Vocabulary and Synonyms

We often see better with hindsight, i.e. when we look back at our past mistakes or triumphs.

A milkman is a person who delivers milk to people's houses. This compound combines 'milk' (the dairy product) with 'man' (person), historically referring to a profession where individuals would deliver fresh milk daily to households before refrigeration became common.

Eavesdrop means to secretly listen to a private conversation. The compound word comes from 'eaves' (the part of a roof that overhangs the walls) and 'drop' (water falling), originally referring to standing under the eaves to hear conversations inside while rain dripped around you.

Awestruck means filled with awe or overwhelmed by wonder. This compound word combines 'awe' (a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder) with 'struck' (affected forcefully), creating an adjective for someone completely amazed or overwhelmed by something magnificent.

A keyhole is the hole in a lock where a key is inserted. This compound word combines 'key' (the instrument used to operate a lock) with 'hole' (an opening), creating the specific term for the opening in doors or locks that accepts a key to secure or unsecure them.

To pigeonhole means to categorize someone or something in a restrictive or dismissive way. The compound combines 'pigeon' with 'hole' (from the compartments in pigeon lofts where birds nest), metaphorically describing the act of filing people or ideas into narrow, predetermined categories.

Shipwreck refers to the destruction of a ship at sea or the remains of such a ship. This compound word combines 'ship' (a large boat for transporting people or goods) with 'wreck' (something destroyed), describing both the event of a ship being destroyed and the physical remains found underwater or on shore.

A barcode is a machine-readable code consisting of parallel lines of varying widths. This compound word combines 'bar' (the parallel lines) with 'code' (a system of symbols for identification), creating the term for the optical labels used on products for pricing, inventory, and tracking in retail.

A playmate is a companion for playing games, especially a child. This compound word combines 'play' (engaging in enjoyable activities for recreation) with 'mate' (friend or companion), creating a warm term for friends who spend time together in playful activities, commonly used in childhood contexts.

A dustbin is a container used for collecting waste, especially household waste. The word 'dustbin' is formed by combining 'dust' and 'bin', making it a compound word. While 'dust storm' is also a compound word, the option given is simply 'storm', not the full compound.

A bellboy is a hotel employee who helps guests with luggage, runs errands, and provides various services. The word 'bellboy' is formed by combining 'bell' and 'boy', making it a compound word. The other options (door, salt, fight) do not form common compound words with 'bell'.

Guideline is a valid compound word (guide + line = instructional direction).

Elsewhere is a valid compound word (else + where = in another place).

Weatherproof is a valid compound word (weather + proof = protected against weather).

Silverware is the correct compound word, referring to articles of silver or silver-plated utensils and dishes. The other options do not form valid compound words with 'silver' - silverornaments, silverlight, and silverbrass are not standard English compound words.