Understanding the little pieces at the end of English words, called suffixes, can be a game-changer in mastering the language. These suffixes can tell us a lot about a word, like what it’s doing in a sentence or how it relates to other words. Imagine you’re a detective, and these suffixes are clues that help you crack the code of English words. By getting to know them, you’ll not only boost your vocabulary but also become more confident in using English in fun and creative ways.
What are Suffixes in English Grammar?
A suffix is a letter or group of letters, for example ‘-ly’ or ‘-ness,’ which is added to the end of a word in order to form a different word, often of a different word class.
Learn Common Noun Suffixes in English with Pictures. How to use suffixes to create nouns from adjectives and verbs. Our suffix word lists are the second part of our comprehensive root word tables.
Common Suffixes in English
Noun Suffixes |
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Suffixes | Meaning | Example |
-ment | condition of | argument, government, punishment |
-ist | one who | chemist, racist, plagiarist |
-ism | doctrine, belief | communism, feminism, skepticism |
-sion, -tion | state of being | concession, transcription, abbreviation |
-ship | position held | fellowship, scholarship, kinship, internship |
-dom | state of being | freedom, boredom |
-ness | state of being | heaviness, sadness, testiness |
-ity, -ty | quality of | inactivity, veracity, parity, serenity |
-ance, -ence | state or quality | maintenance, eminence, assurance |
-acy | state or quality | privacy, fallacy, delicacy |
-al | act or process of | refusal, recital, rebuttal |
-er, -or | one who | trainer, protector, narrator |
Verb Suffixes |
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Suffixes | Meaning | Example |
-ize, -ise* | become | civilize, humanize, socialize, valorize |
-en | become | enlighten, awaken, strengthen |
-ate | become | regulate, eradicate, enunciate, repudiate |
-ify, -fy | make or become | terrify, satisfy, rectify, exemplify |
Adverb Suffixes |
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Suffixes | Meaning | Example |
-ward | in a certain direction | backward, wayward, awkward, afterward |
-ly | in what manner something is being done | bravely, simply, honestly, gladly |
-wise | in relation to | clockwise, edgewise, lengthwise, otherwise |
Adjective Suffixes |
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Suffixes | Meaning | Example |
-ive | having the nature of | creative, punitive, divisive, decisive |
-able, -ible | capable of being | edible, presentable, abominable, credible |
-less | without | endless, ageless, lawless, effortless |
-ful | notable for | fanciful, resentful, woeful, doubtful |
-ish | having the quality of | fiendish, childish, snobbish |
-ic, -ical | pertaining to | musical, mythic, domestic, chiastic |
-ious, -ous | characterized by | nutritious, portentous, studious |
-esque | reminiscent of | picturesque, statuesque, burlesque |
-al | pertaining to | regional, grammatical, emotional, coastal |
-y | characterized by | sleazy, hasty, greasy, nerdy, smelly |
Explore More: Prefixes List a to z
Infographics (Common Suffixes in English)
Download this List of Common Suffixes in English PDF (Download PDF)