Compound — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb adjective /ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd/ (noun) /käm-ˈpau̇nd/ (verb) com·pound

Meaning & Definition of Compound

Compound (noun)

  1. something formed by a union of elements or parts; especially, a distinct substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion by weight
  2. a word consisting of components that are words (such as rowboat, high school, devil-may-care)
  3. a word (such as anthropology, kilocycle, builder) consisting of any of various combinations of words, combining forms, or affixes
  4. a fenced or walled-in area containing a group of buildings and especially residences

Compound (verb)

  1. to pay (interest) on both the accrued interest and the principal
  2. to add to, augment
  3. to form by combining parts

Compound (adjective)

  1. composed of or resulting from union of separate elements, ingredients, or parts
  2. having the blade divided to the midrib and forming two or more leaflets on a common axis
  3. composed of united similar elements especially of a kind usually independent

Compound (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a distinct entity formed by the combining of two or more different things

    "mixed the chemicals together to form a new compound"

    similar: admixture, alloy, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, cocktail, combination, composite, conflation, emulsion, fusion, intermixture, meld, mix, mixture, synthesis
    related: half-and-half, absorption, blending, coalescence, coalition, commingling, commixture, compost, concretion, homogenization, immingling, immixture, incorporation, integration, interfusion, intermingling, mergence, merger, merging, mingling, assortment, hash, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jumble, medley, mélange, mishmash, motley, patchwork, potpourri, variety, accumulation, aggregation, conglomeration
    near: component, constituent, element, ingredient

Compound (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. made from the joining of two or more parts or elements

    "a compound word"

    similar: amalgamated, composite
    related: blended, combined, commingled, mingled, mixed, coalescent, fused, integrated, interlaced, intermixed, intertwined, interwoven, cut-and-paste
    opposite: noncompound, simple
    near: uncombined, unmixed

Compound (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make greater in size, amount, or number

    "we compounded our error by waiting too long to call for help"

    similar: accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, increase, multiply, pump up, raise, stoke, supersize, swell, up
    related: boom, jump, skyrocket, spike, bump (up), ratchet (up), blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch, develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, complement, supplement, beef (up), reinforce, strengthen, maximize, accumulate, amass, collect, follow up, parlay
    opposite: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)
    near: abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, contract, cut back, retrench

  2. to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole

    "the German language's propensity for compounding words"

    similar: catenate, chain, concatenate, conjugate, connect, couple, hitch, hook, interconnect, interlink, join, link, yoke
    related: articulate, dovetail, integrate, interlock, intermesh, cord, string, wire, cement, coalesce, combine, fuse, unite, weld
    opposite: disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, disunite, separate, unchain, uncouple, unhitch, unlink, unyoke
    near: detach, disengage, divide, part, split, cleave, rupture, sever, sunder

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Compound

The most common words with a similar meaning to Compound:

admixture, alloy, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, cocktail, combination, composite, conflation, emulsion, fusion, intermixture, meld, mix, mixture, synthesis, amalgamated, accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, increase, multiply, pump up, raise, stoke, supersize, swell, up, catenate, chain, concatenate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Compound

Words with the opposite meaning of Compound:

noncompound, simple, abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from), disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, disunite, separate, unchain, uncouple, unhitch, unlink, unyoke

Related Words for Compound

half-and-half, absorption, blending, coalescence, coalition, commingling, commixture, compost, concretion, homogenization, immingling, immixture, incorporation, integration, interfusion, intermingling, mergence, merger, merging, mingling, assortment, hash, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jumble, medley, mélange, mishmash, motley, patchwork

Near Antonyms of Compound

component, constituent, element, ingredient, uncombined, unmixed, abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, contract, cut back, retrench, detach, disengage, divide, part, split, cleave, rupture, sever, sunder

Word Forms of Compound

Inflections: compounded, compounding, compounds

Derived words: compoundable (adjective), compounder (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Compound

Middle English compounen, from Anglo-French *cumpundre, from Latin componere, from com- + ponere to put position

First known use: 1530

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Compound

Words & Phrases Containing Compound

compound-complex, compound eye, compound fracture, compound interest, compound microscope, compound number

Frequently Asked Questions about Compound

What does "Compound" mean?

"Compound" means something formed by a union of elements or parts; especially, a distinct substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion by weight. As an a noun, a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: something formed by a union of elements or parts; especially, a distinct substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion by weight. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Compound"?

Other words for "Compound" include admixture, alloy, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, cocktail, combination and composite. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Compound" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Compound"?

There are 145 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Compound". Common alternatives include admixture, alloy, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, cocktail, combination, composite, conflation and emulsion.

What is the opposite of "Compound"?

Antonyms of "Compound" include noncompound, simple, abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize and dwindle. Near antonyms include component, constituent, element and ingredient.

How do you use "Compound" in a sentence?

Examples of "Compound" in a sentence: "mixed the chemicals together to form a new compound"; "a compound word"; "we compounded our error by waiting too long to call for help".

Is "Compound" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Compound" can be used as a noun, a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Compound" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Compound" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Compound"?

"Compound" is pronounced /ˈkäm-ˌpau̇nd/ as a noun and /käm-ˈpau̇nd/ as a verb and divided into syllables as com·pound.