Compound Word Word Search

Twenty compound words in pairs that share a first word, such as Sunflower and Sunshine, with the answer key.

Name Date

Find every word hidden in the grid. Words go across and down.

0 of 20 words found

MFSUNSHINENRJUT

SEASHELLSNOWMAN

TWTOOTHBRUSHAXR

ANFTRSNOWFLAKEN

RAINCOATAODCITT

LOFFSUNFLOWEROB

IBOMHFWAXTQJTOO

GOOJZHANDPRINTO

HOTBDCBEDROOMHK

TKBEDTIMEIEAWPC

OMAGEXRAINBOWAA

IALPMQOBNTGOESS

URLWRSEAWEEDWTE

EKLHTHANDSHAKEA

HOSAESTARFISHAW

This grid is wider and taller than its box. Slide it to see every letter.To drag, hold the first letter for a moment, then slide.Keyboard: Tab to the grid, arrow keys to move, Enter on the first and last letter.

SunflowerSUNFLOWER
SunshineSUNSHINE
RainbowRAINBOW
RaincoatRAINCOAT
SnowmanSNOWMAN
SnowflakeSNOWFLAKE
FootballFOOTBALL
FootprintFOOTPRINT
HandshakeHANDSHAKE
HandprintHANDPRINT
ToothbrushTOOTHBRUSH
ToothpasteTOOTHPASTE
BedroomBEDROOM
BedtimeBEDTIME
BookcaseBOOKCASE
BookmarkBOOKMARK
SeashellSEASHELL
SeaweedSEAWEED
StarfishSTARFISH
StarlightSTARLIGHT

20 words from the Compound Words list.

Draw a line between the two words in three compounds you found. Write one new compound.

Start from a list

Easy: words go across and down.

More options

Show clues, not words

Word list

Large print Lower-case letters Name and date line on paper

The puzzle changes as you go. See the puzzle

Answer key: Compound Word Word Search

MFSUNSHINENRJUT

SEASHELLSNOWMAN

TWTOOTHBRUSHAXR

ANFTRSNOWFLAKEN

RAINCOATAODCITT

LOFFSUNFLOWEROB

IBOMHFWAXTQJTOO

GOOJZHANDPRINTO

HOTBDCBEDROOMHK

TKBEDTIMEIEAWPC

OMAGEXRAINBOWAA

IALPMQOBNTGOESS

URLWRSEAWEEDWTE

EKLHTHANDSHAKEA

HOSAESTARFISHAW

SUNFLOWER, SUNSHINE, RAINBOW, RAINCOAT, SNOWMAN, SNOWFLAKE, FOOTBALL, FOOTPRINT, HANDSHAKE, HANDPRINT, TOOTHBRUSH, TOOTHPASTE, BEDROOM, BEDTIME, BOOKCASE, BOOKMARK, SEASHELL, SEAWEED, STARFISH, STARLIGHT

Next step Spell the sun, snow and rain compounds Fill in the missing half on a compound word worksheet

All 175 words

Sun, Rain and Snow Compounds 21

Rainbow A curve of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet across a showery sky.
Raincoat A waterproof jacket for a wet day.
Raindrop One bead of water falling from a cloud.
Rainforest A thick forest in a place with heavy rainfall and no dry season.
Rainstorm A storm that brings a heavy downpour.
Snowball A handful of snow pressed round for throwing.
Snowdrift A deep heap of snow that the wind has piled against a wall or fence.
Snowflake One feathery ice crystal drifting down in winter.
Snowman A figure built from packed snow, often with a carrot for a nose.
Snowshoe A wide frame strapped under a boot for walking on deep snow.
Snowstorm Heavy snow falling with strong wind.
Snowsuit A padded one-piece outfit that keeps a child warm in winter.
Sunbeam One ray of light slanting through a window or a gap in the clouds.
Sunburn Red, sore skin after too long outside with no shade.
Sunflower A tall plant with a big yellow bloom and seeds you can eat.
Sunglasses Dark lenses worn outside on bright days.
Sunlight The light that reaches Earth from its nearest star.
Sunscreen Lotion rubbed on skin before a day at the beach.
Sunshine The warm, bright rays of a cloudless day.
Suntan Skin turned browner by days spent outdoors.
Sunup The time of day when morning light first appears.

Show all 175 words (154 more)

Foot, Hand and Tooth Compounds 19

Football A team game, and also the ball that is kicked or thrown in it.
Footbridge A bridge built for walkers, not cars.
Foothill A low hill at the base of a mountain.
Footpath A narrow track for people who are walking.
Footprint The mark a shoe or a bare sole leaves in mud or sand.
Footrest A support to rest your feet on while you sit.
Footstep The sound of someone taking one step.
Footstool A low piece of furniture for putting your feet up.
Handbag A small bag for carrying a wallet, keys and the like.
Handmade Made by a person, not by a machine.
Handprint The mark a painted palm leaves on paper.
Handrail A bar to hold on to beside the stairs.
Handshake A greeting in which two people clasp palms.
Handstand An upside-down balance with both palms flat on the floor.
Handwriting Words formed with a pen or pencil, not typed.
Toothache A pain in a tooth.
Toothbrush A small brush for cleaning teeth.
Toothpaste The minty paste squeezed from a tube before you clean your teeth.
Toothpick A thin pointed stick for getting food out from between teeth.

