compound
gb/kˈɑmpaʊnd/ us/kˈɑmpaʊnd/
B2
English
~ 6500
súlyosbít, tovább ront, zárt terület, komplexum, telep, vegyület, összetett, összetett szó, kikever, összeállít, tőkésít, tőkésedik, egyezséggel rendez, pénzzel megvált
VERB
B2
1
súlyosbít
B2
tovább ront
B1
Usage pattern:
to compound [a problem / difficulty / situation]
The new tax will only compound the financial pressure on low-income families.
Az új adó csak tovább fokozza az alacsony jövedelmű családokra nehezedő pénzügyi nyomást.
Her refusal to apologize compounded the tension between the two teams.
Az, hogy nem volt hajlandó bocsánatot kérni, tovább súlyosbította a két csapat közötti feszültséget.
The delay was compounded by a sudden technical failure at the airport.
Poor communication compounded an already confused situation.
The shortage of nurses is compounded by high rates of burnout.
Learner examples
The heavy rain compounded the traffic problem.
A heves eső tovább súlyosbította a közlekedési problémát.
His stress was compounded by long working hours.
A stresszét csak tovább fokozta a hosszú munkaidő.
Losing his job compounded his money troubles.
The noise from the street compounded my headache.
Her lateness compounded our difficulties.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'compound' to mean simply 'continue' or 'increase' without the idea of something already being bad. 'Compound' is normally used when the situation is negative and becomes even worse.
Meaning
make a bad situation worse
Collocations
compound the problem
|compound the situation
|compound the crisis
|compound the risk
|be compounded by
Synonyms
worsen (More general and common; does not always suggest adding something new, just becoming worse.)
|
exacerbate (More formal and slightly stronger; often used in written or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
alleviate (Means to make a problem less serious, the opposite of making it worse.)
Themes
problems
|business
|news
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make a bad situation even worse by adding more problems to it.
To make a difficult, bad, or serious situation worse by adding to the existing problems.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a [type] compound
Protesters gathered outside the embassy compound.
A tüntetők a nagykövetség zárt területe előtt gyűltek össze.
The soldiers were ordered to stay inside the military compound overnight.
A katonáknak megparancsolták, hogy éjszakára maradjanak a katonai komplexum területén.
The journalists were not allowed beyond the gates of the guarded compound.
Her extended family all live together in a large rural compound.
The suspects were hiding in a remote compound in the mountains.
Learner examples
The workers sleep inside the company compound.
A munkások a vállalati telepen alszanak.
Guards stand at the gate of the prison compound.
Őrök állnak a börtönkomplexum kapujánál.
Reporters waited outside the embassy compound.
Many relatives live in the same family compound.
The police surrounded the criminal’s compound.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'compound' with 'company' when talking about a place. 'Company' is the business itself; 'compound' is the physical area and buildings.
Meaning
enclosed area with buildings
Collocations
embassy compound
|military compound
|prison compound
|family compound
|guarded compound
Synonyms
complex (Very similar meaning; 'complex' is more general and does not always suggest a wall or fence.)
Antonyms
open area (Describes space without walls or fences, the opposite of a closed compound.)
Themes
places
|security
|news
|housing
Definition
A place with several buildings together, usually inside a wall or fence, used by one group of people.
An area that contains a group of buildings, often surrounded by a wall or fence and used by one organization, family, or group.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
vegyület
B2
Usage pattern:
a [type] compound
Water is a compound made of hydrogen and oxygen.
A víz hidrogénből és oxigénből álló vegyület.
The lab is testing new chemical compounds for use in batteries.
A laboratórium akkumulátorokban való felhasználásra szánt új kémiai vegyületeket tesztel.
This compound is highly reactive when exposed to air.
Scientists discovered a rare organic compound in the sample.
The medicine contains several active compounds that reduce inflammation.
Learner examples
Salt is a compound of sodium and chlorine.
A só nátriumból és klórból álló vegyület.
They studied different compounds in chemistry class.
Különböző vegyületeket tanulmányoztak a kémiaórán.
This compound is safe at low temperatures.
The company makes new chemical compounds for medicine.
