suffix
English meaning: Suffix
Definition
A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or form. For example, '-ly' in 'quickly' is a suffix.
Example
“Add a suffix to turn the noun into an adjective.”
Another example: “By adding the suffix '-ful' to 'hope', we get the adjective 'hopeful'.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A linguistics / spelling term; letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or grammatical form (-ly, -ness, -ed). Taught alongside prefixes. Distinct from 'ending' in inflection.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'suffixum' meaning fastened beneath.
Synonyms
- ending
Antonyms / Opposites
Related Words
- suffixes
- infix
- ergative
- intransitive
- locative
- morphemes
- possessor
- nouns
- possessive
- adverbs
- morpheme
- andes
Common Collocations
- add a suffix
- common suffix
- the suffix -ly
- prefix and suffix
- verb suffix
Word Forms
suffix (n); suffixes (pl); suffix (v); suffixed; suffixing
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B