Suffix List A to Z! Suffixes are a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning. There are many different suffixes in English, each with its own function and meaning. Here is a list of the most common suffixes, along with their meanings and examples:
–A: A Suffix Meaning “One Who”
–er: A Suffix Meaning “More”
–est: A Suffix Meaning “Most”
–ful: A Suffix Meaning “Full of”
–ible: A Suffix Meaning “Can Be Done”
These are just a few examples of the hundreds of different suffixes in English. Learning these suffixes can help you better understand the meaning of words and make it easier to guess the meaning of new words you encounter.
| –able | able to be | capable, valuable, acceptable, stable, |
| -acy | quality | accuracy, democracy, diplomacy, autocracy, immediacy |
| -al | process of | denial, trial, criminal, seasonal, global |
| -ance | state | nuisance, acceptance, assistance, compliance, resistance |
| -ate | become | collaborate, accurate, appropriate, climate, |
| -dom | state of being | stardom, seldom, wisdom |
| -en | become | strengthen |
| -en | made of | golden, sweeten, harden, lighten, |
| -ence | quality of | consequence, convenience, experience |
| -ful | full of | powerful , grateful, |
| -fy | Make | simplify, satisfy, diversify, exemplify, indemnify |
| –ible | ability | sensible, impossible, horrible, legible/illegible, flexible |
| -ise | become | synthesize, advertise, advise, arise, chastise |
| -ise | Become | synthesize, advertise, advise, arise, chastise |
| –ish | a little | accomplish, extinguish, outlandish, impoverish, silverfish |
| -ism | belief | skepticism, exceptionalism, existentialism |
| -ist | person | protagonist, scientist, theorist, receptionist, technologist |
| –less | without | meaningless, ruthless, countless, careless, needless |
| –like | similar to | seamanlike, workmanlike, canelike, sylphlike, apelike |
| –ly | in a manner | badly, boldly, bravely, carefully, certainly |
| -ment | condition | argument, achievement, amazement, payment, |
| -ness | state of being | highness, dryness, coolness |
| -or | person | ablator, inventor, abductor, franchisor |
| –ous | full of | comous, famous, fucous, joyous, lupous |
| -ship | position held | hardship, flagship, hardship, lordship, kingship |
| –some | a tendency to | handsome, fearsome, tiresome, lonesome, liposome |
| -tion | state of being | promotion, pollution, revolution, caution, option |
| -ty | quality of | validity, susceptibility, territoriality, sentimentality, intentionality |
| –ways | shows direction | edgeways, lengthways, sunways |
| –wise | in a manner of | umbrellawise, circularwise, flockwise, zigzagwise, spirewise |
