Compound Nouns Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library - Free Printable

Let’s go through each sentence one by one and think of a compound noun that fits. A compound noun is two words put together to make one idea — like “toothbrush” or “raincoat.” We’ll pick ones that make sense in the sentence.

1. My father said my dress was too ________________.
→ Maybe “tight-fitting”? Or “short-sleeved”? But let’s think… maybe “too *long-winded*”? No, that doesn’t fit clothes. How about “too *fancy-looking*”? Hmm. Actually, common ones: “too *tight-fitting*” or “too *bright-colored*.” Let’s go with “bright-colored” — it makes sense for a dress.

Wait — actually, “too *short-skirted*”? Not quite. Maybe “too *frilly-looking*”? Still not perfect. Let’s try simpler: “too *dressy-looking*”? Nah. What about “too *hand-me-down*”? That could work if it’s old. But let’s think of something more natural.
Actually, “too *tight-fitting*” is good. Or even better — “too *low-cut*”? That’s a compound noun! Yes — “low-cut” works well for a dress.

But let’s check others first and come back.

2. That ________________ is almost 100 years old.
→ Could be “grandfather clock,” “antique car,” “old house,” but we need a compound noun. “Grandfather clock” is perfect — it’s a thing that can be 100 years old. So: “grandfather clock”

3. My paper boat floated ________________.
→ Where? “Downstream”? “Across pond”? “On water”? But those aren’t compound nouns. “Waterway”? Too big. “Bathtub full”? No. Wait — “downriver”? Not quite. Maybe “across lake”? Still not compound.
What about “on surface”? No.
Ah — “in bathtub”? Not compound.
Maybe “along stream”? Still not.
Wait — what if it’s “float away”? But that’s a verb phrase.
Hmm. Maybe “on top”? No.
Actually, perhaps “downstream” is acceptable as a compound adverb? But we need a noun.
Wait — maybe “paper boat floated *on pond*”? “Pond” isn’t compound.
How about “floated *across yard*”? No.
This is tricky. Maybe “floated *in gutter*”? “Gutter” isn’t compound.
Wait — what if it’s “floated *down drain*”? “Drain” isn’t compound.
Perhaps “floated *on lake*”? Still no.
Let’s skip and come back.

4. The group leader asked us all to wear a ________________.
→ Uniform? Name tag? Safety vest? “Name tag” is a compound noun. “Safety vest” also. “Team shirt”? Maybe. “Uniform” alone isn’t compound. “Hard hat”? Good for safety. But context? Group leader — maybe school trip? “Name tag” is safe. Let’s go with “name tag”

5. The cereal I wanted was right at ________________ on the shelf.
→ Eye level? Top row? Bottom shelf? “Eye level” is a compound noun! Perfect. So: “eye level”

6. I think that we need some new ________________.
→ School supplies? Furniture? Clothes? “School supplies” is compound. “Furniture” isn’t. “Toys” isn’t. “Books” isn’t. “Notebooks”? Not really compound. “Backpacks”? No.
“Cleaning supplies”? Maybe. “Art supplies”? Yes — “art supplies” is a compound noun. Or “school supplies.” Let’s pick “school supplies”

7. My father is on the ________________ to promotion.
→ Career path? Fast track? Ladder? “Fast track” is a compound noun! Yes — “on the fast track to promotion.” So: “fast track”

8. I have an appointment to get some ________________ done.
→ Haircut? Teeth cleaned? Car fixed? “Haircut” is compound. “Teeth cleaning”? Also compound. “Car wash”? Maybe. But “get some haircut done” sounds odd. “Get some teeth cleaning done” — okay. “Get some lawn mowing done”? Possible.
Better: “get some *hair cutting* done”? Not standard.
Actually, “get some *dentist work* done”? Not great.
Common phrase: “get some *house cleaning* done” — yes! “House cleaning” is a compound noun. Or “car repair.” Let’s go with “house cleaning”

9. My sister creates art with a ________________.
→ Paintbrush? Crayon box? Marker set? “Paintbrush” is compound. “Crayon box” too. “Marker pen”? Maybe. “Art kit”? Yes — “art kit” is compound. Or “paint set.” Let’s pick “paintbrush” — simple and clear.

10. We got the ________________ after the fire drill and went inside.
→ All clear? Signal? Message? “All clear” is a compound noun! Yes — “got the all clear.” So: “all clear”

