The words below are made up of two smaller words - but they are not compound words. For example, GENE and TIC could be combined to form GENETIC, but GENETIC is not a compound word (like BEDROOM) because its two parts are not related. Can you think of the other half of the word below to make them longer - but not compound words? Some of the words may have more than one answer.

1. NO

2. NIT 

3. BUR

4. TEE

5. BAT 

6. HER

7. PAN

8. HEM 

9. CAM

10. SIDE 

 

(Possible) Answers:

 

1. NOVICE

2. NITRATE

3. BURROW/ BURLAP

4. TEETHE

5. BATHER

6. HERRING

7. PANTRY

8. HEMLOCK

9. CAMERA

10. SIDEREAL  

 

[FALSE COMPOUNDS] 

The words below are made up of two smaller words - but they are not compound words. For example, SHE and RIFF could be combined to form SHERIFF, but SHERIFF if not a compound word (like BEDROOM) because its two parts are not related. Can you think of the other half of the words below to make them longer - but not compound words? Some of the words may have more than one answer.

1. FUR

2. DELI 

3. FEAT

4. GENE 

5. RAGA 

6. BRAN

7. MARS

8. STALL 

9. SERGE

10. MISER 

 

(Possible) Answers:

 

1. FURLONG

2. DELIBERATE

3. FEATHER

4. GENETIC / GENERATE

5. RAGAMUFFIN

6. BRANDISH

7. MARSHALL

8. STALLION

9. SERGEANT

10. MISERABLE  

 

[false compounds] 

The words below are made up of two smaller words - but they are not compound words. For example, LEI and SURE could be combined to form LEISURE, but LEISURE is not a compound word (like BEDROOM), because its two parts are not related. Can you think of the other half of the word below to make them longer - but not compound words? Some of the words may have more than one answer.

1. PAN

2. HEM

3. BUR

4. TEE

5. HER

6. CAM

7. SAT

8. BUT

9. STY

10. ARC

 

(Possible) Answers:

 

1. PANTRY / PANACHE

2. HEMLOCK

3. BURROW / BURLAP

4. TEETHE

5. HERRING

6. CAMERA

7. SATIRE

8. BUTTRESS

9. STYLIST

10. ARCHER /  ARCADE / ARCHIVE  

The words below are made up of two smaller words - but they are not compound words. For example, EAR and NEST could be combined to form EARNEST, but EARNEST is not a compound word (like BEDROOM) because its two parts are not related. Can you think of the other half of the words below to make them longer - but not compound words? Some of the words may have more than one answer. 

1. HAD

2. CAP

3. PRO

4. LEI

5. SHE

6. RAP

7. SAC

8. MEN

9. ANT

10. SCAR 

 

(Possible) Answers:

 

1. HADDOCK

2. CAPSIZE

3. PROVERB

4. LEISURE

5. SHERIFF

6. RAPPORT

7. SACRED

8. MENTALLY

9. ANTELOPE

10. SCARLET  

 

[False Compounds] 

The words below are the first half of words made up of two smaller words - but they are not compounds. For example, KID and NAP could be combined to get KIDNAP, but KIDNAP is not a compound word (like BEDROOM), since its two parts are not related. Can you think of the other half of the words below to make them longer - but not compound words? Some of the words may have more than one answer. 

1. DO

2. FOR 

3. EAR

4. ARC

5. ANT

6. LAM

7. BRIE  

8. FLAG 

9. MUST

10. HEAT 

 

(Possible) Answers:

 

1. DOMAIN

2. FORTRESS 

3. EARNEST

4. ARCHIVE

5. ANTELOPE

6. LAMBENT

7. BRIEFEST

8. FLAGRANT

9. MUSTACHE

10. HEATHEN 

 

[False Compounds] 

The words below are the first half of words made up of two smaller words - but they are not compounds. For example, MAY and HEM could be combined to form MAYHEM, but MAYHEM is not a compound word (like BEDROOM), since its two parts are not related. Can you think of the other half of the words below to make them longer - but not compound words? Some of the word may have more than one answer.

