word formation processes

Word formation processes are the ways new words are created in a language. They include methods such as adding prefixes or suffixes (affixation), combining parts of words (compounding), shortening words (abbreviation), or creating entirely new words (neologisms). These processes help expand vocabulary and adapt to new concepts. For example, adding "un-" to "happy" forms "unhappy," or combining "black" and "board" to make "blackboard." Understanding these processes reveals how languages grow and change over time to meet the communication needs of their speakers.