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