Compound
/ˈkɒmpaʊnd/
Definitions
4 meaningsA thing consisting of two or more elements, ingredients, or parts.
/ˈkɒmpaʊnd/
A thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture.
Salt is a common compound used in cooking.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're baking a cake. The cake is a compound, because it's made up of lots of different ingredients mixed together. You wouldn't just eat flour, you'd eat the compound - the cake!
👶 For kids: A compound is when you mix two or more things together to make something new!
More Examples
The scientist analyzed the chemical compound.
The security guard patrolled the compound throughout the night.
How It's Used
"Water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen."
"The temple complex was a large compound with several buildings."
To make something worse, more serious, or more intense; to add to.
/kəmˈpaʊnd/
To make something worse; to intensify.
The delay compounded the already difficult situation.
💡 Simply: Imagine you make a mistake, and then, to make it worse, you make another mistake. Each mistake adds to the problem, which is 'compounding' the problem.
👶 For kids: To make something even bigger or worse.
More Examples
The error compounded the problem of meeting the deadline.
The stress of the project compounded the team's fatigue.
How It's Used
"The interest on the loan was compounded annually."
"The mistake compounded his difficulties."
To put together or combine two or more things or parts; form by combining parts or elements.
/kəmˈpaʊnd/
To put together; combine
The scientist compounded the chemicals to create the new substance.
💡 Simply: When you compound things, you're putting them together to make a whole new thing. Think of like Lego blocks.
👶 For kids: To put things together to make something.
More Examples
The author compounded several storylines into one novel.
To compound a solution, you need to mix the right amount of chemicals together.
How It's Used
"The writer compounded two different sentences into a single sentence."
Consisting of two or more parts; composite.
/ˈkɒmpaʊnd/
Made up of two or more parts.
A compound word is formed by joining two words.
💡 Simply: If something's 'compound' it means it's made up of a few parts. Like a sandwich made of bread, meat, and cheese.
👶 For kids: Made of two or more parts.
More Examples
The problem was compounded by the compound effect of multiple failures.
The compound interest grows significantly over time.
How It's Used
"A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses."
"The judge sentenced them to a compound punishment."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
compound interest
Interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods.
"Investing early will allow your money to benefit from compound interest."
in compound
Combined; mixed.
"The ingredients were mixed in compound to make the recipe."
From Old French 'compondre' (to put together), from Latin 'componere' (to put together; compose), from 'com-' (together) + 'ponere' (to place).
The word 'compound' has been used in scientific and legal contexts for centuries, with its financial use (compound interest) gaining prominence in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Memory tip
Think of a recipe – the final dish (compound) is made of individual ingredients.
Word Origin
"To put together; compose"