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Portmanteau word
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
portmanteau words
What is a "portmanteau word"?
A portmanteau word is a blend of two or more words, combining their sounds and meanings to create a new term. This type of word is formed by merging parts of the original words, often taking the beginning of one word and the end of another. For example, the word "brunch" combines "breakfast" and "lunch", while "smog" merges "smoke" and "fog". Portmanteau words are often used to describe new concepts, ideas, or phenomena and reflect the creativity of language as it evolves to accommodate changing cultural or social contexts. They can add a playful or imaginative quality to communication.
Examples
The term "brunch" is a portmanteau word that combines "breakfast" and "lunch."
