Common Suffixes in English
A suffix is a letter or a collection of letters attached to the end of a word to form a brand new word or to change the grammatical function (or part of speech) of the word.
For example:- the verb read is made into the noun reader by adding the suffix -er. Similarly, read is made into the adjective readable by adding the suffix -able.
Sometimes by using the suffix at the end of the words the spelling of the base word changes. For example, when someone adds the suffix -ion to the end of the base word “revise” the end of the word e replaces with ion. By removing the -e and adding -ion a new word revision formed.
What’s the Purpose Of Suffixes In A Word?
Suffix increases our vocabulary. suffix transform noun into a verb without suffix, it’s not possible. its express our opinions, thought and feeling. its provide variety and depth to our writing.
Common Suffixes Words With Example
Noun Suffixes:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| -acy | state or quality | privacy, fallacy, delicacy |
| -al | act or process of | refusal, recital, rebuttal |
| -ance, -ence | state or quality of | maintenance, eminence, assurance |
| -dom | place or state of being | freedom, kingdom, boredom |
| -er, -or | one who | trainer, protector, narrator |
| -ism | doctrine, belief | communism, narcissism, skepticism |
| -ist | one who | chemist, narcissist, plagiarist |
| -ity, -ty | quality of | inactivity, veracity, parity, serenity |
| -ment | condition of | argument, endorsement, punishment |
| -ness | state of being | heaviness, sadness, rudeness, testiness |
| -ship | position held | fellowship, ownership, kinship, internship |
| -sion, -tion, -xion | state of being | concession, transition, abbreviation, complexion |
| -ee | forming nouns denoting the person affected directly or indirectly | employee, payee, trainee |
| -hood | brotherhood, childhood, neighbourhood | |
| -age | grow old or older | baggage, village, postage |
Suffixes Exercise
Read: 50 Examples of Common Suffixes with Meaning
Verb Suffixes:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| -ate | become | regulate, eradicate, enunciate, repudiate |
| -en | become | enlighten, awaken, strengthen |
| -ify, -fy | make or become | terrify, satisfy, rectify, exemplify |
| -ize, -ise* | become | civilize, humanize, socialize, valorize |
Adjective Suffixes:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| -able, -ible | capable of being | edible, presentable, abominable, credible |
| -al | pertaining to | regional, grammatical, emotional, coastal |
| -esque | reminiscent of | picturesque, statuesque, burlesque |
| -ful | notable for | fanciful, resentful, woeful, doubtful |
| -ic, -ical | pertaining to | musical, mythic, domestic, chiastic |
| -ious, -ous | characterized by | nutritious, portentous, studious |
| -ish | having the quality of | fiendish, childish, snobbish |
| -ive | having the nature of | creative, punitive, divisive, decisive |
| -less | without | endless, ageless, lawless, effortless |
| -y | characterized by | sleazy, hasty, greasy, nerdy, smelly |
| -en | resembling | broken, golden, wooden |
| -ese | denoting an inhabitant or language of a country or city | Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese |
| -ian | – | Canadian, Malaysian, Peruvian |
| -i | Iraqi, Pakistani, Yemeni | |
| -ly | daily, monthly, yearly |
Adverb suffixes:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| -ly | calmly, easily, quickly | |
| -ward(s) | downwards, homeward(s), upwards | |
| -wise | forming adjectives and adverbs of manner or respect | anti-clockwise, clockwise, edgewise |
