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 |