11. My parents ________________ everything I want to do.
→ Stop me? Allow me? Encourage me? Need a compound noun? Wait — this might be a verb phrase. But the blank is for a compound noun? Let’s read again: “My parents ________________ everything I want to do.”
That doesn’t sound right for a noun. Unless it’s “My parents [are] ________________...” but it’s not written that way.
Wait — maybe it’s “My parents *disapprove of*...” but that’s not a noun.
Perhaps it’s a typo? Or maybe “My parents *give permission for*...” still not noun.
Wait — what if it’s “My parents *set limits on*...” no.
Another thought: maybe it’s “My parents *have rules about*...” still not.
Perhaps it’s “My parents *make decisions for*...” no.
Wait — maybe the compound noun is “rule-makers”? Like “My parents rule-makers everything...” — no, grammar wrong.
Perhaps it’s “My parents *are control-freaks*...” but that’s informal.
Let’s look at structure: subject + blank + object. So blank must be a verb? But instructions say “compound noun”.
Unless... maybe it’s “My parents *enforce curfew*...” but “curfew” isn’t compound.
Wait — what if it’s “My parents *impose restrictions*...” “Restrictions” isn’t compound.
This is confusing. Maybe it’s “My parents *set boundaries*...” “Boundaries” isn’t compound.
Perhaps it’s “My parents *give ultimatums*...” no.
Wait — maybe it’s “My parents *are sticklers for*...” not noun.
I think there might be a mistake in the worksheet, but let’s try: “My parents *have veto power over*...” “Veto power” is a compound noun! And it fits: “My parents veto power over everything...” — wait, grammar: should be “My parents *have* veto power over...” but the sentence doesn’t have “have”.
The sentence is: “My parents ________________ everything I want to do.”
So if we put “veto power”, it becomes “My parents veto power everything...” which is wrong.
Unless it’s “My parents *exercise veto power over*...” too long.
Perhaps it’s “My parents *are gatekeepers of*...” “Gatekeepers” is compound? “Gate keeper” is two words, but often written as one. “Gatekeeper” is a compound noun. And “My parents gatekeeper everything...” — still needs “are” or “act as”.
This is problematic. Maybe it’s “My parents *set ground rules for*...” “Ground rules” is compound! And “My parents ground rules everything...” — no, still missing verb.
Wait — perhaps the blank is for a verb that is a compound? But instructions say “compound noun”.
Let’s assume it’s “My parents *impose ground rules on*...” but again, not fitting.
Another idea: “My parents *have final say on*...” “Final say” is compound noun. But same issue.
Perhaps the sentence is meant to be “My parents ________________ my choices.” and blank is “make decisions for” — not noun.
I think there might be an error, but let’s try “ground rules” and assume it’s “My parents set ground rules for everything...” but the word “set” isn’t there.
Wait — what if it’s “My parents *are enforcers of*...” “Enforcers” isn’t compound.
Let’s skip and come back.

12. I prefer to write with ________________ pens.
→ Gel pens? Ballpoint pens? Fountain pens? “Gel pens” — “gel” is adjective, not compound. “Ballpoint” is a compound noun! Yes — “ballpoint pens”. Or “fountain pens”. “Ballpoint” is one word, compound. So: “ballpoint”

Now back to #3: My paper boat floated ________________.
What compound noun fits? Maybe “downstream” — but is it a noun? In context, “floated downstream” — “downstream” can be an adverb, but sometimes used as noun.
Or “across pond” — no.
Wait — what about “in bathtub”? “Bathtub” is a compound noun! Yes! “My paper boat floated in bathtub.” But usually we say “in the bathtub”, but maybe acceptable.
Or “on lake” — “lake” not compound.
“Down river”? “River” not compound.
“Along creek”? No.
Another idea: “floated *away from shore*”? “Shore” not compound.
Perhaps “floated *on water surface*”? “Water surface” is compound! Yes — “water surface” is a compound noun. So: “water surface”

And #1: My father said my dress was too ________________.
Let’s go with “low-cut” — it’s a common compound adjective/noun for dresses.

#11: Still stuck. Let’s think differently. What if it’s “My parents *have veto power over*...” but the sentence doesn’t have “have”.
Perhaps it’s “My parents *are veto-power holders*...” too forced.
Wait — what if it’s “My parents *set curfew times*...” “Curfew times” — “curfew” is compound? “Curfew” is one word, but not typically considered compound.
Another thought: “My parents *impose bedtime rules*...” “Bedtime rules” — “bedtime” is compound, “rules” is separate.
Perhaps “My parents *enforce house rules*...” “House rules” is a compound noun! And if we interpret the sentence as “My parents [enforce] house rules [for] everything...” but it’s not written that way.
Wait — maybe the blank is “house rules” and the sentence is “My parents house rules everything...” which is grammatically incorrect.
I think there might be a typo in the worksheet. Perhaps it’s supposed to be “My parents ________________ my activities.” and blank is “set limits on” — not noun.
Let’s look for compound nouns that can be verbs? Unlikely.
Another idea: “My parents *give thumbs-down to*...” “Thumbs-down” is a compound noun! And “My parents thumbs-down everything...” — still needs “give” or “say”.
But in informal English, “thumbs-down” can be used as a verb? Rare.
Perhaps it’s “My parents *are thumbs-down on*...” not fitting.
Let’s try “ground rules” and assume it’s implied. Or perhaps “My parents *have final authority over*...” “Final authority” is compound.
I think the best guess is “ground rules” and hope the sentence means “My parents set ground rules for everything...” even though “set” is missing.
Alternatively, “My parents *make household rules for*...” “Household rules” — “household” is compound.
But let’s go with “ground rules” as it’s commonly used.

Final list:

1. low-cut
2. grandfather clock
3. water surface
4. name tag
5. eye level
6. school supplies
7. fast track
8. house cleaning
9. paintbrush
10. all clear
11. ground rules
12. ballpoint

Let me double-check #3: “floated water surface” — should be “on the water surface”, but maybe acceptable in fill-in.
#11: “My parents ground rules everything” — awkward, but perhaps intended as “My parents [set] ground rules [for] everything” — we’ll go with it.

Okay, I think these are reasonable answers.

Final Answer:
1. low-cut
2. grandfather clock
3. water surface
4. name tag
5. eye level
6. school supplies
7. fast track
8. house cleaning
9. paintbrush
10. all clear
11. ground rules
12. ballpoint