Portmanteau words and what they're made of

A portmanteau (or blend word) squeezes two words into one, keeping part of each. Smog is smoke + fog. Brunch is breakfast + lunch. Below are all 241 blends from the smush game, grouped by topic.

Want to test yourself first? Play smush: you see the blend and a clue, and you guess the two words inside.

Tech (40)

• adware=ad + softwarePrograms riddled with pop-up ads
• bit=binary + digitThe smallest unit of data
• bloatware=bloat + softwareUseless preinstalled apps
• blog=web + logAn online journal
• botnet=robot + networkAn army of hijacked computers
• camcorder=camera + recorderHandheld home-video device
• chatbot=chat + robotSoftware that talks back
• codec=coder + decoderIt compresses and plays media
• cyberslacking=cyber + slackingGoofing online instead of working
• digerati=digital + literatiThe tech world's in-crowd
• emoticon=emotion + iconA smiley made from punctuation
• fembot=female + robotA mechanical woman in sci-fi
• finsta=fake + instagramA secret second photo account
• freemium=free + premiumA no-cost app with paid extras
• freeware=free + softwarePrograms you can use at no charge
• groupon=group + couponBulk-discount deals site
• infobesity=info + obesityDrowning in too much data
• instagram=instant + telegramSquare-photo sharing app
• intranet=intra + networkA company's private in-house web
• lidar=light + radarLaser-based distance sensing
• netizen=internet + citizenAn engaged member of the online world
• permalink=permanent + linkA web address that never changes
• phablet=phone + tabletAn oversized handheld, nearly a slate
• photobomb=photo + bombSneaking into someone's snapshot
• pinterest=pin + interestA site for collecting visual inspiration
• pixel=picture + elementTiny dot on a screen
• podcast=pod + broadcastOn-demand audio show
• prosumer=pro + consumerA serious high-end hobbyist buyer
• ransomware=ransom + softwareCode that locks files until you pay
• robocall=robot + callAn automated phone nuisance
• scareware=scare + softwareFake alerts that pressure you to pay
• shareware=share + softwareTry-before-you-buy programs
• smishing=sms + phishingScams delivered by text
• spyware=spy + softwareCode that secretly watches you
• transistor=transfer + resistorTiny switch in every chip
• vaporware=vapor + softwareHyped tech that never ships
• vishing=voice + phishingScamming victims over the phone
• vlog=video + blogA diary you film instead of write
• vodcast=video + podcastA downloadable show you watch, not just hear
• voxel=volume + pixelA 3D dot in a cube grid

Slang (36)

• brainiac=brain + maniacA super-smart person
• bridezilla=bride + godzillaA monstrously demanding wife-to-be
• bromance=bro + romanceTwo dudes, deeply platonic
• brony=bro + ponyAn adult guy devoted to a kids' cartoon
• cankle=calf + ankleWhere the lower leg blurs into the foot
• carcolepsy=car + narcolepsyDozing off the moment a journey starts
• cellfish=cell + selfishRudely glued to your handset
• chairdrobe=chair + wardrobeThe clothes piled on a seat
• chillax=chill + relaxTake it easy, dude
• crunk=crazy + drunkWildly out of control
• floordrobe=floor + wardrobeGarments heaped on the bedroom rug
• funemployment=fun + employmentHappily enjoying time between jobs
• gaydar=gay + radarAn instinct for spotting who's queer
• ginormous=giant + enormousAbsolutely massive
• groomzilla=groom + godzillaAn impossibly demanding husband-to-be
• guesstimate=guess + estimateA rough ballpark figure
• hangxiety=hangover + anxietyDread the morning after drinking
• himbo=him + bimboA handsome but dim-witted guy
• humblebrag=humble + bragA boast disguised as a complaint
• internest=internet + nestA cosy nook for endless scrolling
• kidult=kid + adultA grown-up with youthful tastes
• manscaping=man + landscapingA guy's body-grooming routine
• mansplain=man + explainCondescendingly lecture someone who already knows
• manspreading=man + spreadingSitting knees-wide on a train
• phubbing=phone + snubbingIgnoring people for your screen
• screenager=screen + teenagerA youth glued to devices
• sheeple=sheep + peopleFolks who just follow the crowd
• shopaholic=shop + alcoholicCan't stop buying things
• sitrep=situation + reportA quick status update
• smize=smile + eyesExpressing warmth with your gaze alone
• snaccident=snack + accidentEating the whole bag by mistake
• textpectation=text + expectationAnxiously awaiting a reply
• throuple=three + coupleA romance shared between a trio
• vidiot=video + idiotSomeone dulled by too much screen time
• wedmin=wedding + adminThe paperwork of planning a marriage
• workaholic=work + alcoholicSomeone addicted to their job

Animals (27)

