word
portmanteau
port-MAN-toh
pɔːrtˈmæntoʊListen
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Syllable breakdown
portmanteau
Sounds like
Say 'port-MAN-toh'.
Dictionary meaning
A word blending the sounds and meanings of two other words (e.g. 'brunch' from 'breakfast' + 'lunch'); also a large travelling case.
History and origin
French — 'porter' (to carry) + 'manteau' (cloak).
Examples
- Lewis Carroll coined many portmanteaux in Jabberwocky — 'slithy' from 'lithe' and 'slimy'.
Common mispronunciations
PORT-man-tohport-man-TOH
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