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Free printable list of compound words for kids from ABCmouse.com.

Compound Words for Kids (Free Printable List)

Learn the basics of compound words, then teach them to your children with kid-friendly lists and engaging activities.

Table of Contents

What Are Compound Words?

Lists of Common Compound Words

List of Compound Words A-Z

Printable Lists of Compound Words

Compound Word Activities for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners

ABCmouse Compound Word Games

From breakfast to bedtime, compound words popup frequently. Compound words are two smaller words combined to form a single word with a new meaning. For example, the word sunflower comes from the words sun and flower. 

Learning compound words can help build decoding skills, as children work to identify the smaller words within each compound word. They also provide a great way to expand a child’s vocabulary by teaching them how two smaller words come together to form a new, meaningful word.

Additionally, learning compound words can also help children recognize and infer the meanings of these new, bigger words, as they use their understanding of smaller words to deduce the meaning of the compound word. For example, when a child first sees the word birdhouse, they can use their knowledge of the words bird and house to infer that a birdhouse is a “house for birds.”

Compound words in teal and pink bubble letter surrounded by illustrations of a goldfish, snowman, dragonfly, jellyfish, football, and sunflower.

What Are Compound Words?

Compound words are created when two smaller, standalone words are joined together to form a single word with its own unique meaning. For example:

The key to compound words is that the new word typically retains some relationship to the meanings of its individual parts but forms a whole new idea.

There are three different types of compound words:

1. Closed Compound Words:


These compound words are written as one continuous word, with no spaces or hyphens. They are the most common type of compound word.

Examples:

  • inside
  • herself
  • sunflower 
  • notebook 

2. Open Compound Words:


Open compound words are written as two separate words, but when used together, they convey a single idea or concept. Unlike closed compound words, the two parts remain separated by a space but work together to form one meaning. 

Examples:

  • ice cream 
  • post office 
  • hot dog
  • high school

3. Hyphenated Compound Words:


Hyphenated compound words use a hyphen to link the two parts of the word. Hyphens are often used to clarify the meaning or to show that the two words are connected but not fully combined into one. Hyphenated compound words are often used when the word combination could otherwise be confusing or when certain grammatical rules apply. 

Examples:

  • mother-in-law 
  • well-being 
  • long-term
  • merry-go-round

Understanding these different types of compound words helps children recognize how language can be flexible and how simple words can come together to transform into an entirely new word with a different unique meaning. 

Pair our lists of compound words with these compound words worksheets to boost your child’s understanding of these new types of words. 

Lists of Compound Words

When working with these lists of compound words, please be mindful of your child’s learning level. Some of these words may be too long and complex for young children. However, you can still explore the concept of compound words by working with your child to break the bigger words apart into smaller words that they may recognize. 

Common Compound Words:

This list features common compound words your child may encounter. These words are often used in children’s books and everyday language, making them a good starting point for teaching compound words.

afternoonairportanybodyanything
anywherebasketballbedroomclassroom
drivewayeveryoneeverythingfootball
hallwayherselfhimselfinside
newspapernobodyoutsiderainbow
someonesomethingsometimessomewhere
sunshine

List of Compound Words A-Z

The lists include closed, open, and hyphenated compound words for each letter of the alphabet. Use these lists to bolster your child’s understanding of compound words or as tool for growing their vocabulary or practicing spelling skills. 

Letter A Compound Words

Closed:
afternoonafterthoughtairbagaircraftairline
airportairspaceairtightanyoneanytime
anythinganywherearmchairarmpitarrowhead
Open:
action heroair conditionerair qualityair trafficalarm clock
animal shelterapple pieart galleryauto shopaward ceremony
amusement parkankle braceletapple tree
Hyphenated:
able-bodiedair-dryall-inclusiveanti-aginganti-inflammatory
anti-slipaward-winningage-old

Letter B Compound Words

Closed:
backbonebackfirebackgroundbackpackbackstroke
ballroombaseballbasketballbathrobebathroom
bedspreadbedroombeehivebeelinebirdhouse
birthdayblackboardbloodhoundbluebirdbookshelf
Open:
baby showerbank accountbarber shopbatting averagebeauty salon
bedroom setbirth certificateblood pressurebook clubbook report
box officebowling alleybrand namebus stopbusiness card
butter knife
Hyphenated:
back-and-forthback-to-backbest-sellingblue-greenbrick-and-mortar
brother-in-law

Letter C Compound Words

Closed:
campfirecardboardcatfishcheesecakeclassroom
clockworkcornmealcourtyardcupcakecutthroat
countdowncrosswalkcourthousecashbackcarpool
cookbookcampsitecountrysidecupholder
Open:
cell phonecherry piechicken soupchild careclimate change
coffee makercommon sensecredit cardcotton candycrab cake
cutting board
Hyphenated
co-authorco-workercheck-incheck-upclean-cut
close-upcrowd-pleasercutting-edge

