Portmanteau (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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noun, plural port·man·teaus, port·man·teaux [pawrt-man-tohz, -toh; pawrt-man-tohz, -toh,]. /pɔrtˈmæn toʊz, -toʊ; ˌpɔrt mænˈtoʊz, -ˈtoʊ,/.
  1. a case or bag to carry clothing in while traveling, especially a leather trunk or suitcase that opens into two halves.
  2. Linguistics.
    • a word that combines the form and meaning of two or more other words; a blend.
    • a phonological unit of more than one morpheme, as French au (to the) from à to + le masculine article, which realizes a preposition and the definite article; a single morph that is analyzed as representing two underlying morphemes.
  3. something that combines or blends several items, features, or qualities: I've gathered a portmanteau of ideas from my colleagues.
adjective
  1. combining or blending several items, features, or qualities: a portmanteau film with two good stories.
noun plural -teaus or -teaux (-təʊz)
  1. (formerly) a large travelling case made of stiff leather, esp one hinged at the back so as to open out into two compartments
  2. embodying several uses or qualities
Portmanteau (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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