Compound nouns are words made by combining two separate words to create a new meaning — like toothbrush or raincoat. If you’ve ever wondered why some combinations make sense and others don’t, you’re not alone. Many English learners find compound nouns tricky because they don’t always follow obvious rules. In this guide, you’ll get a clear definition, learn the three main types of compound nouns, and explore real-life examples that will make using them in writing and speaking much easier. We’ve also included a printable list of 50+ compound nouns to help you build your vocabulary with confidence.
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50 Compound Nouns and Examples
Below is a comprehensive compound nouns list showing the compound word followed by a short example sentence using Muslim names. These nouns are either open (two separate words), hyphenated, or closed (joined together).
- Airport
- Airplane
- Alarm clock
- Apartment building
- Apple pie
- Babysitter
- Backache
- Backpack
- Ballroom
- Bank account
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bathroom
- Bedroom
- Billboard
- Birthday cake
- Blackboard
- Bookcase
- Bookstore
- Bus stop
- Businessman
- Car seat
- Car wash
- Cardboard
- Cellphone
- Check-in
- Check-out
- Cheesecake
- Childcare
- Classroom
- Classmate
- Coffee table
- Cookbook
- Cowboy
- Credit card
- Cupcake
- Daydream
- Deadline
- Dining room
- Dishwasher
- Doorbell
- Doorway
- Downtown
- Driveway
- Dustbin
- Earthquake
- Earring
- Eyeglasses
- Farmhouse
- Firefighter
- Fireplace
- Firewood
- Fish tank
- Flagpole
- Flashlight
- Footpath
- Football
- Footstep
- Framework
- Friendship
- Front door
- Garage door
- Garbage can
- Gift shop
- Girlfriend
- Greenhouse
- Hairbrush
- Haircut
- Handbag
- Handshake
- Headache
- Headphone
- Headlight
- Helicopter
- High school
- Highway
- Homework
- Housekeeper
- Ice cream
- Ink bottle
- Internet café
- Jacket pocket
- Jailbreak
- Jellyfish
- Keyboard
- Keyhole
- Kickoff
- Kitchen sink
- Kite runner
- Ladybug
- Laptop
- Laughter track
- Lawmaker
- Lighthouse
- Lifeboat
- Lifeguard
- Lighthouse
- Lipstick
- Mailbox
- Mailman
- Makeup
- Marketplace
- Milkshake
- Mirror image
- Moonlight
- Moonwalk
- Motorbike
- Motorcycle
- Nail polish
- Newspaper
- Nightstand
- Notebook
- Office chair
- Oil lamp
- Online shop
- Overcoat
- Paintbrush
- Pancake
- Parking lot
- Passport
- Password
- Paycheck
- Peanut butter
- Penknife
- Photo album
- Photocopy
- Photographer
- Pickup truck
- Pin number
- Playground
- Postcard
- Postman
- Printer cable
- Pushchair
- Railroad
- Raincoat
- Rainfall
- Raindrop
- Rainbow
- Reading lamp
- Roadmap
- Roadsign
- Rock band
- Roommate
- Sandcastle
- Sandwich
- Schoolbag
- Schoolboy
- Schoolgirl
- Schoolhouse
- Screenshot
- Seatbelt
- Shopping cart
- Shoelace
- Showroom
- Skateboard
- Skyscraper
- Sleeping bag
- Slingshot
- Smartwatch
- Snowball
- Snowman
- Softball
- Software
- Soundtrack
- Spaceship
- Spotlight
- Staircase
- Starfish
- Stopwatch
- Strawberry
- Sunbeam
- Sunglasses
- Sunlight
- Sunset
- Sunshine
- Superhero
- Sweater vest
- Tablecloth
- Tablelamp
- Tailbone
- Teacup
- Teaspoon
- Textbook
- Thunderstorm
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Toolbox
- Traffic light
- Trash can
- Treehouse
- T-shirt
- Typewriter
- Wallpaper
- Washing machine
- Watchdog
- Wheelchair
- Windscreen
Common Compound Nouns List (20+ Everyday Examples)
These are the most frequently used compound nouns in daily life.