Ozone is a compound of three oxygen atoms.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes call a compound an 'element'. Remember: an element has only one kind of atom; a compound has at least two kinds joined together.
Meaning
substance of joined elements
Collocations
chemical compound
|organic compound
|toxic compound
|volatile compound
|synthesize a compound
|break down a compound
Synonyms
substance (More general; not all substances are compounds, but all compounds are substances.)
Antonyms
element (An element has only one type of atom, while a compound has two or more types of atoms joined together.)
Themes
science
|chemistry
Definition
A chemical made when two or more different elements join together in a fixed way.
A chemical substance formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together in fixed proportions.
B2
4
összetett
B1
Usage pattern:
a compound [noun]
In a compound sentence, two independent clauses are joined by a conjunction.
Egy összetett mondatban két önálló tagmondatot kötőszó kapcsol össze.
A compound noun is formed from two or more words, like 'coffee shop'.
Az összetett főnév két vagy több szóból jön létre, mint például a „coffee shop”.
He suffered a compound fracture in the accident.
The hunter used a modern compound bow.
The report describes a compound structure made of steel and glass.
Learner examples
A compound sentence has two main parts.
Az összetett mondatnak két fő része van.
We learned about compound nouns in class.
Az órán összetett főnevekről tanultunk.
She broke her arm and had a compound fracture.
He bought a new compound bow for sport.
This is a compound word made of two smaller words.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'compound' and 'complex' are always interchangeable. In grammar and medicine, 'compound' has specific technical meanings (e.g., 'compound sentence', 'compound fracture') that 'complex' cannot replace.
Meaning
made of several parts
Collocations
compound sentence
|compound noun
|compound word
|compound fracture
|compound bow
Synonyms
complex (Often similar, but 'compound' usually stresses being made from two or more clear parts.)
Antonyms
simple (Describes something made of only one main part or element.)
Themes
language
|medicine
|science
|education
|communication
Definition
Made of two or more parts that work together as one thing.
Consisting of two or more separate parts, elements, or words that function together as a single unit.
NOUN
C1
5
Usage pattern:
a compound like [example word]
Toothbrush is a compound formed from 'tooth' and 'brush'.
A „toothbrush” a „tooth” és a „brush” szavakból létrejött összetett szó.
In English, many new compounds are created every year.
Az angolban minden évben sok új összetett szó jön létre.
She asked the class to give examples of noun-noun compounds.
Compounds like 'babysit' can be written as one word or two.
The language uses many verb-noun compounds for everyday actions.
Learner examples
‘Bedroom’ is a compound of ‘bed’ and ‘room’.
A „bedroom” a „bed” és a „room” szavakból álló összetett szó.
Many English compounds are easy to understand.
Sok angol összetett szót könnyű megérteni.
The teacher wrote five compounds on the board.
We had to make new compounds from two short words.
Compounds like ‘blackboard’ are very common.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'compound' (the word) with 'compound word' (the phrase). In grammar lessons, both are used, but 'compound word' is clearer in everyday teaching.
Meaning
word made from other words
Collocations
a compound like
|noun-noun compound
|adjective-noun compound
|form a compound
Synonyms
compound word (More explicit; very common in teaching materials and grammar books.)
Antonyms
simple word (A word that is not formed by joining other full words.)
Themes
language
|grammar
|education
|communication
Definition
A word that is made from two or more other words together.
A word made by combining two or more existing words, which functions as a single word.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
6
kikever
B2
összeállít
B1
Usage pattern:
to compound [a substance / a medicine] from [ingredients]
The pharmacist compounded the cream from several active ingredients.
A gyógyszerész több hatóanyagból keverte ki a krémet.
This traditional perfume is compounded from natural oils and resins.
Ezt a hagyományos parfümöt természetes olajokból és gyantákból állítják össze.
The ointment is compounded to suit each patient's specific needs.
They compound their own fertilizers using organic materials.
The lab technician compounded the solution according to the written formula.
Learner examples
The pharmacist compounded a special cream for my skin.
A gyógyszerész egy speciális krémet kevert ki a bőrömre.
This oil is compounded from many plant oils.
Ez az olaj sokféle növényi olajból van összeállítva.
