Word Suffix Reference
While the previous page focused on general root word components, this page is focusing on word components that appear at the end of words.
To jump to a word's listing, please click on its first letter:
a-d
e-h i-m n-r s-z
| |
Suffix |
Meanings |
Sample Words and Definitions |
 |
-able |
able to be |
excitable, portable, preventable |
|
-ac |
pertaining to |
cardiac, hemophiliac, maniac |
|
-acity (-ocity) |
quality of |
perspicacity, sagacity, velocity |
|
-ade |
act, action or process, product |
blockade, cavalcade, promenade, |
|
-age |
action or process |
passage, pilgrimage, voyage |
|
-aholic (-oholic) |
one with an obsession for |
workaholic, shopaholic, alcoholic |
|
-al |
relating to |
bacterial, theatrical, natural |
|
-algia |
pain |
neuralgia, nostalgia, |
| |
-an (-ian) |
relating to, belonging to |
Italian, urban, African |
|
-ance |
state or quality of |
brilliance, defiance, annoyance |
|
-ant |
a person who |
applicant, immigrant, servant |
|
-ant |
inclined to, tending to |
brilliant, defiant, vigilant |
|
-ar |
of or relating to, being |
lunar, molecular, solar |
|
-ar |
a person who |
beggar, burglar, liar |
|
-ard |
a person who does an action |
coward, sluggard, wizard |
|
-arian |
a person who |
disciplinarian, vegetarian, librarian |
|
-arium (orium) |
a place for |
terrarium, aquarium, solarium |
| |
-ary |
of or relating to |
literary, military, budgetary |
|
-ate |
state or quality of (adj.) |
affectionate, desolate, obstinate |
|
-ate |
makes the word a verb |
activate, evaporate, medicate |
|
-ation |
action or process |
creation, narration, emancipation |
|
-ative |
tending to (adj.) |
creative, preservative, talkative |
|
-cide |
act of killing |
homicide, suicide, genocide |
|
-cracy |
rule, government, power |
bureaucracy, aristocracy, theocracy |
| |
-crat |
someone who has power |
aristocrat, bureaucrat, technocrat |
|
-cule |
diminutive (making something small) |
molecule, ridicule, |
|
-cy |
state, condition or quality |
efficiency, privacy, belligerency |
|
-cycle |
circle, wheel |
bicycle, recycle, tricycle |
|
-dom |
condition of, state, realm |
boredom, freedom, wisdom |
|
-dox |
belief, praise |
orthodox, paradox |
|
-ectomy |
surgical removal of |
appendectomy, hysterectomy |
| |
-ed |
past tense |
called, hammered, laughed |
|
-ee |
receiver, performer |
nominee, employee, devotee |
|
-eer |
associated with/engaged in |
engineer, volunteer |
|
-emia |
blood condition |
anemia, hypoglycemia, leukemia |
|
-en |
makes the word a verb |
awaken, fasten, strengthen |
|
-ence |
state or condition, action |
absence, dependence, negligence |
|
-ency |
condition or quality |
clemency, dependency, efficiency |
| |
-ent |
inclined to performing/causing, or one who
performs/causes |
competent, correspondent, absorbent |
|
-er |
more |
bigger, faster, happier |
|
-er |
action or process |
flutter, ponder, stutter |
|
-er |
a person who does an action |
announcer, barber, teacher |
|
-ern |
state or quality of |
eastern, northern, western |
|
-escence |
state or process |
adolescence, convalescence |
|
-ese |
relating to a place |
Chinese, Congolese, Vietnamese |
|
-esque |
in the style of |
Kafkaesque, grotesque, burlesque |
|
-ess |
female |
actress, heiress, lioness |
|
-est |
most |
funniest, hottest, silliest |
| |
-etic |
relating to (makes the word an adj.) |
athletic, energetic, poetic |
|
-ette |
diminutive (makes something smaller) |
cigarette, diskette, kitchenette |
|
-ful |
full of |
helpful, thankful, cheerful |
|
-fy |
make, cause (makes the word a verb) |
amplify, falsify, terrify |
|
-gam/gamy |
marriage, union |
monogam, polygamy |
|
-gon/gonic |
angle |
hexagon, polygonic, pentagon |
|
-hood |
state, condition, or quality |
childhood, neighborhood, motherhood |
|
-ial |
relating to |
celestial, editorial, martial |
|
-ian |
relating to |
|
