The suffixes in the following list are extremely common suffixes but some have fairly specialized meanings. The suffixes “-ish,” “-en,” and “-less” derive from Old or Middle English. The rest derive from Latin or Greek.
Additional example words for each suffix in the list below can be found by going to A-Z Word Parts under Search Tools in the Wordsmyth dictionaries, filtering the list there for “Suffixes,” and browsing through the list. One may also use the search box on the A-Z Word Parts page to search the list for a particular suffix. Click here to learn more about how to use our Word Parts database.
| suffix | meaning | example words |
|---|---|---|
| -less | Middle English adjective-forming suffix that means without | endless, fearless, wireless |
| -ance, -ence | Latin noun-forming suffix that means state, quality, or act of; The suffix -ance is usually attached to whole English words, whereas -ence is usually attached to roots: compare eloquence and acceptance | acceptance, admittance, residence, science |
| -al | Latin adjective-forming suffix that means pertaining to | cultural, dental, manual, universal |
| -ist | Greek noun-forming suffix that means person who does or believes in; Many words ending in -ist have a corresponding abstract noun form ending in -ism, and many have a corresponding adjective form ending in -ic (realistic, artistic). | artist, chemist, dentist |
| -itis | Greek noun-forming suffix that means inflammation | appendicitis, arthritis, poliomyelitis. |
| -logy, -ology | Greek noun-forming suffix that means study of, science of; written work; structure or principle | biology, ecology, geology |
| -en | Old English verb-forming suffix that means to cause to be or become or have | darken, enlighten, strengthen |
| -fy | Latin verb-forming suffix that means make, cause to be, become | clarify, justify, satisfy |
| -ize, -ise | Greek verb-forming suffix that means to turn into or cause to be | civilize, immunize, recognize |
| -ous, ious | Latin adjective-forming suffix that means full of, characterized by | gracious, joyous, spacious |
| -ics | Greek noun-forming suffix that means science, study, or practice of; properties of; practices pertaining to | economics, physics, politics |
| -ish | Old English adjective-forming suffix that means of, resembling; somewhat | childish, ticklish, foolish |
See the full list of roots, prefixes, and suffixes in the A to Z Word Parts feature at wordsmyth.net.
See also:
Word Parts I: basic roots
Word Parts II: basic suffixes
Word Parts IV: basic prefixes
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