A method and device for generating meaningful compound words is provided. A user interface (120, 212) is configured to receive data input corresponding to one or more compound words. A processor (206) is configured to identify word combinations of shorter words that may be combined to form a portion or all of the one or more compound words. A display (118, 208) is configured to show the word combinations in a priority based on one or more criteria, such as distinguishing word combinations having different quantities of shorter words.