English suffixes

A suffix is a specific group of letters at the end of a word. It often indicates part of the meaning of the whole word.

Example: “less” = without

If you know the most common suffixes, it will help to deduce the meaning of new words.

Example:

I had a sleepless night at the hotel.

You already know the word “sleep” and now you know that the suffix “less” means “without”. Therefore you can deduce that the sentence means: “I had a night without sleep.”

Use a good dictionary to check the meaning of all new words.

There are 2 main types of suffix in English:

1) Inflectional suffixes
2) Derivational suffixes

Inflectional suffixes

Inflectional suffixes are grammatical suffixes. The basic meaning of the word does not change.

Here are some examples:

ed

The suffix “ed” indicates the past simple tense of a regular verb and sometimes the past participle.

Example:
walk -> walked
They walked on the beach.

s

The suffix “s” transforms a singular noun into a plural noun.

cat -> cats

en

The suffix “en” represents the past participle of certain irregular verbs.

Example:
eat -> eaten
He has eaten his meal.

ing

The suffix “ing” on a verb is its continous form or its gerund.

Example:
cook -> cooking
Mark is cooking dinner.

er

The suffix “er” on the end of an adjective transforms the adjective into a comparative.

Example:
big -> bigger
This building is bigger.

est

The suffix “est” on the end of an adjective transforms the adjective into a superlative.

Example:
big -> biggest
This building is the biggest.

Derivational suffixes

Derivational suffixes transform a word from one type of word to another. The basic meaning of the word changes.

verb -> noun
noun -> adjective
noun -> verb
adjective -> adverb
adjective -> noun
adjective -> verb

As an example, the suffix “able” transforms the noun “comfort” into the adjective “comfortable“.

Here are the most common derivational suffixes:

“able” and “ible”

The suffixes “able” and “ible” represent an adjective.
The meaning is “can be done” or “capable of”

Examples:
comfortable (adjective) = capable of comforting
The couch is very comfortable.

portable (adjective) = can be carried or moved.
This is a portable radio.

Other examples: presentable, taxable, edible

“er”, “ier” and “or”

The suffixes “er”, “ier” and “or” represent a noun.

The meaning is “a person who does something”

Examples:
driver (noun) = person who drives
Mark is a taxi driver.

golfer (noun) = person who plays golf
David is a very good golfer.

Other examples: writer, swimmer, director, Londoner

ess

The suffix “ess” represents a noun.
The meaning is “female”.

Examples:
lioness (noun) = a female lion.
Here is a lioness.

actress (noun) = a female actor.
Emma Watson is a British actress.

Other examples: goddess, princess, heiress

ful

The suffix “ful” represents an adjective.
The meaning is “full of something”

Examples:
peaceful (adjective) = full of peace and quiet.
This view is very peaceful.

cheerful (adjective) = happy (full of cheer)
David is very cheerful today.

Other examples: thankful, useful, helpful

ly

The suffix “ly” represents an adverb of manner.
The meaning is “in the manner of” or “in the way of”

Examples:

slowly (adverb) = to do something in a slow way.
The cars are moving very slowly.

quickly (adverb) = to do something in a quick way
The dog is running very quickly.

Other examples: badly, loudly, quietly

less

The suffix “less” represents an adjective.
The meaning is “without”.

Examples:
endless (adjective) = without an end
The road seems endless.

homeless (adjective) = without a home
The lady is homeless.

Other examples: hopeless, fearless, useless

“ous”, “ious” and “eous”

The suffixes “ous”, “ious” and “eous” represent an adjective.
The meaning is “having the quality of”

Examples:
famous (adjective) = having fame
Mark is a famous guitarist.

nutritious (adjective) = having nutrition
Salad is a very nutritious meal.

Other examples: nervous, cautious, curvaceous

ness

The suffix “ness” represents a noun.
The meaning is a state, condition or quality.

Examples:
fitness (noun) = the condition of being fit (strong and healthy)

She is trying to improve her fitness.

shyness (noun) = the condition of being shy.
Her shyness is a problem when trying to make friends.

Other examples: kindness, happiness, freshness, weakness

ism

The suffix “ism” represents a noun.
The meaning is a philosophy, movement or belief.

Examples:
capitalism (noun) = an economic philosophy.
Capitalism is the economic system in many countries.

impressionism (noun) = a style of painting.
Impressionism started in France in the 19th century.

Other examples: racism, socialism, favouritism, sexism

ist

The suffix “ist” represents a noun.
The meaning is a person who does something or believes in something.

Examples:
artist (noun) = person who draws or paints.
Clare is learning to be an artist.

pianist = person who plays the piano
John is a very good pianist.

Other examples: dentist, pharmacist, guitarist, socialist

“ise” and “ize”

The suffixes “ise” and “ize” represent a verb.
“ise” is British English and it means to make, to render or to do.
“ize” is American English and it also means to make, to render or to do.

Examples:
to prioritise (verb – British English)
to prioritize (verb – American English)
Both words mean the same – to decide what is the most important / to define the priorities.
We don’t have much time. Let’s prioritise the work.

to legalise (verb – British English)
to legalize (verb – American English)
Both words mean the same – to allow something by law / to make something legal.
The state of Colorado in the USA has legalised cannabis.

Other examples: realise / realize, civilise / civilize, authorise / authorize