Letter D Compound Words

Closed:
daybreakdaylightdaydreamdeadboltdeadline
downtowndrivewaydriftwooddoorbelldoorknob
doghousedoughnutdownloaddownpourdownstairs
drawbackdrugstoredrumstick
Open:
dead enddance classday caredecision makingdining room
distance learningdog parkdining tabledoctor’s office
Hyphenated:
day-to-daydaughter-in-lawdeep-frieddeep-seadown-to-earth
dry-cleanduty-free

Letter E Compound Words

Closed:
eardrumearphoneearthquakeearmarkearring
earthwormeggplantelsewhereendpointeveryone
everythingeyebroweyesighteyeballevergreen
everydayeverywhere
Open:
egg rollelectric caremergency roomenergy drinkengine oil
eye contacteye doctoreye shadow
Hyphenated:
e-bookeight-leggedeighty-fourearth-friendlyeco-conscious
empty-handed

Letter F Compound Words

Closed:
farmyardfireballfireflyfiremanfireplace
fireprooffishbowlfishhookfishermanflagpole
flatfootfootballfootprintforeheadfreeway
frostbitefruitcakefullbackfundraise
Open:
fact checkfamily roomfamily treefast foodfeather bed
field tripfiling cabinetfire drillfire escapefire station
first aidfirst placefood chainfootball fieldfront door
full moon
Hyphenated:
far-reachingfather-in-lawfire-resistantfull-timefollow-up
four-letter-wordfreeze-driedfront-runnerfull-length

Letter G Compound Words

Closed:
gearboxgatekeeperghostwritergingerbreadgirlfriend
goldfishgrasshoppergreenhousegroundhogguideline
gridlockgrownupgetaway
Open:
game plangas stationgeneral storegift cardgoal line
golf coursegrade pointgrain elevatorgrand pianograss seed
grocery storeground beefguard dogguest listguitar case
Hyphenated:
get-togethergood-naturedgoal-orientedgrass-fedgreat-grandfather
great-grandmothergas-powered

Letter H Christmas Words

Closed:
hairbrushhairlinehairpinhandbookhandout
handshakehardwoodheadbandheadlampheadache
headphoneheartacheheartbeathomeworkhouseboat
Open:
hand creamhand sanitizerhealth careheat wavehigh chair
high schoolhistory lessonhome runhoney beehot dog
hot waterhuman being
Hyphenated:
hand-me-downhard-workinghigh-techhigh-riskhigh-speed
half-heartedhome-grownheavy-dutyheart-to-heart

Letter I compound Words

Closed:
icebergiceboxicebreakerinboardincome
indoorsinlandinputinsideinsight
interchangeinterlockinto
Open:
ice creamice cubeice skateiron oreidentity card
ice packinstant messageink peninterview question
Hyphenated:
ice-coldin-depthin-flightin-house

Letter J Compound Words

Closed:
jawbonejaybirdjellybeanjellyfishjetlag
jetlinerjigsawjumpstartjunkyardjackpot
jackhammerjackrabbit
Open:
jam sessionjet enginejob interviewjob offerjogging track
jury dutyjump ropejunk foodjungle gymjunior high
junk mail
Hyphenated:
jack-of-all-tradesjam-packedjob-relatedjoy-ridingjump-start
jet-blackjack-in-the-box

Letter K Compound Words

Closed:
keyboardkeycardkeyholekickballkickboxing
kickoffkingfisherkneecap
Open:
kennel clubkey wordkick standkindergarten classking cobra
king crabkitchen counterkitchen sink
Hyphenated:
kick-startkid-friendlyking-sizeknee-deepknow-it-all
knee-high

Letter L Compound Words

Closed:
ladybuglandfilllandmarklandslidelaptop
lighthouselifeboatlifeguardlifejacketlifetime
lightweightlimelightlivestocklockboxlocksmith
lookout
Open:
landing gearlanguage artslaser beamlawn chairlawn mower
learning curveleather jacketlemon juicelibrary cardlife insurance
life preserverlight bulbliving roomlog cabin
Hyphenated:
large-scalelast-minuteleft-handedlife-changinglife-size
light-heartedlong-distancelong-term

Letter M Compound Words

Closed:
mailboxmainlandmakeupmankindmanmade
masterpiecemeantimemeatballmeatloafmilkshake
milestonemoonlightmotorbikemountaintopmousetrap
moviegoermudslide
Open:
magicmarvelmemorymerrymistletoe
mittensmomentmusic
Hyphenated:
make-believemass-producedmother-in-lawmind-blowingmerry-go-round

Letter N Compound Words

namesakenearbynecktienewbornnewspaper
nightfallnightgownnightmarenightshadenightstand
noisemakernotebooknoteworthynutshellnetwork
Open:
nail polishname tagnational anthemnational parknature reserve
needle pointnews reportnight lightnight shiftnote card
number line
Hyphenated:
nail-bitingnear-sightedno-brainer

Letter O Compound Words

Closed:
oatmealoffshoreoncomingoutcomeoutdoor
outfieldoutfitoutgrowoutlineoutlive
outnumberoutputoutwit
Open:
oak treeoil changeoil paintingolive oilopen house
orange juiceouter space
Hyphenated:
off-roadone-sidedopen-mindedout-of-date

