Blended Words: Shortcuts That Shape Our Language

English is efficient and practical, just like the Anglo-centric international culture it belongs to. Contemporary English reflects the widespread lack of time and the need to go straight to the point. Blended words are a great example of this. These words, formed by merging parts of two words, help express ideas more efficiently. For learners, understanding and using these terms can make conversations smoother and more natural. So, let’s explore what blended words are, share a variety of examples, and give practical tips to incorporate them into your English vocabulary.

What are blended words?

They’re not random; each blended word conveys the essence of the words it’s derived from.

For example:

• Staycation (from stay + vacation): A vacation spent at home or exploring local spots instead of traveling far away.
• Brunch (breakfast + lunch): A late morning meal combining elements of both.

Blended words are not a recent trend. Over time, people have naturally shortened expressions or created new words to save time or add creativity. They’re concise, practical, and widely understood, which is why they’ve become so common in English.

Blended words list and examples

Blended words are used across various contexts, from everyday life to technology and entertainment. Below are some examples to illustrate their diversity:

Brunch

Brunch (Breakfast + Lunch). It means a late morning meal.

We had pancakes and eggs for brunch on Sunday.

Smog

Smog (Smoke + Fog). It is air pollution in urban areas.

The smog in the city was thick and hard to breathe.

Spork

Spork (Spoon + Fork)—a hybrid eating utensil.

The picnic set included a spork for convenience.

Infomercial

Infomercial (Information + Commercial). It is a commercial providing detailed information.

She bought the gadget after watching an infomercial.

Motel

Motel (Motor + Hotel). It is a roadside hotel for motorists.

We stayed at a small motel during our road trip.

Chillax

Chillax (Chill + Relax). It means to calm down or unwind.

After a long day, I just want to chillax at home.

Breathalyzer

Breathalyzer (Breath + Analyzer). It is a device for measuring blood alcohol content.

The officer used a breathalyzer during the traffic stop.

Sitcom

Sitcom (Situation + Comedy). It is a humorous TV show with recurring characters.

Friends is my favorite sitcom.

Edutainment

Edutainment (Education + Entertainment). It means content designed to educate and entertain.

The app offers edutainment for kids through games.

Blog

Blog (Web + Log). It is an online journal.

She writes a travel blog about her adventures.

Vlog

Vlog (Video + Blog). It is a blog in video format.

He shared his daily routine in his vlog.

Podcast

Podcast (iPod + Broadcast). It is a digital audio program.

I listen to a podcast while jogging.

Webinar

Webinar (Web + Seminar). It is an online seminar.

The webinar on marketing strategies was insightful.

E-mail

E-mail (Electronic + Mail). It is digital correspondence.

I’ll send you an email with the meeting details.

Spam

Spam (Spiced + Ham). It means unwanted emails or meat products. (If you’re wondering what processed meat has to do with email messages and how it is connected to Monty Python’s Flying Circus, here’s the explanation: What is spam?)

My inbox is full of spam messages.

Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing (Crowd + Outsourcing). It means obtaining input from a large group.

They used crowdsourcing to fund their new project.

Cyberspace

Cyberspace (Cybernetics + Space). It is the virtual online world.

Many businesses operate in cyberspace.

Netiquette

Netiquette (Internet + Etiquette). It means online manners.

Good netiquette includes avoiding all-caps typing.

E-book

E-book (Electronic + Book). It is a digital version of a book.

I downloaded an e-book to read on my flight.

Glamping

Glamping (Glamorous + Camping). It means luxurious camping.

We went glamping in a fancy tent by the lake.

Shopaholic

Shopaholic (Shop + Alcoholic). It describes a person addicted to shopping.

She’s a shopaholic who buys something every day.

Chocoholic

Chocoholic (Chocolate + Alcoholic). It describes a person addicted to chocolate.

I admit, I’m a chocoholic.

Rom-com

Rom-com (Romantic + Comedy). It is a humorous romantic movie.

We watched a classic rom-com last night.

Mockumentary

Mockumentary (Mock + Documentary). It is a parody styled as a documentary.

The mockumentary about vampires was hilarious.

Cosplay

Cosplay (Costume + Play). It means dressing up as fictional characters.

She wore a detailed costume for her cosplay event.

Frenemy

Frenemy (Friend + Enemy). It is a rival disguised as a friend.

I don’t trust her—she’s more of a frenemy.

Liger

Liger (Lion + Tiger). It is a hybrid animal.

The liger was the main attraction at the zoo.

Hangry

Hangry (Hungry + Angry). It means irritability due to hunger.

I get hangry if I skip lunch.

Bit

Bit (Binary + Digit). It is the smallest unit of data in computing.

The file size is measured in bits and bytes.

Pixel

Pixel (Picture + Element). It is the smallest unit of a digital image.

The image became blurry when I zoomed in on the pixels.

Docudrama

Docudrama (Documentary + Drama). It means a dramatized documentary.

The docudrama covered real-life political events.

Fanzine

Fanzine (Fan + Magazine). It is a magazine created by fans for fans.

The fanzine featured exclusive artwork and interviews.

Helipad

Helipad (Helicopter + Pad). It is a landing area for helicopters.

The hospital has a helipad for emergencies.

Telegenic

Telegenic (Television + Photogenic). It describes someone who looks good on TV.

The host was chosen for being telegenic.

Turducken

Turducken (Turkey + Duck + Chicken). It is a dish with a chicken stuffed in a duck inside a turkey.

We had turducken for Thanksgiving dinner.

Frappuccino

Frappuccino (Frappe + Cappuccino). It is a blended coffee drink.