Eye, Ear and Head Compounds 20

Earache A pain inside the ear.
Eardrum A thin skin inside the ear that passes sound on.
Earmuff One of a pair of soft pads worn over the ears in the cold.
Earphone A tiny speaker held in or against the ear.
Earplug A soft stopper that keeps noise or water out of the ear.
Earring Jewelry that hangs from or clips to the lobe of the ear.
Eyeball The round part of the eye that sits in its socket.
Eyebrow The line of hair above each eye.
Eyeglasses A pair of lenses in a frame, worn to see better.
Eyelash One of the short hairs that grow along the edge of an eyelid.
Eyelid The fold of skin that closes over the eye when you blink.
Eyesight The power to see.
Headache A pain in the head.
Headband A strip of cloth worn around the head to hold hair back.
Headfirst With the head going in front, the way a diver enters the water.
Headlight A bright lamp on the front of a car.
Headline The large title above a news story.
Headphones A pair of speakers worn over the ears so only you can hear.
Headrest The part of a seat that supports the back of the head.
Headstand Balancing upside down with the top of the head on the floor.

Bed, Bath, Door and Book Compounds 18

Bathrobe A loose robe worn before or after washing.
Bathroom Where the sink, the mirror and the shower are.
Bathtub A long tub you fill with water to wash in.
Bedrock The solid rock that lies under soil and loose stones.
Bedroom The room in a house that is kept for sleeping.
Bedside The space right next to where you sleep.
Bedspread The top cover laid over a made bed.
Bedtime The hour when it is time to go to sleep.
Bookcase A piece of furniture with shelves for books.
Bookend A heavy support that stops a row of books from falling over.
Bookmark A strip of card that keeps your page.
Bookshelf A board on a wall where books stand in a row.
Bookworm Someone who always has a nose in a book.
Doorbell A button outside a house that rings to say someone is there.
Doormat A rough mat for wiping shoes before going in.
Doorstep The step just outside the front entrance of a house.
Doorstop A wedge or weight that holds a door open.
Doorway The opening you walk through to enter a room.

Play, Class and School Compounds 14

Classmate Someone taught in the same group as you at school.
Classroom The room where a teacher gives lessons.
Classwork Tasks done during a lesson, not taken home.
Playbook A book of plays; also a team's book of planned moves.
Playground An outdoor area with swings and slides.
Playmate A friend a child plays with.
Playpen A small fenced space where a baby can play safely.
Playroom A room kept for toys and games.
Playtime The part of the day set aside for games.
Schoolbag A bag for carrying books and pencils to lessons.
Schoolbook A textbook used for lessons.
Schoolhouse A building used as a school, often a small one.
Schoolwork Work a teacher sets for pupils.
Schoolyard The open ground beside a school where pupils go at recess.

Sea, Air and Star Compounds 22

Airbag A cushion in a car that fills with gas in a crash.
Airfield A stretch of ground where planes take off and land.
Airline A company that flies passengers from city to city.
Airmail Post that travels by plane, not by road or ship.
Airplane A flying machine with wings and engines.
Airport The place where passenger jets take off and land.
Airship A huge gas-filled craft that floats and is steered by engines.
Airtight Sealed so that no air can get in or out.
Seabed The floor of the ocean.
Seafood Fish and shellfish served as a meal.
Seagull A gray and white bird that cries over harbors and beaches.
Seaplane An aircraft that can take off from water and land on it.
Seaport A town with a harbor for ocean ships.
Seashell The empty shell of a sea animal, washed up on a beach.
Seashore The land along the edge of the ocean.
Seaside A place by the ocean, often visited on vacation.
Seaweed Algae that grow in the ocean, such as kelp.
Stardust Tiny grains of matter in space, or magic glitter in a story.
Starfish A sea animal shaped like a star.
Stargazer A person who watches the night sky.
Starlight Light from the stars.
Starship A spacecraft in stories that travels between the stars.

