Suffix
Meaning
Examples
Function or Characteristic Usage
Notes in this column refer to common functions of these suffixes. However, these are generalizations only, and you will find exceptions to many of them.
able, ible
able, can do
capable, agreeable, visible
verb ® adjective†
ade
result of action
blockade, lemonade
verb or noun ® noun
age
act of, state of, collection of
salvage, storage, forage
added to root words (often French) to form a noun
al
relating to
sensual, gradual, manual, natural
verb or noun ® adjective
algia
pain
neuralgia
noun
an, ian
native of, pertaining to
American, Martian, antediluvian
noun ® adjective
ance, ancy
action, process, state
assistance, allowance, defiance
verb ® noun
ant
performing, agent
assistant, servant
verb ® noun
ary, ery, ory
relating to, quality, place where
dictionary, bravery, dormitory, aviary, ordinary
noun or adjective
adjective ® noun
adjective or noun ® noun
ate
cause, make
liquidate, segregate
noun or adjective ® verb
cian
having a specific skill
magician, optician, physician
noun
cule, ling
very small
molecule, miniscule,
noun or adjective
cy
action, function
advocacy, hesitancy, prophecy, normalcy
noun
dom
quality, realm, office
freedom, kingdom, wisdom, thralldom
noun
ee
one who receives the action
employee, nominee, refugee
noun
en
made of, make
silken, frozen, oaken, wooden, lighten
adjective or verb (ex: widen)
ence, ency
action, state of, quality
difference, conference, urgency
noun
er, or
on who, that which
baker, carpenter, brewer
noun
escent
in the process of
adolescent, obsolescent, convalescent
adjective or noun
ese
a native of
Javanese, Vietnamese
noun or adjective
esis, osis
action, process, condition
genesis, hypnosis, neurosis, osmosis
noun
ess
female
poetess, goddess
noun
et, ette
small one, group
midget, octet, baronet,
noun
fic
making, causing
scientific, specific
adjective
ful
full of
frightful, beautiful, helpful
adjective
fy
make
fortify, simplify
verb
hood
order, quality
neighborhood, motherhood
noun
ic
nature of, like
metallic, heroic, poetic
adjective
ice
condition, state, quality
justice, malice
noun
id, ide
something connected to or belonging to
fluid, fluoride, torrid, canid
noun or adjective
ine
having the nature or characteristic of
feminine, masculine, medicine
adjective or noun
ion, sion, tion
act of, state of, result of
contagion, infection, aversion
noun
ish
origin, nature, resembling
Spanish, foolish,
noun ® adjective (however, often the adjective is used as a noun. ex: "The Spanish" meaning the people of Spain)
ism
system, manner, condition
alcoholism, feminism, heroism, communism
noun
ist
one who, that which
pianist, elitist
noun
verb ® noun
ite
nature of, quality of
dynamite, graphite, sulfite, neophyte
noun or adjective
verb or adjective ® adjective or noun
ity, ty
state of, quality
captivity, clarity
noun
ive
causing
conclusive, festive, restive, abusive
adjective or nouns derived from adjectives
ize
to make (like)
emphasize, anthropomorphize
verb
less
without
worthless, mindless, guileless
adjective
ly
like
clearly, fearlessly
adverb
ment
act of, result
contentment, amendment
noun
verb ® noun
ness
state of
carelessness, uselessness
adjective ® noun