SUFFIX: 30+ Common Suffixes with Definition & Examples

Suffixes! Learn common suffixes list in English with meaning and examples to increase your English vocabulary. Learn suffix list with ESL printable worksheets and video lesson.

List of common prefixes in English with examples. 

What is a Suffix? Suffix Examples

What is a Suffix? Learn suffix definition with examples.

Suffix definition:

In English, a suffix is a letter/a group of letters attached to the end of a word to form a new word or to change the grammatical function (part of speech) of the original word. In other words, a suffix is a few letters put at the end of a word to change its meaning.

A suffix is a type of affix which is attached to the root of a word, only this time, the letters are attached to the end of the word rather than the beginning.

Suffix examples:

• -ile: Futile, senile, fragile…
• -y: Rainy, funny, dirty, messy, dirty…
• -ise, -ize: Publicise, synthesise, hypnotise

List of suffixes and suffix examples 

List of Suffixes in English

Noun Suffixes

Noun suffix list and examples:

Suffix -acy

• Meaning: State or quality
• Example: Democracy, accuracy, lunacy

Suffix -al

• Suffix meaning: The action or process of
• Example: Remedial, denial, trial, criminal

Suffix -ance, -ence

• Meaning: State or quality of
• Example: Nuisance, ambience, tolerance

Suffix -dom

• Meaning: Place or state of being
• Example: Freedom, stardom, boredom

Suffix -er, -or

• Suffix meaning: Person or object that does a specified action
• Example: Reader, creator, interpreter, inventor, collaborator, teacher

Suffix -ism

• Meaning: Doctrine, belief
• Example: Judaism, scepticism, escapism

Suffix -ist

• Meaning: Person or object that does a specified action
• Example: Geologist, protagonist, sexist, scientist, theorist, communist

Suffix -ity, -ty

• Meaning: Quality of
• Example: Extremity, validity, enormity

Suffix -ment

• Meaning: Condition
• Example: Enchantment, argument

Suffix -ness

• Meaning: State of being
• Example: Heaviness, highness, sickness

Suffix -ship

• Meaning: Position held
• Example: Friendship, hardship, internship

Suffix -sion, -tion

• Meaning: State of being
• Example: Position, promotion, cohesion, ambition

List of suffixes and suffix examples 

Verb Suffixes

Verb suffix list and examples:

Suffix -ate

• Meaning: Become
• Example: Mediate, collaborate, create

Suffix -en

• Meaning: Become
• Example: Sharpen, strengthen, loosen

Suffix -ify, -fy

• Meaning: Make or become
• Example: Justify, simplify, magnify, satisfy

Suffix -ise, -ize

• Meaning: Become
• Example: Publicise, synthesise, hypnotise

Adjective Suffixes

Adjective suffix list and examples:

Suffix -able, -ible

• Meaning: Capable of being
• Example: Edible, fallible, incredible, audible

Suffix -al

• Meaning: Having the form or character of
• Example: Fiscal, thermal, herbal, colonial

Suffix -esque

• Meaning: In a manner of or resembling
• Example: Picturesque, burlesque, grotesque

Suffix -ful

• Meaning: Notable for
• Example: Handful, playful, hopeful, skilful

Suffix -ic, -ical

• Meaning: Having the form or character of
• Example: Psychological, hypocritical, methodical, nonsensical, musical

Suffix -ious, -ous

• Meaning: Characterised by
• Example: Pious, jealous, religious, ridiculous

Suffix -ish

• Meaning: Having the quality of
• Example: Squeamish, sheepish, childish

Suffix -ive

• Meaning: Having the nature of
• Example: Inquisitive, informative, attentive

Suffix -less

• Meaning: Without
• Example: Meaningless, hopeless, homeless

Suffix -y

• Meaning: Characterised by
• Example: Dainty, beauty, airy, jealousy

Common adjective suffixes with suffix examples. 

Adverb Suffixes

Adverb suffix list and examples:

Suffix -ly

• Suffix definition: Related to or quality
• Examples: Softly, slowly, happily, crazily, madly

Suffix -ward, -wards

• Suffix meaning: Direction
• Examples: Towards, afterwards, backwards, inward

Suffix -wise

• Meaning: In relation to
• Example: Otherwise, likewise, clockwise

Suffixes Chart in English

Suffixes Video