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Have you ever been hangry, used a spork, or ridden a moped?
Read on to discover more about portmanteaus and how to introduce these fun words to kids. And be sure to check out the fun printable game at the end of this post!
What in the World Is a Portmanteau?
I’m glad you asked!
A portmanteau (pôrt-mănʹ-tō) is a word that is created when the sounds and meanings of two different words are blended into one. For example, spork comes from a mash-up of spoon and fork. The word portmanteau itself comes from the French words for porter (which means to carry) and manteau, which means mantle, or coat. For a quick demonstration, watch the video below. (Our video team got a bit creative with this one!)
Here are a few more examples of portmanteaus:
Play with Portmanteaus
Portmanteaus are “made-up” words that have worked their way into our everyday language and that concept is pretty funny to children! When I talked about portmanteaus with my children when they were young, my daughter came up with sweems (sweet dreams) right on the spot, giggling at the idea.
I didn’t realize that Portmanteau is the official term for combining words like spork! I’m going to have to download this resource- my daughter will love it!
I’m sorry you couldn’t see the video, Angela! It’s a hilarious one!
The video is in the blog post for me, so I am unsure what you are experiencing. Please try again, maybe using a different browser. You could also see the video on our YouTube channel. Here is the link: How to Create a Portmanteau…or Not!
thank you so very much I am Accustomed with the Term Blending and this is my first time to hear the word Portmanteau and I was surprise and the activities are so fun I love it and my learners would surely love it to thank you.
Here are some examples of my known portmanteaus with their meanings:
frenemy=friend+enemy (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a person who pretends to be your friend but is in fact an enemy)
smog=smoke+fog (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a fog made heavier and darker by smoke and chemical fumes)
spork=spoon+fork (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a spoon-shaped eating utensil with short tines at the tip)
liger=lion+tiger (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a hybrid offspring between a male lion and a female tiger)
brunch=breakfast+lunch (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a late morning meal eaten instead of breakfast and lunch)
hypercane=hyper+hurricane (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a hypothetical class of an extreme hurricane formed by hot ocean water and can span over the continent)
motel=motor+hotel (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a roadside hotel designed primarily for motorists, typically having the rooms arranged in low blocks with parking directly outside)
moonbow=moon+rainbow (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a rainbow formed by moonlight)
Eurasia=Europe+Asia (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a large continent comprising Europe and Asia)
mornight=morning+night (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a darkness period during the early hours of the day after midnight and before dawn or morning)
Such a great list of portmanteaus, Masashi. I’ve not heard of a few of them, such as mornight. I’m going to start using that one, because I’m up while it is still mornight every day!
Maria Lemos
says:This is such a great program!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Maria!
Sabrina
says:I am 35 and this is the first time I have ever heard of this word, although I know what the terms mean mentioned… Thanks
!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad we could help you learn something new, Sabrina!
Whitney P
says:I didn’t realize that Portmanteau is the official term for combining words like spork! I’m going to have to download this resource- my daughter will love it!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad this helped you learn something new, Whitney. I hope your daughter has a lot of fun with this!
Beth C.
says:My kids love making up their own words like this. Love this game! Thank you!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Beth!
Elena Taylor
says:Certainly a new word for a concept I take for granted. Thanks.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Elena.
Lori Seger
says:That is a neat idea for a game. I’m sure the kids will get creative making their own words.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI hope you and your kids have a lot of fun with this, Lori!
MistyB
says:That’s a new word for me and my daughters :)
Great post
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Misty!
Nicole Green
says:This is a new word for me. It’s great to learn something new everyday!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad we helped you learn something new, Nicole!
Megan
says:Interesting post!
Elizabeth H
says:I had never heard this term before. Interesting to learn something new
Will G
says:I had never heard of Portmanteau.
Judith Martinez
says:I did not know those had a special name!! How fun!
ANGELA J PRINGLE
says:sign of the times reading!!!!
Missy
says:We have played this with our kids. I didn’t realize there is an actual name for it!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad to help you learn something, Missy!
Angelia Bauer
says:Looks like a fun way to learn!
Brina
says:Looks like such a fun game!
Krisi Green
says:This looks like such a fun game! Thank you!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Krisi!
Corky J Cavera
says:We love playing with words. Have you ever hiccuburped?
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’ve not heard of hiccuburped, Corky! But I knew exactly what it was as soon as a saw it. That’s a good one.
Martha S Willis
says:We have fun with portmanteaus often. We like to make up new ones. Didn’t know what it was actually called until I read your post.
Sarah
says:We do this all the time. I had no idea there was a word for it.
Shelly Bergman
says:I learned a new word today! :) What a fun activity!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad you enjoyed it, Shelly!
SX
says:Hilarious but wonderful for learning.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you!
Angela
says:Where is the video?
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m sorry you couldn’t see the video, Angela! It’s a hilarious one!
The video is in the blog post for me, so I am unsure what you are experiencing. Please try again, maybe using a different browser. You could also see the video on our YouTube channel. Here is the link: How to Create a Portmanteau…or Not!
Katie
says:When she was two, my daughter said, “See you tomorning!”
Tomorrow + morning
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceOh, I love “tomorning!” What a great word, Katie.
Cora
says:My little will have great fun with the bingo game. She loves playing with words.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you for letting us know your child enjoyed the game, Cora!
Katie
says:When she was two, my daughter said, “See you tomorning!” tomorrow + morning
Brenda Grupe
says:This is awesfun! (Awesome fun)
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI love awesfun! Thanks for the word, Brenda.
Donald Errol Knight
says:Smingo= Smash-up + Bingo
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceLove it!
Jay
says:How fun! I love The Jabberwocky and crazy words :) My kids will enjoy the game, methinks: thank y’all!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Jay!
EDMON ADESAS
says:thank you so very much I am Accustomed with the Term Blending and this is my first time to hear the word Portmanteau and I was surprise and the activities are so fun I love it and my learners would surely love it to thank you.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re very welcome, Edmon! Portmanteaus are just one of the many ways English can be fun to play with. ?
Masashi Ng
says:Here are some examples of my known portmanteaus with their meanings:
frenemy=friend+enemy (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a person who pretends to be your friend but is in fact an enemy)
smog=smoke+fog (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a fog made heavier and darker by smoke and chemical fumes)
spork=spoon+fork (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a spoon-shaped eating utensil with short tines at the tip)
liger=lion+tiger (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a hybrid offspring between a male lion and a female tiger)
brunch=breakfast+lunch (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a late morning meal eaten instead of breakfast and lunch)
hypercane=hyper+hurricane (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a hypothetical class of an extreme hurricane formed by hot ocean water and can span over the continent)
motel=motor+hotel (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a roadside hotel designed primarily for motorists, typically having the rooms arranged in low blocks with parking directly outside)
moonbow=moon+rainbow (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a rainbow formed by moonlight)
Eurasia=Europe+Asia (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a large continent comprising Europe and Asia)
mornight=morning+night (Speech Part:noun) (Meaning:a darkness period during the early hours of the day after midnight and before dawn or morning)
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceSuch a great list of portmanteaus, Masashi. I’ve not heard of a few of them, such as mornight. I’m going to start using that one, because I’m up while it is still mornight every day!