The doctor asked the lab to compound the drug.
They compound their own paint in the studio.
The soap is compounded from natural fats and oils.
Common mistake:
Learners often use 'compound' instead of 'mix' in everyday cooking or casual situations. In daily speech, 'mix' or 'stir' is more natural; 'compound' sounds technical or professional.
Meaning
mix parts into one substance
Collocations
compound a medicine
|compounded from
|compounded of
|carefully compounded
|compound ingredients
Synonyms
mix (More common and general; 'compound' sounds more formal or technical.)
|
blend (Similar idea of mixing, often used when the result is smooth or uniform.)
Antonyms
separate (Means to divide things that are together, the opposite of combining.)
Themes
science
|medicine
Definition
To mix different things together to make one new thing.
To mix or combine separate substances or elements in order to form a single substance or mixture.
VERB
B2
TECHNICAL
7
Usage pattern:
to compound [interest] [daily / monthly / annually]
The interest on this savings account compounds monthly.
Ezen a megtakarítási számlán a kamat havonta tőkésedik.
If your debt compounds daily, it will grow very quickly.
Ha az adósságod után naponta tőkésítik a kamatot, az nagyon gyorsan nőni fog.
At eight percent interest compounded annually, your investment will double in about nine years.
They explained how small deposits can grow when interest is allowed to compound.
Her student loan interest compounds even while she is still in school.
Learner examples
The bank compounds interest every month.
A bank minden hónapban tőkésíti a kamatot.
Your money grows faster when interest compounds.
A pénzed gyorsabban nő, amikor a kamat tőkésedik.
This loan has interest that compounds daily.
At this rate, the interest will compound quickly.
We learned how interest can compound over time.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'compound interest' with 'simple interest'. In compound interest, you pay or earn interest on both the original money and the past interest.
Meaning
have interest grow on interest
Collocations
interest compounds
|compounded annually
|compounded monthly
|compounded daily
|compounding period
Synonyms
accumulate (Focuses on the total growing over time, not specifically on the way it is calculated.)
Antonyms
simple interest (A type of interest where no interest is calculated on previous interest, the opposite of compounding.)
Themes
finance
|business
Definition
To add interest to money and then also add interest on that interest, so the money grows faster.
To calculate interest on both the original amount of money and the interest that has already been added, so that the total grows faster over time.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
8
Usage pattern:
to compound [a debt / a claim / a felony]
The company managed to compound its debts with several major creditors.
A vállalatnak sikerült egyezséggel rendeznie az adósságait több nagy hitelezőjével.
Historically, some serious crimes could be compounded for a payment instead of a full trial.
Történelmileg egyes súlyos bűncselekményeket pénzfizetéssel is meg lehetett váltani a teljes bírósági eljárás helyett.
They chose to compound the claim out of court.
The law forbids officials from compounding a felony in exchange for money.
He was accused of attempting to compound the offense rather than report it.
Learner examples
They decided to compound the debt with the bank.
Úgy döntöttek, hogy egyezséggel rendezik az adósságot a bankkal.
Long ago, some crimes were compounded for money.
Régen bizonyos bűncselekményeket pénzzel is meg lehetett váltani.
The two sides compounded the claim without a trial.
The lawyer said it was illegal to compound a felony.
He tried to compound the case instead of going to court.
Common mistake:
This sense is rare and technical. Learners sometimes see 'compound a felony' in older texts and think it means 'commit a felony', but it actually means to settle or hide the felony, usually for a payment.
Meaning
settle debt or offense for less
Collocations
compound a debt
|compound a claim
|compound a felony
|compound with creditors
|compound for damages
Synonyms
settle (More common in modern English; does not always suggest accepting less than the full amount.)
Antonyms
prosecute (To continue with legal action instead of settling or compromising, especially in the phrase 'compound a felony'.)
Themes
law
|business
|finance
Definition
To make an agreement to end a money problem or crime case by taking or paying less than the full amount or punishment.
To agree to pay, accept, or allow less than the full amount or full legal penalty in order to settle a debt, claim, or offense.
