compound
B2neutral, formal in technical contexts
Definition
Meaning
a thing composed of two or more separate elements
to make something bad become worse; to combine things into a mixture; a word formed from two existing words; an enclosed area containing buildings
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word's meaning depends heavily on its grammatical category. As a noun, it commonly refers to a mixture (chemical), a multi-part word, or an enclosed area. As a verb, it can mean 'to worsen' or 'to combine'. As an adjective, it means 'composed of parts'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a verb meaning 'to add to/make worse', it is used identically. The pronunciation differs slightly in stress. The 'enclosed area' meaning is common in both, though often associated with colonial/military contexts.
Connotations
In financial contexts ('compound interest'), it has a positive connotation of growth. The verb meaning 'to worsen' is negative.
Frequency
All meanings are equally frequent in both varieties. 'Compound fracture' is a standard medical term in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
compound something (with something)compound a problem/errorto be compounded of/by somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “compound a felony (legal)”
- “to compound one's mistakes”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Compound growth/interest is a key financial concept, indicating exponential increase.
Academic
Common in chemistry (chemical compounds), linguistics (compound words), and medicine (compound fractures).
Everyday
Used to describe worsening a situation ('Don't compound the problem').
Technical
Precise meanings in finance, chemistry, linguistics, and medicine.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- His apology only compounded the offence.
- The anxiety was compounded by financial worries.
American English
- Lying now will just compound your problems later.
- The disaster was compounded by slow emergency response.
adverb
British English
- Interest is calculated compound.
- (Rare as adverb, usually 'compounded')
American English
- (Adverbial use is highly technical/rare in general English)
adjective
British English
- She suffered a compound fracture in the accident.
- A compound leaf has multiple leaflets.
American English
- It was a compound error involving several departments.
- 'Sunflower' is a compound word.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- 'Football' is a compound word.
- The scientist made a new compound.
- Don't compound your mistake by lying about it.
- They live in a secure compound with high walls.
- The medication is a compound of three active ingredients.
- Compound interest allows savings to grow faster.
- The geopolitical tensions were compounded by economic sanctions.
- The analysis revealed a novel organic compound with unique properties.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COMPOUND as a COMbination POUNDed together into one unit.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE SUBSTANCES that can be made denser/worse (compound a problem). GROWTH IS A CHEMICAL PROCESS (compound interest).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'составной' (composite) и 'сложный' (complex) — 'compound' часто более конкретно. Глагол 'to compound' НЕ значит 'составлять' (to comprise), а значит 'усугублять'. 'Compound word' — 'сложное слово', а не 'составное'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'compound' as a verb to mean 'compose' instead of 'worsen'. Pronouncing the verb and noun identically (stress is same). Confusing 'compound' (enclosed area) with 'campus'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'compound' mean 'to make worse'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Always on the first syllable for both noun and verb: /ˈkɒmpaʊnd/ (UK), /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/ (US).
Both mean 'made of parts'. 'Composite' often implies engineered/artificial combination (composite materials), while 'compound' is broader and used in specific domains (chemistry, linguistics).
Carefully. In chemistry, yes (to compound a mixture). Generally, as a verb it more often means 'to add to/worsen' (a negative situation). 'Combine' is the safer neutral choice.
A word made by joining two or more existing words (e.g., toothbrush, notebook, sunlight). They can be written as one word, hyphenated, or separate.
Collections
Part of a collection
Scientific Terminology
C1 · 44 words · Precise vocabulary used in scientific disciplines.