A portmanteau is a word that is derived from blending two or more distinct words, e.g., smog is derived from smoke and fog. In other words, there are two or more meanings (or parts) packed into one word. Portmanteau is also French for a large suitcase. A suitcase has two parts which fold into one piece of luggage. Similar to a suitcase, portmanteau words also have two parts that fold into one word.
Portmanteau Words
Understanding the components or parts of portmanteau words aids in comprehension. Our table below contains 185 portmanteau words. Please utilize our search bar to narrow your results.
Portmanteau Words | Components (Parts of the Word) |
---|---|
affluenza | affluence + influenza |
alphabet | alpha + bet |
alphanumeric | alphabetic + numeric |
anacronym | anachronism + acronym |
animatronics | animation + electronics |
anticipointment | anticipation + disappointment |
autobus | automobile + bus |
avionics | aviation + electronics |
backronym | back + acronym |
bash | bang + smash |
beefalo | beef + buffalo |
bionic | biology + electronics |
biopic | biographical + motion picture |
bit | binary + digit |
bleep | blankout + beep |
blimp | B category + limp |
blog | web + log |
blotch | blot + botch |
blurt | blow + spurt |
bodacious | body + audacious |
boost | boom + hoist |
Brangelina | Brad Pitt + Angela Jolie |
brash | bold + rash |
breathalyzer | breath + analyzer |
brunch | breakfast + lunch |
buffeteria | buffet + cafeteria |
bumble | bungle + stumble |
camcorder | camera + recorder |
caplet | capsule + tablet |
celebutant(e) | celebrity + debutant(e) |
cellophane | cellulose + diaphane |
chillax | chill + relax |
chocoholic | chocolate + alcoholic |
chortle | chuckle + snort |
chump | chunk + lump |
chunnel | channel + tunnel |
cineplex | cinema + complex |
clash | clap + clash |
clump | chunk + lump |
cocacolonization | Coca-Cola + colonization |
con man | confidence + man |
contrail | condensation + trail |
cosplay | costume + play |
cremains | cremate + remains |
cyborg | cybernetic + organism |
daisy | day's + eye |
dancercise | dance + exercise |
dandle | dance + handle |
ditsy | dizzy + dotty |
docudrama | documentary + drama |
dumbfound | dumb + confound |
econometric | economy+ metric |
edutainment | education + entertainment |
electrocute | electronic + execute |
electronic + mail | |
emoticon | emotion + icon |
escalator | escalade + elevator |
e-zine | electronic + magazine |
faction | fact + fiction |
fantabulous | fantastic + fabulous |
farewell | fare + ye + well |
flabbergast | flap + aghast |
flare | flame + glare |
flaunt | flout + vaunt |
flop | flap + drop |
flounder | flounce + founder |
flunk | flinch + funk |
flurry | flutter + hurry |
flush | flash + gush |
fortnight | fourteen + nights |
frankenfood | Frankenstein + food |
frappuccino | frappe + cappuccino |
freeware | free + software |
frenemy | friend + enemy |
gainsay | against + say |
galumph | gallop + triumph |
gasohol | gasoline + alcohol |
genome | gene + chromosome |
gerrymander | Gerry + salamander |
ginormous | gigantic + enormous |
glimmer | gleam + shimmer |
glitterati | glitter + literati |
glitz | glamour + ritz |
glob | globe + blob |
glop | goo + slop |
goodbye | God + be (with) + ye |
goon | gorilla + baboon |
guesstimate | guess + estimate |
hassle | haggle + tussle |
hazmat | hazardous + materials |
hi-fi | high + fidelity |
humongous | huge + monstrous |
infomercial | information + commercial |
infotainment | information + entertainment |
intercom | internal + communication |
Internet | international + network |
interrobang | interrogative + bang |
jamboree | jam + soiree |
jazzercise | jazz + exercise |
jeggings | jean + leggings |
kidvid | kids + video |
knowledgebase | knowledge + database |
labradooddle | labrador retriever + poodle |
malware | malicious + software |
manbag | man + handbag |
mcmansion | McDonalds + mansion |
Medicare | medicine + care |
meld | melt + weld |
mockumentary | mock + documentary |
modem | modulator + demodulator |
moped | motor + pedal |
motel | motor + hotel |
motocross | motor + cross country |
motorcade | motor + cavalcade |
multiplex | multiplex + complex |
Muppet | marionette + puppet |
napalm | naphthene + palmitate |
netiquette | Internet + etiquette |
netizen | Internet + citizen |
netocracy | internet + aristocracy |
newscast | news + broadcast |
outpatient | outside + patient |
pang | pain + sting |
paratroops | parachute + troops |
petrochemical | petroleum + chemical |
pixel | picture + element |
pizzone | pizza + calzone |
pluot | plum + apricot |
podcasting | iPod + broadcasting |
prequel | precede + sequel |
prissy | prim + sissy |
pro-am | professional + amateur |
prod | poke + rod |
pulsar | pulsating + star |
rubbage | rubbish + garbage |
satisfice | satisfy + suffice |
scrawl | scribble + sprawl |
screenager | screen + teenager |
scrunch | squeeze + crunch |
scuzzy | scrummy + lousy |
seascape | sea + landscape |
shopaholic | shop + alcoholic |
simulcast | simultaneous + broadcast |
sitcom | situation + comedy |
skort | skirt + shorts |
skyjack | sky + hijack |
skylab | sky + laboratory |
skype | sky + peer-to-peer |
slang | slovenly + language |
slather | slap + lather |
slosh | slop + slush |
smash | smack + mash |
smog | smoke + fog |
snark (snarky) | snide + remark |
snazzy | snappy & jazzy |
soundscape | sound + landscape |
splatter | splash + spatter |
splurge | splash + surge |
sportscast | sports + broadcast |
squash | squeeze + crash |
squawk | squall + squeak |
squiggle | squirm + wiggle |
streetball | street + basketball |
swipe | wipe + sweep |
tangelo | tangerine + pomelo |
taxicab | taximeter + cabriolet |
telecommuter | telecommunication + commuter |
telegenic | television + photogenic |
telethon | telephone + marathon |
televangelist | television + evangelist |
Tex-Mex | Texan + Mexican |
transistor | transfer + resistor |
transponder | transmitter + responder |
travelogue | travel + monologue |
tween | teen + between |
twiddle | twist + fiddle |
twinight | twilight + night |
twirl | twist + whirl |
urinalysis | urine + analysis |
vitamin | vital + amine |
waddle | wade + toddle |
webcast | world wide web + broadcast |
webinar | world wide web + seminar |
Wi-Fi | wireless + fidelity |
workaholic | work + alcoholic |
Aida says
Thanks for this info.