The flux of English compound words, whether open, closed, or hyphenated, suggests a dynamic interplay between culture and language. When working with compounds, you will come to appreciate the communication evolution.

Let’s begin this consideration of compounds with a few definitions:

• A compound forms by combining two or more factors.

• A compound word combines two or more words to set up a new meaning.

            - Examples are yard sale, railway, and father-in-law.

• An open compound word is two or more words with spaces between them.

    - Examples are cell phone, jumping jack, and hand towel.

• A closed compound word is two or more words without spaces.

    - Examples are afternoon, wildcat, and football.

• A hyphenated compound word is two or more words with hyphens between them.

    - Examples are king-size, clean-cut, and follow-up.