| Compound Noun | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| backpack | Yasir packed his backpack before school. |
| bookshop | Asma went to the bookshop near her house. |
| driveway | Farhan parked his car in the driveway. |
| homework | Layla completed her homework on time. |
| raincoat | Amin wore a raincoat during the storm. |
| wristwatch | Noor gifted a wristwatch to her brother. |
| firework | The fireworks scared Mariam’s cat. |
| teacup | Zayd broke his teacup accidentally. |
| sunflower | Fatimah planted a sunflower in her backyard. |
| hairbrush | Usama lost his hairbrush at the hotel. |
| bookshelf | Yasmin arranged the books on the bookshelf. |
| seafood | Hamid doesn’t like eating seafood. |
| seatbelt | Salman fastened his seatbelt before driving. |
| skateboard | Iqra rode her skateboard at the park. |
| bedroom | Huda cleaned her bedroom before guests arrived. |
| notebook | Abdullah forgot his notebook at home. |
| windmill | A windmill was installed near the desert. |
| wallpaper | Ruqayyah chose a blue wallpaper for her room. |
| playground | The children played in the playground after school. |
Compound Noun Sentences in English
- Yasir packed his backpack before school.
- Asma went to the bookshop near her house.
- Farhan parked his car in the driveway.
- Layla completed her homework on time.
- Amin wore a raincoat during the storm.
- Noor gifted a wristwatch to her brother.
- The fireworks scared Mariam’s cat.
- Zayd broke his teacup accidentally.
- Fatimah planted a sunflower in her backyard.
- Usama lost his hairbrush at the hotel.
- Yasmin arranged the books on the bookshelf.
- Hamid doesn’t like eating seafood.
- Salman fastened his seatbelt before driving.
- Iqra rode her skateboard at the park.
- Huda cleaned her bedroom before guests arrived.
- Abdullah forgot his notebook at home.
- A windmill was installed near the desert.
- Ruqayyah chose a blue wallpaper for her room.
- The children played in the playground after school.
- Bilal played football with his friends.
List of Singular and Plural Compound Nouns (with Usage)
Understanding singular and plural forms is essential. Here’s a list showing how some compound nouns change in their plural forms.
| Singular Compound Noun | Plural Form |
|---|---|
| toothpick | toothpicks |
| mother-in-law | mothers-in-law |
| passer-by | passers-by |
| washing machine | washing machines |
| son-in-law | sons-in-law |
| handbag | handbags |
| classroom | classrooms |
| babysitter | babysitters |
| firefly | fireflies |
Ways to Form Compound Nouns – Complete List with Examples
Compound nouns are formed in different ways. These are the most common combinations:
1. Noun + Noun
- football
- classroom
- toothpaste
These combine two nouns to create a new meaning.
2. Adjective + Noun
- blackboard
- greenhouse
- software
The adjective describes the noun that follows.
3. Verb + Noun
- swimming pool
- driving license
- washing machine
These are formed when a verb is followed by a noun to describe purpose or function.
4. Noun + Verb
- haircut
- rainfall
- sunrise
The first noun performs the action of the second part.
5. Preposition + Noun
- underworld
- afterthought
- offshore
These combine a preposition with a noun, usually with abstract meanings.
How to Make Compound Nouns Plural – Rules + Word List
Pluralizing compound nouns depends on how they are formed. Here’s how to do it correctly:
1. Pluralize the main noun only
- mother-in-law → mothers-in-law
- passer-by → passers-by
✅ “They are my mothers-in-law.”
❌ “They are my mother-in-laws.”
2. If the noun is one word, add “s” or “es”
- toothbrush → toothbrushes
- notebook → notebooks
✅ “I have three notebooks.”
❌ “I have three notebook.”
3. For irregular plurals, change the word as needed
- man-servant → men-servants
Compound Nouns – Frequently Asked Questions
A compound noun is a noun made up of two or more words that act as a single noun. It can be written as one word (toothbrush), hyphenated (mother-in-law), or two words (swimming pool).
There are three main types:
Closed (notebook)
Hyphenated (sister-in-law)
Open (bus stop)
These types depend on how the words are written together.
Check if two or more words are combined to form a new meaning. If removing one part changes the meaning completely, it’s likely a compound noun.
Yes. Compound nouns can be plural, but the rules vary:
Some add s at the end (bookshelves)
Others pluralize the main noun (sons-in-law)
Yes, ‘ice cream’ is an open compound noun. Even though it’s written with a space, it functions as a single noun meaning a specific type of food.
Key Takeaways – Compound Nouns Summary List
A solid understanding of compound nouns helps you express ideas more clearly and precisely. By learning the different ways they are formed and used, you avoid common grammar mistakes. This compound nouns list is a valuable reference for learners at any level, especially those preparing for writing or speaking tasks in English.
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