 

1. KIT

2. TEN

3. DIG

4. RIG

5. KID

6. GAD 

7. MIST

8. BUOY

9. AVER

10. GRAM

11. DETER

 

(Possible) Answers:

 

1. KITTEN

2. TENANT, TENDON, TENOR

3. DIGIT

4. RIGID

5. KIDNAP

6. GADGET

7. MISTRUST

8. BUOYANT

9. AVERAGE

10. GRAMMAR

11. DETERMINE  

 

[False Compounds] 

 

 

The words below are the first half of words made up of two smaller words - but they are not compounds. For example, ASP and HALT could be joined together to form ASPHALT, but ASPHALT is not a compound word (like BEDROOM), since its two parts are not related. Can you think of the other half of the words below to make them longer - but not compound words? Some of the words may have more than one answer.

1. SO

2. GIG

3. CUP

4. EAR

5. FOR

6. BAR

7. CAR

8. MAY

9. PLEAS

10. MASS

 

(Possible) Answers:

 

1. SOUP 

2. GIGANTIC

3. CUPID

4. EARWIG

5. FORTRESS

6. BARGAIN

7. CARTON

8. MAYHEM

9. PLEASANT

10. MASSACRE  

 

[False Compounds] 

The words below are the first half of words made up of two smaller words - but they are not compounds. For example, PAGE and ANT could be joined together to get PAGEANT, but PAGEANT is not a compound word (like BEDROOM), since its two parts are not related. Can you think of the other half of the words below to make longer - but not compound - words? 

1. ASP

2. END

3. FUR 

4. NAP 

5. ANT

6. BUD

7. CURT

8. PLUM

9. GALL

10. MEDAL 

 

Answers:

 

1. ASPHALT

2. ENDEAR

3. FURROW

4. NAPKIN

5. ANTHEM

6. BUDGET

7. CURTAIL

8. PLUMMET

9. GALLEON

10. MEDALLION  

 

[False Compounds] 

The words below are the first half of words that are made up of two smaller words - but they are not compounds. For example, SLAT and HER could be joined to get SLATHER, but SLATHER is not a compound word (like BEDROOM), since its two parts are not related. Can you think of the other half of the words below to make longer - but not compound words. Some of the words may have more than one answer.

1. PIG

2. ASP

3. IMP

4. PAL

5. LEG 

6. END

7. WIN 

8. WAR 

9. DISC 

10. CASH

 

Answers:

 

1. PIGEON

2. ASPIRE / ASPIRATE

3. IMPROVE / IMPART / IMPACT

4. PALACE

5. LEGALLY / LEGEND

6. ENDEAR

7. WINTRY / WINSOME / WINNOW

8. WARDEN

9. DISCLOSE / DISCUS

10. CASHMERE  

 

[False Compounds] 

The words below are the first half of words which are made up of two smaller words - but are not compounds. For example, SUN could be combined with DRY to get SUNDRY. SUNDRY is not a compound word (like BEDROOM), since its two halves are not related. Can you think of the other half of the words below to make longer, but not compound words. Some of the words may have more than one answer. 

1. US 

2. SIN

3. PAR 

4. THY

5. POT

6. CAN

7. DEW 

8. SLAT

9. TAPE 

10. BUOY

11. ORIGIN 

 

Answers:

 

1. USHER

2. SINUS

3. PARDON / PARLANCE / PARAMOUNT

4. THYME

5. POTION

6. CANDID / CANTEEN

7. DEWLAP

8. SLATHER

9. TAPESTRY

10. BUOYANT

11. ORIGINALLY  

 

[False compounds] 

The words below are the first half of words which are made up of two smaller words - but are not compounds. For example, SEA could be combined with SON to get SEASON. SEASON is not a compound word (like BEDROOM), since its two halves are not related. Can you think of the other half of the words below to make longer, but not compound words. Some of the words have more than one answer. 

1. CUR

2. LEG

3. IMP

4. CAR

5. SUN

6. MEN

7. ROT

8. RAT

9. SURF

10. FORM 

11. PROSE

 

(Possible) Answers:

 

1. CURFEW / CURRENT / CURRANT  

2. LEGEND / LEGATE

3. IMPART / IMPACT / IMPAIR

4. CARGO / CARROT / CARTON / CARMINE

5. SUNDRY

6. MENACE

7. ROTTEN / ROTATE

8. RATION / RATTAN

9. SURFACE

10. FORMALLY 

11. PROSECUTE 

 

[False compounds] 

  

FALSE TRIPLE AND QUADRUPLE COMPOUNDS VIII

How many words can you think of that are made up of three or four smaller word strung together - but which are not related to the longer word? The first of the three or four words is given below. The first letters of the other two or three words are given as hints. For example, given the clue IN + +, the answer word could be IN +SO + FAR = INSOFAR. This would be hinted at as IN + S + F.

