Portmanteau: meaning, definitions and examples

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portmanteau

[pɔːrtˈmæntoʊ ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

word combination

A portmanteau is a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others, for example, brunch (breakfast + lunch) or smog (smoke + fog). Portmanteaus are commonly used in the English language to create new words that convey a specific meaning.

Synonyms

blend, compound word.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
portmanteau	Used to describe a word that is created by combining parts of two or more words, typically to form a single new word that has some meaning relating to both of the original words. 'Brunch' is a portmanteau of 'breakfast' and 'lunch' Another example is 'smog', which combines 'smoke' and 'fog'
blend	Used when two or more words are merged to form a new word, often to create a word that conveys meanings associated with its components. This term is particularly common in linguistic studies. 'Motel' is a blend of 'motor' and 'hotel'
compound word	Used to describe a word that is formed by joining two or more words, where each part contributes to the meaning of the whole. These can be written as one word, hyphenated, or as separate words. 'Toothbrush' is a compound word made from 'tooth' and 'brush' Another example is 'bookstore'

Word

Description / Examples

portmanteau

Used to describe a word that is created by combining parts of two or more words, typically to form a single new word that has some meaning relating to both of the original words.

'Brunch' is a portmanteau of 'breakfast' and 'lunch'
Another example is 'smog', which combines 'smoke' and 'fog'

blend

Used when two or more words are merged to form a new word, often to create a word that conveys meanings associated with its components. This term is particularly common in linguistic studies.

'Motel' is a blend of 'motor' and 'hotel'

compound word

Used to describe a word that is formed by joining two or more words, where each part contributes to the meaning of the whole. These can be written as one word, hyphenated, or as separate words.

'Toothbrush' is a compound word made from 'tooth' and 'brush'
Another example is 'bookstore'

Examples of usage

A popular portmanteau is 'podcast' (iPod + broadcast), referring to digital audio or video files available for streaming or downloading.
'Spork' is another well-known portmanteau, combining 'spoon' and 'fork' to describe a utensil with features of both.
The term 'staycation' (stay + vacation) became popular during the recession, describing a holiday spent at home instead of traveling.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'portmanteau' originally referred to a suitcase with two compartments, reflecting the idea of combining two things.
The word comes from the French 'porter' (to carry) and 'manteau' (coat), describing an item that carries multiple items.
The modern linguistic use was popularized by author Lewis Carroll in his poem 'Jabberwocky,' where he called some of his made-up words portmanteaus.

Linguistics

Common examples include 'smog' (smoke + fog) and 'motel' (motor + hotel), demonstrating how language evolves creatively.
Portmanteaus often reflect cultural trends; for example, 'infomercial' (information + commercial) emerged in the television age.
They can be playful; for example, 'brunch' (breakfast + lunch) cleverly captures a social meal time.

Pop Culture

In modern media, 'grommet' (from 'grommet' + 'grom', slang for a young person) exemplifies how portmanteaus can symbolize youth culture.
'Spork' (spoon + fork) is a common kitchen utensil, embodying the fusion trend in modern dining.
Various movie titles also use portmanteaus, such as 'Frenemies' (friends + enemies), emphasizing complex relationships.

Psychology

Using portmanteaus can enhance cognitive engagement, making language learning more fun and memorable.
These word blends can evoke humor and creativity, encouraging playful thinking in language use.
They often simplify communication, allowing for more concise expressions of complex ideas or identities, e.g., 'ginormous' (gigantic + enormous).

Education

Teachers often use portmanteaus in word games to engage students and promote vocabulary expansion.
Learning about portmanteaus encourages critical thinking as students analyze the meanings and sounds of combined words.
They are popular in language arts curricula, serving as a bridge between creativity and linguistic understanding.

Translations

Translations of the word "portmanteau" in other languages:

🇵🇹 palavra-valise

🇮🇳 समास

🇩🇪 Kofferwort

🇮🇩 kata gabungan

🇺🇦 портманто

🇵🇱 złożenie

🇯🇵 混成語

🇫🇷 mot-valise

🇪🇸 palabra maleta

🇹🇷 birleşik kelime

🇰🇷 혼성어

🇸🇦 كلمة مركبة

🇨🇿 kufříkové slovo

🇸🇰 spojenie slov

🇨🇳 混成词

🇸🇮 zloženka

🇮🇸 samsetningur

🇰🇿 құрама сөз

🇬🇪 შერეული სიტყვა

🇦🇿 birləşmiş söz

🇲🇽 palabra maleta

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,415, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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27412 retracting
27413 cramming
27414 hibernating
27415 portmanteau
27416 peaty
27417 gorse
27418 pincers
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