List of Common Suffixes
VERB SUFFIXES
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ate | cause to become | regulate: make regular |
| en | cause to become | brighten: make bright |
| ify | cause to become | horrify: frighten |
| ize | cause to become | idolize: worship as a god |
NOUN SUFFIXES
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| acy, icy | state or quality | hypocrisy: the state of behaving differently from one’s stated beliefs |
| al | process of | betrayal: the process of betraying |
| ant | one who | defendant: the person being defended in a trial |
| cide | killing | fratricide: the killing of a brother |
| er, or | one who | advisor: a person who advises others |
| ion | process of | subtraction: the process of reducing a number |
| ism | doctrine, belief | Buddhism: the philosophy of Buddha |
| ist | one who | Buddhist: one who practices Buddhism |
| ty, ity | quality | cruelty: quality of being cruel or unkind |
| ment | condition | amusement: something that amuses, or the condition of being amused |
| ness | state of being | sleepiness: the state of being sleepy |
| phile | love | bibliophile: a person who loves books |
| phobia | fear | hydrophobia: fear of water |
| sion, tion | state of being | revulsion: state of being revolted |
ADJECTIVE SUFFIXES
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| able, ible | capable of being | adorable: cute, lovable |
| al | pertaining to | presidential: having to do with a president |
| esque | reminiscent | Chaplinesque: like Charlie Chaplin |
| ful | full of | playful: full of play, frolicsome |
| ic, ical | pertaining to | comedic: pertaining to comedy,funny |
| ish | having the quality of | foolish: having the quality of a fool, silly |
| ous, ious | characterized by | pretentious: having pretense, showy |
| ive | having the nature of | festive: like a festival, happy, upbeat |
| less | without | spiritless: without energy, limp |
| y | characterized by | witty: having wit, clever |