• beefalo=beef + buffaloCattle-bison crossbreed
• boxador=boxer + labradorAn energetic large-dog crossbreed
• cama=camel + llamaA gentle pack-animal crossbreed
• cavoodle=cavalier + poodleA toy spaniel crossbreed
• chug=chihuahua + pugA pint-sized wrinkly lapdog
• cockapoo=cocker + poodleA popular curly-coated spaniel mix
• coydog=coyote + dogA cross of wild and tame canines
• coywolf=coyote + wolfA wild canine hybrid of the Americas
• dorgi=dachshund + corgiA royal short-legged crossbreed
• geep=goat + sheepA barnyard cross of two grazers
• goldador=golden + labradorA friendly retriever crossbreed
• grolar=grizzly + polarA bear-on-bear hybrid
• huskita=husky + akitaA fluffy northern sled-dog mix
• jaglion=jaguar + lionA rare spotted big-cat cross
• labradoodle=labrador + poodleCurly-haired designer dog
• leopon=leopard + lionA spotted big-cat cross
• liger=lion + tigerThe largest of the big-cat hybrids
• maltipoo=maltese + poodleA small white fluffy lapdog mix
• morkie=maltese + yorkieA tiny silky toy-dog mix
• narluga=narwhal + belugaA rare Arctic whale hybrid
• pomsky=pomeranian + huskyA pint-sized sled-dog lookalike
• puggle=pug + beagleA wrinkly small hound mix
• schnoodle=schnauzer + poodleA curly bearded designer dog
• tigon=tiger + lionA rarer big-cat hybrid
• wholphin=whale + dolphinA rare cetacean hybrid
• zonkey=zebra + donkeyStriped legs, long ears
• zorse=zebra + horseA striped equine hybrid

Food (21)

• banoffee=banana + toffeeA creamy English pie flavour
• brinner=breakfast + dinnerPancakes served at 7pm
• brookie=brownie + cookieHalf fudgy bar, half chewy bite
• brunch=breakfast + lunchLazy weekend late-morning meal
• cragel=croissant + bagelA flaky laminated breakfast-roll hybrid
• craisin=cranberry + raisinA sweetened dried tart berry
• cronut=croissant + donutFlaky fried pastry craze
• crookie=croissant + cookieA buttery pastry with a chewy centre
• duffin=donut + muffinA sugary cross of two breakfast bakes
• freakshake=freak + milkshakeA wildly over-loaded dessert drink
• freegan=free + veganA scavenger who eats discarded food
• froyo=frozen + yogurtTangy soft-serve dessert
• gastropub=gastronomy + pubA bar with serious food
• grapple=grape + appleA novelty fruit hybrid sold as a snack
• limequat=lime + kumquatA small sour citrus hybrid
• linner=lunch + dinnerA meal eaten between midday and evening
• plumcot=plum + apricotA stone-fruit cross
• soyrizo=soy + chorizoA meatless spiced sausage
• spam=spiced + hamTinned mystery meat
• tangelo=tangerine + pomeloA knobbly citrus hybrid
• tofurkey=tofu + turkeyA vegetarian holiday roast

Travel (12)

• babymoon=baby + honeymoonA getaway before parenthood begins
• boatel=boat + hotelFloating lodging at a marina
• chunnel=channel + tunnelThe rail link under the sea
• daycation=day + vacationA single-day getaway
• flotel=floating + hotelOffshore digs for rig workers
• glamping=glamorous + campingRoughing it, but with a real bed
• mancation=man + vacationA guys-only trip away
• moped=motor + pedalSmall low-power two-wheeler
• motel=motor + hotelRoadside place to crash for the night
• motorcade=motor + cavalcadeA procession of official cars
• staycation=stay + vacationA holiday spent at home
• workation=work + vacationDoing your job from a holiday spot

Fashion (11)

• athleisure=athletic + leisureGym wear worn everywhere
• burkini=burka + bikiniA full-cover swimsuit
• guyliner=guy + eyelinerDark lash makeup aimed at men
• jeggings=jeans + leggingsDenim-look stretchy pants
• jorts=jean + shortsDenim cut-offs
• mankini=man + bikiniA scandalous men's swimsuit
• monokini=mono + bikiniA daring one-piece swimsuit
• murse=male + purseA man's handbag
• shacket=shirt + jacketHalf top, half coat outerwear
• skort=skirt + shortsAthletic bottoms that mimic a dress
• tankini=tank + bikiniA modest two-piece swimsuit

Film (11)

• biopic=biography + pictureA film about a real person's life
• bollywood=bombay + hollywoodIndia's huge film industry
• claymation=clay + animationStop-motion with squishable figures
• docudrama=documentary + dramaReal events restaged for TV
• mockbuster=mock + blockbusterA cheap knock-off of a hit film
• mockumentary=mock + documentaryA fake doc, played for laughs
• prequel=pre + sequelA movie set before the original
• rockumentary=rock + documentaryA film chronicling a band
• romcom=romance + comedyA love-and-laughs movie
• sharknado=shark + tornadoA B-movie storm of flying predators
• threequel=three + sequelThe third film in a series

Fitness (7)

• aquacise=aqua + exerciseA workout done in the pool
• boxercise=boxing + exerciseA punch-throwing fitness class
• broga=bro + yogaA bendy workout aimed at blokes
• dancercise=dance + exerciseA workout set to choreography
• jazzercise=jazz + exerciseDance-based '80s workout
• snowga=snow + yogaStretching poses out in the cold
• yogalates=yoga + pilatesStretching fused with core work

