-ence

Save This Word!

a noun suffix equivalent to -ance, corresponding to the suffix -ent in adjectives: abstinence; continence; dependence; difference.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of -ence

Middle English <Old French <Latin -entia, equivalent to -ent--ent + -ia-y³

Words nearby -ence

encase, encasement, encash, encastré, encaustic, -ence, enceinte, Enceladus, encephal-, encephalalgia, encephalasthenia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use -ence in a sentence

Of course circumstances make a differ ence in the desires of men, but the general original tendency is as stated.
The Science of Human Nature|William Henry Pyle
Pres′ence-cham′ber, -room, the chamber or room in which a great personage receives company.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
Folks calls 'im Laz'rus in ref'ence to de Bible chil' what riz up jes' same way lak', outen de daid col' tomb.
The Faith Healer|William Vaughn Moody
The refer ence to O-Kuni seems to me extremely severe; for her story is very beautiful and touching.
The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 2|Elizabeth Bisland

Well, sir, it didn't make no diff'ence whether we'd been did befo' or not, he 'lowed thet he wanted to see us vaccinated ag'in.
Sonny, A Christmas Guest|Ruth McEnery Stuart

British Dictionary definitions for -ence

-ence

-ency

suffix forming nouns

indicating an action, state, condition, or qualitybenevolence; residence; patience

Word Origin for -ence

via Old French from Latin -entia, from -ēns, present participial ending

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012