Open compound words

An open compound word refers to cases when the modifying adjective is generally used with its noun to create a new noun. (This isn’t the same as a noun with a modifying adjective.) We just use a space between the adjective and the noun, so sometimes it can be hard to identify; however, if the two words are commonly used together, it’s considered to be a compound word.

Living room

Full moon

Real estate

Dinner table

Coffee mug

Open compound words are the only ones where the second word can be capitalized.

African American

North America