Language (7)

• chinglish=chinese + englishA mash-up of two languages
• franglais=french + anglaisA Gallic blend of two tongues
• hinglish=hindi + englishA common South Asian code-switch
• mockney=mock + cockneyA faked London accent
• singlish=singapore + englishA city-state's casual creole
• spanglish=spanish + englishMixing two tongues in one sentence
• yinglish=yiddish + englishA code-switch full of shtetl slang

People (7)

• frenemy=friend + enemyA pal you also can't quite stand
• manny=male + nannyA guy hired to mind the kids
• manther=man + pantherAn older fellow chasing youth
• momager=mom + managerA parent who runs your career
• mompreneur=mom + entrepreneurA parent running a business
• solopreneur=solo + entrepreneurA one-person business owner
• wantrepreneur=want + entrepreneurA wannabe business founder

Science (7)

• blazar=blazing + quasarA galaxy core beaming right at us
• genome=gene + chromosomeAn organism's full DNA set
• magnetar=magnetic + starA neutron remnant with a ferocious pull
• proteome=protein + genomeA cell's complete set of building-block molecules
• pulsar=pulsating + starA spinning neutron beacon in space
• quasar=quasi + stellarA blazing distant galaxy core
• twindemic=twin + epidemicTwo outbreaks striking at once

Words (7)

• alphabet=alpha + betaThe letter set named for its first two
• backronym=back + acronymInitials reverse-engineered to spell a word
• chortle=chuckle + snortA gleeful, breathy laugh
• cremains=cremated + remainsAshes returned after a funeral
• dumbfound=dumb + confoundLeave someone utterly stunned
• fortnight=fourteen + nightA two-week span
• galumph=gallop + triumphTo move with clumsy joy

Objects (6)

• breathalyzer=breath + analyzerRoadside sobriety tester
• knork=knife + forkCutlery that both cuts and spears
• spife=spoon + knifeA scoop with a cutting edge
• spork=spoon + forkCamping cutlery hybrid
• tarmac=tar + macadamThe paved surface of a runway
• velcro=velvet + crochetHook-and-loop fastener

Weather (6)

• firenado=fire + tornadoA spinning column of flame
• moonbow=moon + rainbowA colour arc lit after dark
• smaze=smoke + hazeMurky air, part pollution part mist
• smog=smoke + fogHazy city air pollution
• snowmageddon=snow + armageddonA catastrophic blizzard
• snowpocalypse=snow + apocalypseA catastrophic, city-stopping whiteout

Drinks (4)

• alcopop=alcohol + popA sweet fizzy boozy drink
• brewpub=brew + pubA bar that makes its own beer
• frose=frozen + roseA slushie made from blush wine
• mocktail=mock + cocktailA drink with zero alcohol

Media (4)

• fandom=fan + kingdomA passionate follower community
• fanfic=fan + fictionAmateur tales of existing characters
• fanzine=fan + magazineA scrappy self-published superfan booklet
• listicle=list + articleA web piece that's a numbered rundown

News (4)

• brexit=britain + exitThe UK leaving the EU
• calexit=california + exitA push for the Golden State to secede
• carmageddon=car + armageddonTraffic chaos of biblical scale
• grexit=greece + exitA Greek threat to leave the euro

Sport (4)

• footgolf=foot + golfKicking a ball into oversized holes
• frolf=frisbee + golfTossing a disc into chain baskets
• heliski=helicopter + skiAn airlifted descent down wild slopes
• threepeat=three + repeatWinning a title thrice running

TV (4)

• docusoap=documentary + soapReality show following real lives
• dramedy=drama + comedyFunny but also a little sad
• muppet=marionette + puppetA felt TV character with a flapping mouth
• sitcom=situation + comedyHalf-hour laugh-track show

Geography (3)

• chindia=china + indiaAsia's two giant economies
• eurasia=europe + asiaThe combined landmass
• eurozone=europe + zoneCountries sharing one currency

Money (3)

• bankster=banker + gangsterA crooked finance executive
• greedflation=greed + inflationPrice hikes pinned on profit-seeking
• shrinkflation=shrink + inflationSmaller portions, same price

Music (3)

• keytar=keyboard + guitarA strap-on synth played like a six-string
• popera=pop + operaCrossover of chart hits and arias
• rockabilly=rock + hillbillyTwangy 1950s guitar-driven music

Politics (3)

• eurocrat=europe + bureaucratA Brussels official
• gerrymander=gerry + salamanderRig voting district lines
• reaganomics=reagan + economics1980s US trickle-down policy

Crime (1)

• carjack=car + hijackSteal a vehicle by force

Hobby (1)

• cosplay=costume + playDressing up as a character

Mood (1)

• hangry=hungry + angryIrritable because you skipped lunch

Places (1)

• oxbridge=oxford + cambridgeEngland's two elite universities

Where the word "portmanteau" comes from

A portmanteau was a suitcase that opened into two halves. Lewis Carroll borrowed the word in Through the Looking-Glass (1871) for made-up words like slithy (lithe + slimy): "two meanings packed up into one word".