Neural correlates of combinatorial semantic processing of literal and figurative noun noun compound words

► Conventional/novel and literal/metaphorical NNCs presented in an fMRI experiment. ► All categories require different semantic combinations of non-associated constituents. ► Conventional NNCs activated RH areas, reflecting coarse semantic coding. ► Novel items activated the LIFG, as a result of semantic selection and unification. ► Both kinds of metaphorical NNCs evoked LH fine coding to establish meaning.