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:

SuffixMeaningExample
-acystate or qualityprivacy, fallacy, delicacy
-alact or process ofrefusal, recital, rebuttal
-ance, -encestate or quality ofmaintenance, eminence, assurance
-domplace or state of beingfreedom, kingdom, boredom
-er, -orone whotrainer, protector, narrator
-ismdoctrine, beliefcommunism, narcissism, skepticism
-istone whochemist, narcissist, plagiarist
-ity, -tyquality ofinactivity, veracity, parity, serenity
-mentcondition ofargument, endorsement, punishment
-nessstate of beingheaviness, sadness, rudeness, testiness
-shipposition heldfellowship, ownership, kinship, internship
-sion, -tion, -xionstate of beingconcession, transition, abbreviation, complexion
-eeforming nouns denoting the person affected directly or indirectlyemployee, payee, trainee
-hoodbrotherhood, childhood, neighbourhood
-agegrow old or olderbaggage, village, postage

Verb Suffixes:

SuffixMeaningExample
-atebecomeregulate, eradicate, enunciate, repudiate
-enbecomeenlighten, awaken, strengthen
-ify, -fymake or becometerrify, satisfy, rectify, exemplify
-ize, -ise*becomecivilize, humanize, socialize, valorize

Adjective Suffixes:

SuffixMeaningExample
-able, -iblecapable of beingedible, presentable, abominable, credible
-alpertaining toregional, grammatical, emotional, coastal
-esquereminiscent ofpicturesque, statuesque, burlesque
-fulnotable forfanciful, resentful, woeful, doubtful
-ic, -icalpertaining tomusical, mythic, domestic, chiastic
-ious, -ouscharacterized bynutritious, portentous, studious
-ishhaving the quality offiendish, childish, snobbish
-ivehaving the nature ofcreative, punitive, divisive, decisive
-lesswithoutendless, ageless, lawless, effortless
-ycharacterized bysleazy, hasty, greasy, nerdy, smelly
-enresemblingbroken, golden, wooden
-esedenoting an inhabitant or language of a country or cityChinese, Japanese, Vietnamese
-ianCanadian, Malaysian, Peruvian
-iIraqi, Pakistani, Yemeni
-lydaily, monthly, yearly

Adverb suffixes:

SuffixMeaningExample
-lycalmly, easily, quickly
-ward(s)downwards, homeward(s), upwards
-wiseforming adjectives and adverbs of manner or respectanti-clockwise, clockwise, edgewise


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