Portmanteau

Portmanteau

A portmanteau is a linguistic term that refers to a word that is formed by combining two or more words, where parts of each word are blended together to create a new word. This process is often used to create new words that describe a concept or object that did not previously have a name. The word portmanteau itself is a portmanteau, as it is derived from the French words porter (to carry) and manteau (coat), and refers to a type of suitcase that opens into two compartments. Portmanteaus are commonly used in everyday language, and many have become widely recognized and accepted. For example, the word brunch is a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch, while smog is a combination of smoke and fog. Other examples include spork (a combination of spoon and fork), chillax (a combination of chill and relax), and infomercial (a combination of information and commercial). Portmanteaus are often used in literature, particularly in works of science fiction and fantasy, to create new words that describe fictional concepts or objects. They are also commonly used in marketing and advertising, as they can be catchy and memorable.

Linguistics, Blending, Language, Neologism, Vocabulary

— Kevin Anderson

CITATION : "Kevin Anderson. 'Portmanteau.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/portmanteau?E=410108 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"