Learning suffixes is an easy way to grow your vocabulary and understand how words are formed. A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or part of speech. In this lesson, you will learn 30+ common suffixes that help make nouns and adjectives. These examples will help you remember suffixes more easily and use them correctly in your sentences. This is a great way to improve your English grammar and speaking skills.
If you are looking for a detailed lesson on Suffixes and Prefixes then check the link given below: Suffixes and Prefixes with Examples
What is a suffix?
A suffix is a group of letters added at the end of a word to make a new word with a new meaning.
What is a noun suffix?
A noun suffix is added at the end of a base word to make a noun (a name of a person, place, thing, or idea).
Common Structures for Noun Formation
| Structure | Example | New Noun |
|---|---|---|
| verb + -er/-or | teach + er | teacher |
| verb + -ee | employ + ee | employee |
| verb + -ment | move + ment | movement |
| verb + -tion/-ion | act + ion | action |
| adjective + -ness | kind + ness | kindness |
| noun + -ism | Buddha + ism | Buddhism |
| adjective + -ity | active + ity | activity |
| noun + -ist | art + ist | artist |
| verb + -age | wreck + age | wreckage |
Rules for Noun Formation
- If the base word ends in ‘e’, drop the ‘e’ before adding the suffix.
Example: create → creation - If the base word ends in ‘y’, change ‘y’ to ‘i’ when adding some suffixes.
Example: happy → happiness - Some noun suffixes indicate a person (-er, -or, -ee, -ist, -ant)
- Some show an idea or state (-ment, -ness, -tion, -ism, -ance)
Suffixes that make Nouns
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| –age | A result | Wreckage |
| –ance | An action or state | Importance |
| -ant | A person | Assistant |
| –ee | A person | Referee |
| -ence | An action or state | Difference |
| -er/or | A person | Teacher |
| –ery | A type or place of work | Bakery |
| –ess | Makes a feminine form | Waitress |
| -ful | As much as will fill | Spoonful |
| –ing | An action or result | Painting |
| –ion | A process, state result | Decoration |
| –ism | A belief or condition | Judaism |
| –ist | A person | Florist |
| –ment | An action or state | Measurement |
Use in Sentences (Nouns)
- The wreckage was everywhere after the storm.
- Her importance to the team is huge.
- The assistant helped the teacher.
- The referee stopped the game.
- There’s a big difference between the two ideas.
- Our teacher is very kind.
- She works in a bakery.
- The waitress brought our food.
- He drank a spoonful of medicine.
- I love painting as a hobby.
- The room had beautiful decoration.
- Judaism is a world religion.
- The florist sells flowers.
- We learned about measurement in class.
What is an adjective suffix?
An adjective suffix is added to a word to form an adjective (a word that describes something).
Common Structures for Adjective Formation
| Structure | Example | New Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| verb + -able/-ible | read + able | readable |
| noun + -ful | beauty + ful | beautiful |
| noun + -less | care + less | careless |
| noun + -ish | child + ish | childish |
| noun + -ous | danger + ous | dangerous |
| noun + -en | wool + en | woolen |
| noun + -like | life + like | lifelike |
| noun + -some | trouble + some | troublesome |
Rules for Adjective Formation
- Use -able/-ible with verbs to show ability or possibility.
Example: break → breakable - Use -ful for “full of” meaning, and -less for “without.”
Example: care → careful / careless - Use -ous, -ish, -like, -some to add description or quality.
Example: joy → joyous, fool → foolish
Suffixes that make Adjectives
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| –able | Able to be | Inflatable |
| -en | Made of | Woolen |
| -ful | Full of | Beautiful |
| –ible | Ability | Flexible |
| –ish | A little | Greenish |
| –less | Without | Careless |
| –like | Similar to, like | Lifelike |
| –ous | Full of | Joyous |
| –some | A tendency to | Quarrelsome |
Use in Sentences (Adjectives)
- This toy is inflatable.
- She wore a woolen scarf.
- What a beautiful flower!
- The gymnast is very flexible.
- The sky looked greenish at sunset.
- That was a careless mistake.
- This robot is lifelike.
- Everyone felt joyous at the party.
- He is sometimes quarrelsome with others.
Suffix Examples in English
Suffixes that make Nouns and Adjectives
Suffixes are added at the end of words. Some suffixes create nouns, while others make adjectives. Learning suffixes helps you understand, form, and use new English words easily.
Read More