Back, Black and Blue Compounds 18

Backbone The row of bones down the middle of your back.
Backdrop A painted cloth hung at the rear of a stage.
Backfire To go wrong in a way that hurts the one who planned it.
Background The part of a picture that lies behind the main subject.
Backhand A tennis stroke hit with the arm across the body.
Backpack A bag worn on the shoulders, with a strap for each arm.
Backstage The area behind the curtain, where actors wait.
Backstroke A swimming style done face up.
Backyard The yard behind a house.
Blackberry A dark fruit of many tiny beads that grows on a thorny bush.
Blackbird A songbird with dark feathers.
Blackboard A dark board for writing on with chalk.
Blacksmith A worker who heats iron and hammers it into shape.
Blacktop The dark paving on a road or playground.
Bluebell A plant with drooping blue flowers shaped like bells.
Blueberry A small round berry that turns blue when ripe.
Bluebird A small songbird with sky-colored feathers.
Blueprint A detailed plan for a building or a machine.

Any, Some and Every Compounds 16

Anybody Any person; it does not matter who.
Anyone Any person at all.
Anything Any object, act or idea at all; no matter what.
Anytime At any moment you like.
Anyway In any case; all the same.
Anywhere In or to any place at all.
Everybody All people; every person.
Everyone Each person in a group, with nobody left out.
Everything All that there is; the whole lot.
Everywhere In all places.
Somebody An unknown person; also a person who matters.
Somehow By some means not known or explained.
Someone A person who is not named.
Something A thing that is not named.
Sometimes Now and then, but not always.
Somewhere In a place that is not named.

Little Word Compounds 27

Bypass A road that goes around a town, not through it.
Byway A quiet side road.
Inbox Where new email lands.
Indoors Within a building, not out in the open.
Inlet A narrow arm of water that reaches inland from the shore.
Input What you type or feed to a computer.
Inset A small picture or map placed inside a bigger one.
Inside Within; the inner part.
Into Toward the inside of.
Layup A basketball shot made from close to the basket.
Login The name and password you use to get into an account.
Maybe A word for "it could happen, and it could not".
Onset The start of something, such as winter.
Onto To a place on top of.
Outdo To do better than someone else.
Outfit The clothes picked to be worn together for one day or one event.
Outline A line drawn around the edge of a shape.
Outside Not in a building; in the open air.
Setup The way something is arranged or put together.
Today This present day.
Update To bring something up to date with the newest facts.
Upend To turn something on its end or upside down.
Uphill Up a slope, toward the top.
Upon A storybook word for on, as in "Once ___ a time".
Upright Standing straight, not leaning or lying down.
Upset Unhappy or worried; also to tip something over.
Upstairs On or to a higher floor.

How this list was compiled: Own work: the word lists and every meaning were written for this page. Every word was looked up on 2026-10-09 in Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/, where each has an English entry of its own written as one unbroken word. The three ways English writes a compound (open, hyphenated and closed) were read on 2026-10-09 at Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_compound. Licence: own work

How it works

This compound word word search opens on Rainbow and Raincoat, Football and Footprint, Bedroom and Bedtime, so pupils see the shared half. Each of the 175 words on the page is two smaller words joined with no space.

Read the full guide

Lists built on first words

Under Start from a list, Sun, Rain and Snow Compounds has 21 words, among them Sunglasses, Raindrop and Snowball. Foot, Hand and Tooth Compounds has Footstep, Handshake and Toothpick; Eye, Ear and Head Compounds has Eyebrow, Earring and Headphones. Five more run from Doorbell, Playground and Seashell to Backpack, Bluebird, Anyone and Everywhere.

A compound word wordsearch with clues

Under More options, tick Show clues, not words and each word gives way to its meaning: pupils read "A waterproof jacket for a wet day" and hunt for Raincoat. Little Word Compounds holds 27 built on in, on, up, out, to, be and by, such as Into, Upset, Today and Maybe.

Short Compound Words keeps to 4 or 5 letters, such as Onto, Inbox and Sunup, for a first puzzle.

Questions and answers

What is a compound word?

A word made by joining two or more words, such as sun and flower in sunflower. English writes compounds three ways: closed (basketball), hyphenated (mother-of-pearl) and open, with a space (ice cream).

What are 10 examples of compound words?

Sunflower, rainbow, snowman, football, handshake, toothbrush, bedroom, bookmark, seashell and starfish. All ten are in the puzzle this page opens on, and each splits into two words a pupil already knows: sun and flower, rain and bow, foot and ball.

Is today a compound word?

Yes. Today is to and day joined, and maybe is may and be. Into, onto and upon are built the same way. All five are in the Little Word Compounds list.

Is ice cream a compound word?

Yes, an open compound: two words with a space that name one thing. This puzzle keeps to closed compounds, which are written as one word, so ice cream and high school are not in its lists.

All 175 words

Sun, Rain and Snow Compounds 21

Foot, Hand and Tooth Compounds 19

Eye, Ear and Head Compounds 20

Bed, Bath, Door and Book Compounds 18

Play, Class and School Compounds 14

Sea, Air and Star Compounds 22

Back, Black and Blue Compounds 18

Any, Some and Every Compounds 16

Little Word Compounds 27

How it works

Lists built on first words

A compound word wordsearch with clues

Questions and answers

More tools