1. PER + +

2. PRO + + 

3. CON + +

4. SO + +

5. IN + + 

6. AT + +

7. WOE + +

8. IMP + +

9. ALTO + +

10. HIGH + +

11 WHERE + +

12. IN + + +

13. FORM + +

14. CAN + + +

15. DISH  + +

HINTS:

1. PER + M + I

2. PRO + F + I

3. CON + V + I

4. SO + M + T

5. IN + A + M

6. AT + T + I

7. WOE + B + G

8. IMP + O + A

9. ALTO + G + H

10. HIGH + W + M

11. WHERE + W + A

12. IN + F + M + I

13. FORM + M + A

14. CAN + C + AT + I 

15. DISH + E + L

Answers:

 

1. PER + MISS + ION = PERMISSION 

2. PRO + FESS + ION = PROFESSION

3. CON + VENT + ION = CONVENTION

4. SO + ME + TIME = SOMETIME

5. IN + AS + MUCH = INASMUCH

6. AT + TRACT + ION = ATTRACTION

7. WOE + BE + GONE = WOEBEGONE

8. IMP + ORT + ANT = IMPORTANT

9. ALTO + GET + HER = ALTOGETHER

10. HIGH + WAY + MAN = HIGHWAYMAN

11. WHERE + WITH + ALL = WHEREWITHALL

12. IN + FOR + MAT + ION - INFORMATION

13. FORM + ID + ABLE = FORMIDABLE

14. CAN + CELL + AT + ION = CANCELLATION* 

15. DISH + EVE + LED = DISHEVELED

 

*Note from JA: Many words ending in ION can be parsed out into three or more smaller words -

(Attention, Consideration, Perforation, etc.)

FALSE TRIPLE AND QUADRUPLE COMPOUNDS VII

From Language on Vacation

Dmitri A. Borgmann

The sentence below has an extremely rare property. Can you determine what it is?

[Opinion from JA: This is truly an extraordinary sentence.]

A toreador who had never learned to read or write, when asked for his signature, gave this significant reply: "How can I sign if I can't write?"

HINT: The puzzle title is a hint.

Answer:

A toreador who had never learned TO READ OR write, when asked for his signature, gave this significant reply: "How can (I) SIGN IF I CAN'T write?" 

FALSE TRIPLE COMPOUNDS VI

How many words can you think of that are made up of three smaller words strung together - but which are not related to the longer word? The first of the three words is given below. The first letters of the other two words are given below as hints. For example, given the clue TO + +, the answer word could be TO + GET + HER = TOGETHER. This would be hinted at as TO + G +H.

1. AM + + 

2. CAN + +

3. FOR + +

4. PER + +

5. SO  + +

6. HAND + +

7. PEN + +

8. CAR + +

9. AT + +

10. NONE + +

HINTS:

1. AM + B + I

2. CAN + D + A

3. FOR + B + D

4. PER + S + A

5. SO + M + T

6. HAND + S + E

7. PEN + M + S

8. CAR + T + O

9. AT + T + D

10. NONE + T + L

Answers:

 

1. AM + BIT + ION = AMBITION

2. CAN + DID + ATE = CANDIDATE

3. FOR + BID + DEN = FORBIDDEN

4. PER + SON + ABLE = PERSONABLE

5. SO + ME + THING = SOMETHING

6. HAND + SO + ME = HANDSOME

7. PEN + MAN + SHIP = PENMANSHIP

8. CAR + TO + ON = CARTOON 

9. AT + TEN + DANCE = ATTENDANCE 

10. NONE + THE + LESS = NONETHELESS

FALSE COMPOUNDS V

GAMES/World of Puzzles
May, 2020
R.H. Wei (adapted)

Can you think of a word that could be added to each word below to make a false compound. For example, given CART, you could add RIDGE to get CARTRIDGE - which is a false compound. The first letter of the second word is given below as a hint. Other answers are possible.

