A suffix is one or more letters added at the end of a base word to make a new word.
The new word formed usually becomes a different word class from the original base word. For example, with the use of a suffix, a verb can be changed to an adjective or a noun. Similarly, an adjective or a noun can be changed to an adverb by the use of a suffix.
Common Suffixes in English
Noun Suffixes
| Suffixes | Meaning | Example |
| -ment | forming abstract noun | entertainment, management, improvement |
| -ist | one who | tourist, journalist, novelist |
| -ism | belief, doctrine | socialism, journalism, baptism |
| -sion, -tion | quality or state | discussion, manipulation, generation |
| -ship | quality or state, position held | leadership, membership, partnership |
| -dom | state of being | stardom, martyrdom |
| -ness | quality or state | greatness, willingness, madness |
| -ity, -ty | quality of | curiousity, honesty, majesty |
| -ance, -ence | state or quality | importance, assistance, brilliance |
| -acy | state or quality | legacy,accuracy, democracy |
| -al | act or process of | survival, denial, removal |
| -er, -or | one who | instructor, operator, investor |
Verb Suffixes
| Suffixes | Meaning | Example |
| -ize, -ise | become | normalize,advertise, baptize |
| -en | become | straighten, weaken, worsen |
| -ate | become | formulate, congratulate, activate |
| -ify, -fy | make or become | clarify, identify, certify |
Adverb Suffixes
| Suffixes | Meaning | Example |
| -ward | in a certain direction | upward, westward, wayward |
| -ly | in what manner something is being done | greatly, loudly, highly |
| -wise | in relation to | likewise, edgewise, crosswise |
Adjective Suffixes
| Suffixes | Meaning | Example |
| -ive | having the nature or cetain quality of | active, aggressive, protective |
| -able, -ible | able to be done or able to be used | enjoyable, lovable, adaptable |
| -less | without | fearless, useless, worthless |
| -ful | full of a certain quality | careful, joyful, painful |
| -ish | having the quality or similar to a certain quality | foolish, bookish, yellowish |
| -ic, -ical | pertaining to | dramatic, organic,historical |
| -ious, -ous | characterized by | religious, famous, joyous |
| -esque | to show likeness | carnivalesque, picturesque, statuesque |
| -al | related to a certain thing | annual, cultural, spiritual |
| -y | having the characteristics of something | smelly, airy, dirty |
Tips:
The spelling of the new word may be changed when adding a suffix.
a. For words with only one consonant and a short vowel sound, double the last consonant before the suffix.
| base word | with suffix |
| drop | dropping |
| big | bigger |
| fat | fatter |
b. For words ending in two consonants, the suffix is usually added as is.
| base word | with suffix |
| jump | jumper |
| insist | insisted |
c. For words ending in a consonant followed by a ‘y‘, we remove the ‘y‘ and replace it with an ‘i‘ before adding the suffix.
| base word | with suffix |
| beauty | beautiful |
| angry | angrier |
| silly | sillier |