is smallest segment that can stand by itself

WORD

Types of words(Based on how they are formed from their constituent morpheme)

Simple wordComplex wordCompound wordCompound-complex word

Simple Word

consists of a single word (a free morpheme)e.g. cat, home, elephant

can consist of a base only or a base + inflectional suffix.e.g. cats, homes

Complex Word

made up of free morpheme and a bound morpheme, either

Bound stem/base + Derivational Suffixe.g. placate, rupture, legible

Prefix + Bound stem/basee.g. circumvent, corrupt, uncouth

Free stem/morpheme + Derivational Suffixe.g. singer, manly, easy, conductor, manliness

Prefix + free steme.g. untie, uneasy, subatomic

Compound Word

made up of two free morphemes used together to form single lexical unit, either

Two simple words (FM+FM)e.g. blackboard, hot house, drug store

Three simple words (FM+FM+FM)e.g. son-in-law, in spite of

Complex word +FM or FM +Complex Worde.g. postage-stamp, tax-collector

Compound +Complex word e.g. lookout tower, football player

Compound-Complex Word

Compound word + Derivational Suffix e.g. dry-cleaner, moon shiner

Prefix + Compound Worde.g. ex-housewife, super salesman