She ordered a caramel Frappuccino from the café.

Cheeseburger

Cheeseburger (Cheese + Hamburger). It is a hamburger topped with cheese.

I’d like a double cheeseburger with fries.

Cronut

Cronut (Croissant + Donut). It means a hybrid pastry.

The bakery’s cronut was a hit.

Mocktail

Mocktail (Mock + Cocktail). It is a non-alcoholic cocktail.

I ordered a refreshing mocktail at the party.

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Banoffee

Banoffee (Banana + Toffee). It is a dessert made with bananas and toffee.

The banoffee pie was delicious.

Grolar

Grolar (Grizzly + Polar). It is a hybrid bear species.

The grolar bear was an unusual sight.

Chorkie

Chorkie (Chihuahua + Yorkie). It is a hybrid dog breed.

Their Chorkie is small but full of energy.

Labsky

Labsky (Labrador + Husky). It is a mix between a Labrador and a Husky.

The Labsky is known for being playful and friendly.

Zorse

Zorse (Zebra + Horse). It is a zebra-horse hybrid.

The zorse is often bred for unique research purposes.

Labradoodle

Labradoodle (Labrador + Poodle). It is a hybrid dog breed.

Labradoodles are known for being hypoallergenic.

Snowmageddon

Snowmageddon (Snow + Armageddon). It means a severe snowstorm.

Last year’s snowmageddon caused major disruptions.

Fanfic

Fanfic (Fan + Fiction). It means a fiction written by fans about popular characters.

She writes fanfic about her favorite show.

Workcation

Workcation (Work + Vacation). It is a trip mixing work and leisure.

I took a workcation to finish my project by the beach.

Bollywood

Bollywood (Bombay + Hollywood). It is the Indian film industry based in Mumbai.

Bollywood movies are famous for their music and dance.

Movember

Movember (Mustache + November). It means a campaign to raise awareness for men’s health.

He grew a mustache for Movember.

Medigap

Medigap (Medicare + Gap). It means a supplemental health insurance policy.

Her Medigap plan covered the extra medical expenses.

Docuseries

Docuseries (Documentary + Series). It is a series of documentaries on a related topic.

The true crime docuseries kept me hooked.

Shoppertainment

Shoppertainment (Shopping + Entertainment). It describes a shopping experience combined with entertainment.

Live streams have turned online shopping into shoppertainment.

Freemium

Freemium (Free + Premium). It is a pricing model offering basic services for free with paid upgrades.

The app uses a freemium model for its features.

Flexitarian

Flexitarian (Flexible + Vegetarian). It means a mostly vegetarian diet with occasional meat.

I consider myself a flexitarian; I eat meat rarely.

Petfluencer

Petfluencer (Pet + Influencer). It means a social media influencer who is a pet or involves pets.

Her cat became a famous petfluencer on Instagram.

Slanguage

Slanguage (Slang + Language). It means informal or trendy expressions.

Teenagers often have their own slanguage.

Brexit

Brexit (Britain + Exit). It is the UK’s departure from the EU.

Brexit has impacted trade across Europe.

How to memorize and use blended words

Expanding your vocabulary with English blended words can be easy. Here are some ways to practice them.

Break down the words

Understanding the components of a blended word makes it easier to remember. For example:

• Staycation = stay + vacation: A relaxing holiday without travel.
• Edutainment = education + entertainment: Learning through engaging activities.

Knowing the origins helps you link the word to its meaning and use it appropriately.

Practice in context

Instead of just memorizing a list, try using the words in sentences:

We chose a staycation this year and explored nearby attractions.

The museum’s edutainment programs are great for kids and adults alike.

This reinforces how the words fit into real conversations.

Use LiveXP’s Word Trainer

The Word Trainer feature on LiveXP is a powerful tool for learning vocabulary, including blending words in English.

• Spaced repetition: Ensures long-term retention by revisiting words at intervals.
• Interactive learning: Teaches pronunciation, spelling, and contextual use.
• Custom word lists: You can focus on a specific blended word list, like those used in daily life or work.
• Convenience: Practice anytime using the mobile app, making learning flexible and accessible.

Engage with media

Blended words often appear in TV shows, movies, and online articles. Paying attention to their usage and repeating them in your speech can help you internalize them.

How to use blended words correctly

Blended words are simple but can feel awkward if used incorrectly. Here are a few tips to use them confidently:

Learn their context

Each word has a specific context where it fits best. For example:

• Use glamping to describe upscale camping, not traditional outdoor trips.
• Infotainment is common in media content but might feel out of place in casual talk.

Understanding where and how to use these words ensures they enhance your communication instead of confusing others.

Practice with an English tutor

Private lessons with an English tutor on LiveXP can help you refine your use of blended words, such as those in the examples above. Tutors provide:

• Immediate feedback on pronunciation and usage.
• Practical exercises to incorporate new vocabulary naturally.
• Real-world scenarios for practicing conversational English.

Combining tutoring with tools like the Word Trainer creates a well-rounded learning experience.

Conclusion

Blended words are a testament to the adaptability of the English language. They simplify communication while adding creativity. Overall, mastering these terms can elevate your fluency and confidence.

To learn and use English blended words effectively, try LiveXP’s Word Trainer for memorization and practice. Pair this with tutoring sessions to perfect your skills and expand your vocabulary. Do this frequently, and in no time, you’ll start sounding more like a native.English

Valentina Dordevic

Hello! My name is Valentina. Book digesting is my specialty. I transform book ideas into easy-to-follow summaries, articles, study guides, reviews, essays, analyses, slides, or e-books.