compound verb

linguistics

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June 24, 2026

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In linguistics, a compound verb is formed by combining two or more words to create a single verbal unit. These can be styled as solid words, hyphenated, or as open compounds (two separate words).

Examples of solid compounds include words like "upgrade" or "bypass," where a particle is followed by a verb. Hyphenated compounds often involve two-letter particles, such as "lean-to" or "add-on," aiding comprehension. Verb + particle compounds can also be hyphenated, like "hanger-on" or "falling-out." Open compounds consist of a verb followed by an adverb or preposition, such as "set to" or "strike out".1

The verb "compound" itself can also mean to make greater or to bring together to form a new whole.2

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Indigenous languages of North America
Grammar
…be seen in such frozen compounds as to babysit, to backstab) but is common and productive in a number of Indigenous North American languages—e.g., Southern Tiwa (Kiowa-Tanoan family) tiseuanmũban, made up of ti-seuan-mũ-ban [I.him-man-see-past.tense] ‘I saw a man.’
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…be seen in such frozen compounds as to babysit, to backstab) but is common and productive in a number of Indigenous North American languages—e.g., Southern Tiwa (Kiowa-Tanoan family) tiseuanmũban, made up of ti-seuan-mũ-ban [I.him-man-see-past.tense] ‘I saw a man.’
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Celtic languages
Irish
…and are used in forming compound verbs. For example, the Latin word suffio “I fumigate” is translated as fo-timmdiriut, composed of fo “under,” to “to,” imb- “around,” di “from,” and the stem reth- “run,” with vowel and consonant changes appropriate to the 1st person singular present tense. Such forms, combined…
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…and are used in forming compound verbs. For example, the Latin word suffio “I fumigate” is translated as fo-timmdiriut, composed of fo “under,” to “to,” imb- “around,” di “from,” and the stem reth- “run,” with vowel and consonant changes appropriate to the 1st person singular present tense. Such forms, combined…
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