1. HEM
2. NOT
3. BUR
4. TEE
5. FAT
6. RAP
7. ADO
8. MEN
9. SHE
10. WIN
11. VERB

HINTS:

First letter of the second word:

1. HEM + L

2. NOT + A

3. BUR + R

4. TEE + T

5. FAT + H

6. RAP + P

7. ADO + R

8. MEN + TALLY

9. SHE + R

10. WIN + N

11. VERB + A

Hinted Answers:

1. HEMLOCK
2. NOTABLE 
3. BURROW
4. TEETHE
5. FATHER
6. RAPPORT
7. ADORED
8. MENTALLY
9. SHERIFF
10. WINNOW
11. VERBALLY

FALSE COMPOUNDS IV

GAMES/World of Puzzles
May, 2020
R.H. Wei (adapted)

Can you think of a word that could be added to each word below to make a false compound? For example, given WIN, you could add SOME to get WINSOME - which is a false compound. The initial letter of the second word is given below as a hint. Other answers are possible.

1. CAR
2. PAN
3. STY
4. SAT
5. PRO
6. HER
7. HAND
8. SCAR
9. TORN
10. PLEA

HINTS:

First letter of the second word:

1. CAR + T

2. PAN + T

3. STY + L

4. SAT + I

5. PRO + V

6. HER + R

7. HAND + S

8. SCAR + L

9. TORN + A

10. PLEA + S

Hinted Answers:

1. CARTON
2. PANTRY
3. STYLIST
4. SATIRE
5. PROVERB
6. HERRING
7. HANDSOME
8. SCARLET
9. TORNADO
10. PLEASURE 

FALSE COMPOUNDS III

GAMES/World of Puzzles
May, 2020
R.H. Wei (adapted)

Can you think of a word that could be added to each word below to make a false compound? For example, given ANT, you could add either HEM or ELOPE to get ANTHEM or ANTELOPE - both of which are false compounds. The first letter of the second word is given below as a hint. Other answers are possible.

1. KIT
2. FUR
3. BUD
4. BUT
5. CAM
6. EAR
7. LEG
8. HAD
9. SAC
10. BAT

HINTS:

First letter of the second word:

1. KIT + T

2. FUR + L

3. BUD + G

4. BUT + T

5. CAM + E

6. EAR + W

7. LEG + E

8. HAD + D

9. SAC + R

10. BAT + R

Hinted Answers:

1. KITTEN
2. FURLONG
3. BUDGET
4. BUTTON
5. CAMERA
6. EARWIG
7. LEGEND
8. HADDOCK
9. SACRED
10. BATHER

FALSE COMPOUNDS II

GAMES/World of Puzzles
May, 2020
R.H. Wei

True compound words have meanings related to their component parts, as in BASEBALL, HOUSEBOAT, or PLAYGROUND. But there are many words that could be called "faux" or false compound words, because they can be divided into two unrelated words, such as COT and TON in the case of COTTON. The answers to the questions below are all just such pseudo-compound words.

1. What three-letter word can be placed before HER, ION, or TAN to form a new word?

2. What three-letter word can be placed before LOP or ORE, or after FUN to form a new word?

3. What three-letter word can be placed before TIC or after MEN to form a new word?

4. What three-letter word can be placed after EAR or TOO to form a new word?

Answers:

1. RAT
2. GAL
3. ACE
4. THY

FALSE COMPOUNDS I

GAMES/World of Puzzles
May, 2020
R.H. Wei

True compound words have meanings related to their  component parts, as in BASEBALL, HOUSEBOAT, or PLAYGROUND. But there are many words that could be called "faux" or false compound words, because they can be divided into two unrelated words, such as  COT and TON in the case of COTTON. The answers to the questions below are all just such pseudo-compound words.

1. What three-letter word can be placed before ACT, ART, EACH, LORE or ROVE to form new words that are false compounds?

2. What three-letter word can be placed before AGE, EGO, GET,or MAT to form new words that are false compounds?

3. What three-letter word can be placed before APACE, AWAY, MINE, or PET to form new words that are false compounds?

4. What three-letter word can be placed before GIN, ROW, or TIN to form new words that are false compounds?

5. What three-letter word can be placed before FEW, RANT, or RENT to form new words that are false compounds?

Answers:

1. IMP
2. FOR
3. CAR
4. MAR
5. CUR