Letter P Christmas Words

Closed:
pancakepaperworkpathwayplaybookplayground
popcornpostcardpostmanpasswordpaperback
peanutponytail
Open:
packing listpage numberpaint brushparking lotparty favor
peanut butterpen palpencil casephone callphoto album
picture framepolice officer
Hyphenated:
part-timepasser-by

Letter Q Compound Words

Closed:
quarterbackquicksandquicksilverquickstep
Open:
quality controlquarter notequeen beequestion markquotation mark
Hyphenated:
queen-sizedquick-wittedquick-thinkingquestion-and-answer

Letter R Compound Words

Closed:
raincoatrainbowraindroprailroadrainstorm
rainwaterrattlesnakeracehorseracecarredhead
ringsideroadwayrowboatrunway
Open:
radio stationrail linerain checkrain cloudreading glasses
real estaterelay raceremote controlriver bank
Hyphenated:
rain-soakedrecord-breakinground-triprunner-uprisk-taking

Letter S Compound Words

Closed:
sandpapersandboxsandstormsailboatscarecrow
schoolhouseschoolworkscrewdriverseafoodseashore
seashellseatbeltsidekicksidewalksignpost
skyscrapersnowballsnowflakesnowmanstopwatch
Open:
safety pinsalad dressingsalt waterschool busschool year
seat beltsecurity guardshopping cartshort storysight word
silver medalsnow conesocial mediaspace shuttleswimming pool
Hyphenated:
self-confidenceself-esteemshort-termsign-upstep-by-step

Letter T Compound Words

Closed:
tablespoontailbonetailgateteacupteamwork
teardropteaspoontextbooktoenailtoolbox
toothbrushtoothpastetouchdowntownhallthunderstorm
Open:
table tennistaco saladtalent showtea partyteam spirit
tennis courttest drivetheater tickettheme parktime machine
traffic jamtraining wheelstree house
Hyphenated:
take-offtake-outt-shirttie-breaktime-out
time-sensitivetouch-and-gotried-and-true

Letter U Compound Words

Closed:
underarmunderdogundergroundunderwaterunderweight
underwayupkeepupliftuploadupstairs
upset
Open:
used carutility pole
Hyphenated:
up-and-comingup-to-dateuser-friendly

Letter V Compound Words

Closed:
videotapeviewpointvineyardvoicemailvoiceover
Open:
vacuum cleanervanilla beanvanilla extractvegetable oilvegetable soup
video cameravideo gamevocal cords

Letter W Compound Words

Closed:
walkwaywallpaperwarmheartedwashclothwashroom
watchdogwaterfallwaterproofwebsitewindmill
Open:
waiting roomwalking stickwashing machinewater bottlewater fountain
water parkweather reportwedding cakeworld map
Hyphenated:
warm-bloodedwell-beingwell-donewell-educatedwell-known
well-readword-of-mouthwork-in-progressworld-famousworld-wide
worn-out

Letter X Compound Words

Hyphenated:x-ray

Letter Y Compound Words

Closed:
yardstickyardworkyearbookyearlongyellowcake
yellowfinyourself
Open:
yacht clubyard saleyoung adultyouth center
Hyphenated:
year-roundyoung-at-heart

Letter Z Compound Words

Closed:
zigzagzookeeper
Open:
zebra fishzen gardenzero gravityzinc oxidezip code

Compound Word Activities for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners

Reinforce your child’s understanding of compound words with these hands-on activities that further explore the concept of compound words.

⭐ Compound Word Match-Up:

Create a fun matching game by writing the shorter words that form compound words onto individual notecards or sticky notes. For example, write words such as cup, cake, butter, and fly on separate notecards. Then have your child match the cards up to form as many different compound words as they can, like cupcake and butterfly.

⭐ Compound Word Pictionary:

Turn learning compound words into a creative drawing game! Choose a compound word, and have your child draw pictures of the two smaller words that make up the compound word. For example, if the word is sunflower, your child can draw the sun and a flower.

⭐ Compound Word Art:

Write a list of common compound words that can easily be illustrated, such as rainstorm, butterfly, sailboat, and treehouse. Encourage your child to break the word apart and illustrate what the smaller words mean separately and what they mean when put together. 

ABCmouse Compound Word Games

Bring even more fun to learning about compound words with these engaging games from ABCmouse. Please note that these games may require an ABCmouse subscription to play. 

Marvin's Compound Word Magic screen shot of a fun game on ABCmouse.com.

Marvin’s Compound Word Magic

In this game, children are presented with a variety of words that can be broken down into two smaller words. The goal is to combine the correct smaller words to create a compound word. 

Prospector Paul's Word Mine screen shot of a fun game on ABCmouse.com.

Prospector Paul’s Word Mine

Children will be presented with a variety of compound words and their task is to identify where each word should be split. By carefully analyzing and selecting the correct split, children will work towards strengthening their understanding of compound words while also practicing their reading and spelling.

Austin and Scout: Word Mystery screen shot of a fun game on ABCmouse.com.

Austin and Scout: Word Mystery:

As players navigate through the ancient ruins, they will encounter signs that need to be fixed. These signs are compound words that have been split apart. The goal is to find the matching word segments within the ruins and place them correctly on the signs, creating the compound words.

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