Portmanteau
noun
A word made by combining two different words to create a new one with a different meaning.
The word 'brunch' is a portmanteau of 'breakfast' and 'lunch'.
Often appears as...
- 'make a portmanteau'
- 'portmanteau of'
noun
A large travelling bag or suitcase.
He packed his clothes into a large leather portmanteau.
Often appears as...
- 'pack a portmanteau'
- 'large portmanteau'
noun
A word made by combining two different words to create a new one with a different meaning.
The word 'brunch' is a portmanteau of 'breakfast' and 'lunch'.
Often appears as...
- 'make a portmanteau'
- 'portmanteau of'
noun
A large travelling bag or suitcase.
He packed his clothes into a large leather portmanteau.
Often appears as...
- 'pack a portmanteau'
- 'large portmanteau'
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Inventive Wordplay
Portmanteaus are playful and creative, often used for humor or impact in informal settings.
The word 'smog' is a portmanteau, combining 'smoke' and 'fog'.
Pro Tip 2/3Branding Tool
Portmanteaus are commonly used in marketing to create catchy, memorable brand names.
The brand name 'Microsoft' is a portmanteau of 'microcomputer' and 'software'.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Context
Some portmanteaus reference popular culture and might not be understood outside that context.
The term 'Bollywood' is a portmanteau of 'Bombay' (now Mumbai) and 'Hollywood'.
Pro Tip 1/3Inventive Wordplay
Portmanteaus are playful and creative, often used for humor or impact in informal settings.
The word 'smog' is a portmanteau, combining 'smoke' and 'fog'.
Pro Tip 2/3Branding Tool
Portmanteaus are commonly used in marketing to create catchy, memorable brand names.
The brand name 'Microsoft' is a portmanteau of 'microcomputer' and 'software'.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Context
Some portmanteaus reference popular culture and might not be understood outside that context.
The term 'Bollywood' is a portmanteau of 'Bombay' (now Mumbai) and 'Hollywood'.
Pro Tip 1/3Inventive Wordplay
Portmanteaus are playful and creative, often used for humor or impact in informal settings.
The word 'smog' is a portmanteau, combining 'smoke' and 'fog'.
Pro Tip 2/3Branding Tool
Portmanteaus are commonly used in marketing to create catchy, memorable brand names.
The brand name 'Microsoft' is a portmanteau of 'microcomputer' and 'software'.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Context
Some portmanteaus reference popular culture and might not be understood outside that context.
The term 'Bollywood' is a portmanteau of 'Bombay' (now Mumbai) and 'Hollywood'.
Never forget "Portmanteau"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
The science of smog -...
and blocked out the Sun. Panicked residents believed their city had been attacked using chemical warfare. But the cloud wasn't an act of war. It was smog. A portmanteau of smoke and fog,
Video examples
The science of smog -...
and blocked out the Sun. Panicked residents believed their city had been attacked using chemical warfare. But the cloud wasn't an act of war. It was smog. A portmanteau of smoke and fog,
Example 1 of 1
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension