* Compound word: This is the most common and general term. It describes two or more words combined to create a single new word with a different meaning, often joined by a hyphen or space. Examples: "sunrise", "high school", "blackboard".
* Portmanteau: This term is specifically used for words created by blending parts of two or more words. Examples: "smog" (smoke + fog), "brunch" (breakfast + lunch), "Spanglish" (Spanish + English).
* Blending: This is another term used for creating new words by combining parts of existing words. It's often used in the context of language evolution.
It's important to note that:
* Not all combinations of words are considered "words" in the strict sense.
* The way words are combined can vary. Some are written as one word, some with a hyphen, and some remain separate.
Ultimately, the most accurate term depends on the specific words being combined and how they are used.