Suffix
/ˈsʌfɪks/
Definitions
2 meaningsA letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or grammatical function.
/ˈsʌfɪks/
The word 'beautiful' has the suffix '-ful'.
💡 Simply: A suffix is like the extra piece at the end of a word that can totally change its meaning, like adding '-ing' to 'run' to make it about doing something right now, 'running'. It’s like a word accessory!
👶 For kids: A suffix is something you stick on the END of a word to change what it means!
More Examples
Understanding suffixes can help you decipher the meaning of new words.
Adding the suffix '-ly' often turns adjectives into adverbs.
How It's Used
"In the word 'running', '-ing' is a suffix indicating present continuous tense."
"Adding the suffix '-er' to a verb often forms a noun denoting a person performing the action."
To add a suffix to a word.
/ˈsʌfɪks/
The editor suffix the word to clarify the grammar.
💡 Simply: To 'suffix' a word is to stick a suffix onto it, like adding '-ed' to 'walk' to say you already walked – 'walk-ed'!
👶 For kids: To suffix is to add something to the end of a word!
More Examples
I suffix the word 'write' with '-ing' to indicate a continuous action.
When you suffix a word, you change its function.
How It's Used
"The linguist suffix the word 'happy' with '-ness' to form 'happiness'."
From Late Latin *suffixus*, past participle of *suffigere* 'to fasten on, to fix beneath,' from *sub* 'under' + *figere* 'to fasten.'
Historically, the term 'suffix' has consistently referred to an element appended to the end of a word, evolving with the study of language.
Memory tip
Think of 'suffix' as what's *fixed* at the end.
Word Origin
"to fasten under (sub + figere)"