noun

portmanteau

port-MAN-toh

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Portmanteau (noun) means a word formed by blending the sounds and meanings of two others, such as brunch from breakfast and lunch, or smog from smoke and fog. Example: “Motel" is a portmanteau of motor and hotel.”

noun

A word formed by blending the sounds and meanings of two others, such as brunch from breakfast and lunch, or smog from smoke and fog.

""Motel" is a portmanteau of motor and hotel."

"Tech companies love a portmanteau."

dated A large travelling case that opens into two equal compartments.

"He hauled a battered leather portmanteau onto the train."

adjective

Combining two or more separate things or qualities into one.

"A portmanteau film made up of five short stories by different directors."

"The bill is a portmanteau measure covering everything from housing to transport."

How to use portmanteau

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA word made by squashing two words together, like brunch.

When to use it

Sense 1 dominates modern use. The luggage sense is archaic and now mostly literary.

Memory tip

A compound word keeps both words whole (bookshop); a portmanteau clips them and fuses the pieces (brunch).

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

acronym → compound word contraction →

Common pairings

a portmanteau of portmanteau word portmanteau film

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “portmanteau” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

"Motel" is a _____ of motor and hotel.

Etymology

From French portemanteau, from porter, "to carry", and manteau, "cloak" — originally a case for carrying clothes. Lewis Carroll used the image in Through the Looking-Glass for words that pack two meanings into one.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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blend blend word suitcase travelling case Gladstone

Related words

bag mix combination composition mixture combine hybrid grip

Rhymes for portmanteau

au eau Tau pau Bau lau Mau Hau Yau Kau beau Frau

See all rhymes for portmanteau →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a portmanteau and a compound word?

A compound joins two complete words, like toothbrush or bookshop. A portmanteau chops parts off and fuses what is left, like brunch or spork. If you can still see both words intact, it is a compound.

What is the difference between a portmanteau and an acronym?

An acronym is built from the first letters of a phrase, like NASA or laser. A portmanteau blends chunks of sound from two words, like motel or podcast. Acronyms abbreviate; portmanteaus merge.

What are some examples of portmanteau words?

Brunch (breakfast and lunch), smog (smoke and fog), motel (motor and hotel), spork (spoon and fork), emoticon (emotion and icon) and workaholic (work and alcoholic) are all standard examples.

What is the meaning of portmanteau?

"portmanteau" (noun) means a word formed by blending the sounds and meanings of two others, such as brunch from breakfast and lunch, or smog from smoke and fog.

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