portmanteau word - a new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings; "`smog' is a blend of `smoke' and `fog'"; "`motel' is a portmanteau word made by combining `motor' and `hotel'"; "`brunch' is a well-known portmanteau"brunch - combination breakfast and lunch; usually served in late morning shopaholic - a compulsive shopper; "shopaholics can never resist a bargain" workaholic - person with a compulsive need to work dandle - move (a baby) up and down in one's arms or on one's knees |