Portmanteau words, also called blends, are words formed by merging or blending two or more existing words.
The words “breakfast” and “lunch” blended form the portmanteau word “brunch.’’
A brunch is a meal combining both breakfast and lunch. It is usually eaten in the late morning.
Although portmanteaus can be used in most situations, they are generally used in informal situations and creative writing.
Most portmanteaus are formed with the first segment of one word and the last of another.
|
Word 1 |
Word 2 |
Portmanteau |
Meaning |
|
costume |
roleplay |
cosplay |
Dressing up as a movie/book/video game character. |
|
television |
marathon |
telethon |
Long televised fundraising event. |
|
jeans |
legging |
jegging |
Tight-fitting stretched pants that look like denim jeans. |
However, some portmanteaus blend the first segments of both words.
|
Word 1 |
Word 2 |
Portmanteau |
Meaning |
|
romantic |
comedy |
romcom |
Movie or television program about love that intends to make the audience laugh. |
|
interconnected |
communication |
intercom |
Device equipped with a microphone and a loudspeaker used to communicate with someone who is in a different place. |
|
frozen |
yogurt |
froyo |
A yogurt-based frozen dessert. |
In other cases, some portmanteaus contain a full word mixed with a letter or a fragment of another word.
|
Word 1 |
Word 2 |
Portmanteau |
Meaning |
|
hungry |
angry |
hangry |
Being irritable because of hunger. |
|
video |
log |
vlog |
Blog type where users post their content in video format. |
|
brain |
maniac |
brainiac |
Someone who is exceptionnaly intelligent. |