-ious

1. variant of -ous, added to stems of Latin origin, often with corresponding nouns ending in -ity: atrocious; hilarious.

-ious

suffix forming adjectives

1. See -eous
   characterized by or full of Compare -eous

   ambitious

   religious

   suspicious

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ious¹

Middle English ≪ Latin -iōsus ( -i-, -ose ¹ ) and Latin -ius (masculine singular adj. ending, as in varius )

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ious¹

from Latin -ius and -iōsus full of

Example Sentences

In 2009, California, the largest state, nearly ran out of money and had to issue IOUs.

From The Daily Beast

We need to stop writing IOUs to the next budget and delaying payments we know will come due.

From The Daily Beast

Plus, the giving landed Pataki 101 IOUs from candidates throughout the country.

From The Daily Beast

Ophid′ian, Ophid′ious, pertaining to serpents: having the nature of a serpent.

From Project Gutenberg

The hab-it of hold-ing these din-ners is a per-nic-ious one and must be stamp-ed out.

From Project Gutenberg

What, you're afraid of having what we call bill-ious fever, I suppose, eh?

From Project Gutenberg

Then looking around the room at the piles of ironed clothes, he added: "You sutny is a indust'ious ooman."

From Project Gutenberg

Bil′iary, belonging to or conveying bile; Bil′ious, pertaining to or affected by bile.

From Project Gutenberg