noun
compound
kom-POWND
noun
1
A fenced or walled area containing a group of buildings, often used for security or living quarters.
"The embassy compound was heavily guarded."
adjective
1
Made up of two or more parts or elements combined.
""Toothbrush" is a compound word."
verb
1
To combine different elements or ingredients into one substance.
"The pharmacist compounded the medication to the doctor's specifications."
2
To make a problem worse by adding to it.
"Missing the deadline only compounded her stress."
3
(finance) To calculate interest on both the original amount and the interest already earned.
"The savings account compounds interest monthly."
How to Use Compound
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething made of combined parts, an enclosed group of buildings, or to make something worse or grow through combined effects.
Common mistake
In finance, "compound interest" means interest earned on interest — different from simple interest, which is calculated only on the original amount.
Common pairings
compound interest
compound word
compound the problem
Word Forms
compounded past tense, compounds plural, compounds singular
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The embassy _____ was heavily guarded.
Etymology
Possibly from Malay kampung, "a group of buildings or village," reshaped over time under the influence of the unrelated English word meaning "to combine," from Latin componere.