Grammar
Dictionary form
compound
IPA
GB/kˈɑmpaʊnd/
US/kˈɑmpaʊnd/
Syllables & stress
com - pound (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: compound
Noun
- Base: compound
- Plural: compounds
Verb
- Base: compound
- 3rd Person Singular: compounds
- Present Participle: compounding
- Past: compounded
Word family
Forms
compounds
noun
compounding
verb
compounded
verb
Expressions
compound interest
1/kˈɑmpaʊnd ˈɪntɚˌɛst/
fixed phrase
technical
interest paid on interest
Interest on money that is calculated not only on the original amount, but also on the interest that has already been added.
Examples
- Thanks to compound interest, her savings grew much faster than she expected.
- The book explains how compound interest can help you build wealth over time.
- With compound interest, even small regular deposits can become a large amount in the future.
compound noun
1/kˈɑmpaʊnd nˈaʊn/
fixed phrase
technical
noun made from other words
A noun that is formed from two or more words used together as one noun, like 'bus stop' or 'football'.
Examples
- Students were asked to underline each compound noun in the paragraph.
- ‘Bus stop’ is an example of a compound noun written as two words.
- In English, compound nouns can be written as one word, two words, or with a hyphen.
compound sentence
1/kˈɑmpaʊnd sˈɛntəns/
fixed phrase
technical
sentence with two main clauses
A sentence with two or more main parts (independent clauses) that are joined with a word like 'and', 'but', or 'or'.
Examples
- ‘I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain’ is a compound sentence.
- The teacher asked students to rewrite simple sentences as a compound sentence.
- In English writing, using a compound sentence can make your ideas flow more smoothly.
compound word
1/kˈɑmpaʊnd wˈɚd/
fixed phrase
word made from other words
A word that is made by putting two or more complete words together, like 'notebook' or 'post office'.
Examples
- In today’s lesson, we will learn how to form a compound word.
- ‘Laptop’ is a compound word made from ‘lap’ and ‘top’.
- Children often enjoy making funny compound words in language games.
embassy compound
1/ˈɛmbəsi kˈɑmpaʊnd/
fixed phrase
enclosed area of an embassy
The area and buildings of an embassy, usually inside a wall or fence.
Examples
- Protesters gathered outside the embassy compound.
- All non-essential staff were ordered to leave the embassy compound.
- Security around the embassy compound was increased after the incident.
family compound
1/fˈæmɪli kˈɑmpaʊnd/
fixed phrase
enclosed area for one family
A group of houses in one closed area where members of the same family live.
Examples
- Three generations share the same family compound in the village.
- He grew up in a large family compound with many cousins.
- Visitors entered the family compound through a single metal gate.
military compound
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi kˈɑmpaʊnd/
fixed phrase
enclosed military area
A group of military buildings and land, usually inside a wall or fence.
Examples
- Reporters were not allowed inside the military compound.
- The soldiers returned to the military compound after the training exercise.
- Supplies were delivered directly to the military compound outside the city.
prison compound
1/pɹˈɪzən kˈɑmpaʊnd/
fixed phrase
enclosed prison area
An area inside a prison with buildings and fences where prisoners and guards are.
Examples
- Inmates are only allowed to move within the main prison compound.
- The escape took place in the outer prison compound.
- Families waited outside the prison compound during the protest.
chemical compound
1/kˈɛmɪkəl kˈɑmpaʊnd/
fixed phrase
technical
Substance of bonded elements
A substance made when two or more elements join together chemically.
Examples
- Water is a chemical compound made of hydrogen and oxygen.
- Water is the most familiar chemical compound on Earth.
- Salt is a common chemical compound found in kitchens.
- The lab discovered a new chemical compound that can store energy efficiently.
- Each chemical compound has its own set of physical and chemical properties.
compound fracture
1/kˈɑmpaʊnd fɹˈækt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
broken bone through the skin
A serious broken bone where the bone comes through the skin.
Examples
- The X-ray showed that he had suffered a compound fracture of the leg.
- The motorcyclist suffered a compound fracture of the lower leg.
- She was rushed to hospital with a compound fracture after the accident.
- Compound fractures usually require urgent surgery.
- Compound fractures require immediate medical treatment to prevent infection.