Compound Words Worksheet for 8-Year-Olds (English) — 17 Words & Activities

Free worksheet covering English for age 8 students. Created with Learning Corner's AI-powered tools.

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Instructions

Compound words are formed when two smaller words are put together to create a brand new word with its own meaning (like sun + flower = sunflower).

  1. Complete all sections below, following the specific directions for each task.
  2. Write neatly and clearly in the spaces provided.
  3. Attempt the Challenge Question at the end if you finish early!

Section 1: Breaking Apart Compound Words

In the table below, break each compound word into the two smaller words that create it. One example is done for you.

Compound Word First Word Second Word
Example: popgun pop gun
1. Dustpan
2. Nutshell
3. Upwind
4. Handgun
5. Gunshot

Section 2: Matching Meaning

Match the compound word on the left to its definition on the right by drawing a line or writing the correct letter beside the number.

Compound Word Definition
6. Buckskin A. A dark area that appears on the sun.
7. Castoff B. A pile of work that has not been finished yet.
8. Codfish C. The hard, outer covering of an egg.
9. Backlog D. The skin or soft leather from a male deer.
10. Sunspot E. Something thrown away or left behind.
11. Eggshell F. A type of fish often caught for food.

Section 3: Building and Using

Combine the two words provided to create a compound word, and then use that new word correctly in a sentence. One example is done for you.

First Word Second Word Compound Word Sentence
Example: check list checklist Did you remember everything on your checklist for the trip?
12. hand held
13. dish pan
14. back drop
15. ink jet

Section 4: Context Clues

Choose the best compound word from the list below to complete each sentence.

Word Bank: handgun, handheld, dustpan, codfish, gunshot, nutshell

  1. My mom used the brush and the ________________ to sweep the crumbs off the kitchen floor.

  2. The small camera was ________________ so I could easily carry it in my pocket.

  3. The loud noise we heard outside sounded like a distant ________________.

  4. In a ________________, the teacher explained the whole project in just three minutes.

Challenge Extension

Find one new compound word that was not used in this worksheet (e.g., football, rainbow). Write it down and use it in a descriptive sentence.

Compound Word: _______________________

Challenge Sentence: _________________________________________________________

Answer Key

Section 1: Breaking Apart Compound Words

Compound Word First Word Second Word
1. Dustpan dust pan
2. Nutshell nut shell
3. Upwind up wind
4. Handgun hand gun
5. Gunshot gun shot

Section 2: Matching Meaning

Compound Word Definition
6. Buckskin D
7. Castoff E
8. Codfish F
9. Backlog B
10. Sunspot A
11. Eggshell C

Section 3: Building and Using

First Word Second Word Compound Word Sentence
12. hand held handheld (Sentence must use handheld, e.g., I play games on my handheld device.)
13. dish pan dishpan (Sentence must use dishpan, e.g., Please put the soapy water in the dishpan.)
14. back drop backdrop (Sentence must use backdrop, e.g., The mountain was a perfect backdrop for the photo.)
15. ink jet inkjet (Sentence must use inkjet, e.g., I need to replace the cartridge in the inkjet printer.)

Section 4: Context Clues

  1. My mom used the brush and the dustpan to sweep the crumbs off the kitchen floor.
  2. The small camera was handheld so I could easily carry it in my pocket.
  3. The loud noise we heard outside sounded like a distant gunshot.
  4. In a nutshell, the teacher explained the whole project in just three minutes.

Note: Challenge Extension answers will vary.

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