Portmanteau

usgb/pɔːrtˈmæntəʊ/
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'.
Visual representation of "portmanteau" - A word made by combining two different words to create a new one with a different meaning.

Often appears as...

  • 'make a portmanteau'
  • 'portmanteau of'
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "portmanteau"
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Inventive Wordplay

Portmanteaus are playful and creative, often used for humor or impact in informal settings.

Illustration for Inventive Wordplay
The word 'smog' is a portmanteau, combining 'smoke' and 'fog'.
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Branding Tool

Portmanteaus are commonly used in marketing to create catchy, memorable brand names.

Illustration for Branding Tool
The brand name 'Microsoft' is a portmanteau of 'microcomputer' and 'software'.
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Cultural Context

Some portmanteaus reference popular culture and might not be understood outside that context.

Illustration for Cultural Context
The term 'Bollywood' is a portmanteau of 'Bombay' (now Mumbai) and 'Hollywood'.
Visual representation of the word "Portmanteau"

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