here, the compound noun, ‘haircut,’ is formed by using two words, ‘hair’ and ‘cut,’ which is yet again a combination of nouns.  
5. It is your runtime; in that time, you must complete the hometask.     Here, the compound noun, ‘runtime,’ is formed by using two words, ‘run’ and ‘time,’ which is a combination of the noun phrase.    
6. A sweat-shirt will be an important cloth for us this winter.     Here, the compound noun, ‘sweat-shirt,’ is formed by using two words, ‘sweat’ and ‘shirt,’ which is a combination of nouns.    
7. He has to attain the house-party tomorrow.   Here, the compound noun, ‘house-party,’ is formed by using two words, ‘house’ and ‘party,’ which is also a combination of nouns.    
8. The man has chosen an item from the grab-bag suddenly.     Here, the compound noun, ‘grab-bag,’ is formed by using two words, ‘grab’ and ‘bag,’ which is also a combination of nouns.    
9. After the jump cut of my graduation, I was admitted to the Master’s Degree.     Here, the compound noun, ‘Master Degree’, is formed by using two words, ‘Master’ and ‘Degree,’ a combination of nouns.    
10. To forget others is the quick fix for misery.   Here, the compound noun, ‘quick fix,’ is formed by using two words, ‘quick’ and ‘fix,’ a combination of adjectives and nouns.  
11. I require easy-money from the bank for my business.     Here, the compound noun, ‘easy-money, is formed by using two words, ‘easy’ and ‘money,’ which is a combination of adjective and noun.    
12. Now it is time to close all activities in the office.   Here, the compound noun, ‘close all,’ is formed by using two words, ‘close’ and ‘all,’ which combine adjectives and adjectives.    
13. Jahangir is accused of court-martial for breaking military law.   Here, the compound noun, ‘military law,’ is formed by using two words, ‘military’ and ‘law,’ a combination of adjectives and nouns.  
14. Amit, you are trying to be a Jack-in-the-box in society.     Here, the compound noun, ‘jack-in-the-box,’ is formed by using more than two words, ‘jack, in, the’ and ‘box,’ which is a combination of noun and prepositional phrase.    
15. Anamika lives in the city-state of west Bengal.     Here, the compound noun, ‘city-state,’ is formed by using two words, ‘city’ and ‘state,’ a combination of nouns.  
16. My father is the General Secretary of R&D.   Here, the compound noun, ‘General Secretary,’ is formed by using two words, ‘General’ and ‘Secretary,’ a combination of adjectives and nouns.    
17. In the fair of Sagar Mela, West Bengal, I saw Merry-go-round.     Here, the compound noun, ‘Merry-go-round,’ is formed by using more than two words, ‘merry’ and ‘go-round.’    
Compound noun examples

Compound noun use

English Grammar has many uses for compound nouns with their different formation. Let us look at some examples of compound nouns with their uses.

  1. Open or special compound nouns- An open compound noun is formed without a space between two words.
  2. Hyphenated compound nouns- A hyphenated compound noun is formed by which the two words are separated using a hyphen.
  3. Closed or solid compound nouns- A closed or solid compound noun is made in which the two words do not have spaces or hyphens separating them. They are usually considered as a single word.

Let us find some compound nouns and their proper usages in sentences as given below.

Sentence Examples Structures Explanations
18. Students were tired as they did not feast at lunchtime.   Noun + Noun   Here, the compound noun, ‘lunchtime,’ is formed by using two words, ‘lunch’ and ‘time,’ a combination of nouns.  
19. The villages have gone under the water due to flash floods in the rainy season.   Verb + Noun   Here, the compound noun, ‘flash floods,’ is formed by using two words, ‘flash’ and ‘floods,’ a combination of verb and noun.    
20. In December, my family and I went to Manali for sightseeing.   Noun + Gerund   Here, the compound noun, ‘sightseeing,’ is formed by using two words, ‘sight’ and ‘seeing,’ which is a combination of noun and gerund.  
21. The thing is tiny that I need a Lookingglass.   Gerund + Noun   Here, the compound noun, ‘Lookingglass,’ is formed by using two words, ‘looking’ and ‘glass,’ a combination of gerund and noun.  
22. My Mother-in-law with my brother will come tomorrow to our house.    Noun+ Proposition + Noun   Here, the compound noun, ‘mother-in-law,’ is formed by using more than two words, ‘Mother’ and ‘-in-law,’ which is a combination of nouns and prepositions.  
23. Aniket was reading in his room until 1 P.M.   Noun + Prepositional Phrase   Here, the compound noun, ‘room until,’ is formed by using two words, ‘room’ and ‘until 1 P.M,’ a combination of noun and prepositional phrase.  
24. The older man inhabits far from downtown.   Preposition + Noun   Here, the compound noun, ‘downtown,’ is formed by using two words, ‘down’ and ‘town,’ a combination of prepositions and nouns.    
25. Ratan, don’t be a double agent in the class.   Adjective + Noun   Here, the compound noun, ‘double agent,’ is formed by using two words, ‘double’ and ‘agent,’ a combination of adjectives and nouns.  
26. South Korea is one of the legends football teams in Asia.   Nationality    Here, the compound noun, ‘South Korea’ is formed by using two words, that denotes nationality.
27. Adarsh, don’t pretend to be the Prime Minister in the class.   Title   Here, the compound noun, ‘Prime Minister,’ is formed by using two words, ‘Prime’ and ‘Minister,’ which is also a combination of adjective and noun.  
28. My brother went to the Middle East in Europe.      Place Here, the compound noun, ‘Middle East,’ is formed by using two words, ‘Middle’ and ‘East,’ which is also a combination of adjective and noun.  
29. The soft sound of the pitter-patter of rain on the roof is heard.   Repetitive Words/Rhyming Words   Here, the compound noun, ‘pitter-patter,’ is formed by using two words, ‘pitter’ and ‘patter,’ which is a combination of nouns.  
30. An overthrow creates a penalty at the end of the match.   Preposition+ Verb   Here, the compound noun, ‘overthrow,’ is formed by using two words, ‘over’ and ‘throw,’ a combination of prepositions and verbs.  
31. We should not breakdown down; we are in trouble.   Verb+ Preposition   Here, the compound noun, ‘breakdown,’ is formed by using two words, ‘break’ and ‘down,’ which is also a combination of verb and preposition.  
Compound noun use

Conclusion-

From the above discussion, we have concluded that compound nouns are made of two or more existing words, which are considered as one.