-le

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a suffix of verbs having a frequentative force: dazzle; twinkle.

a suffix of adjectives formed originally on verbal stems and having the sense of “apt to”: brittle.

a noun suffix having originally a diminutive meaning: bramble.

a noun suffix indicating agent or instrument: beadle; bridle; thimble.

QUIZ

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Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

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Origin of -le

Middle English -len,Old English -lian (v.); Middle English -el,Old English -ol (adj.); Middle English -el,Old English -il (diminutive); Middle English -el,Old English -ol, -ul (agent)

Other definitions for -le (2 of 2)

l.e.

abbreviation Football.

left end.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use -le in a sentence

Le Femme Finishing School helps transwomen find their inner beauty, no matter their age.
Inside A Finishing School for Transwomen|Sharon Adarlo|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Check out Le Marais, one of the oldest quarters of the city, where gay-friendly establishments line the winding cobbled lanes.
The Ultimate LGBT Travel Bucket List||December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, heat the butter in a medium heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset.
Make These Barefoot Contessa Chicken Pot Pies|Ina Garten|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The composite photo whose eyes follow you around the room are less Matthew Lewis or Sheridan Le Fanu than “Scooby-Doo.”
An Ivy League Frat Boy’s Shallow Repentance|Stefan Beck|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Richardson placed the small, black and white image next to Le Repos, a large-scale painting of Olga rendered in 1932.
Revealing The Unseen Picasso|Justin Jones|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I am afraid, Monsieur le Marquis, that I shall be interfering with your arrangements?
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
Eustache le Sueur died; one of the best French historical painters of his time.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Rene le Pays, a French poet, died; well known at court by his miscellanies.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Je m'attendois cela, qu'on le nous apporteroit; mais on n'en faisoit rien.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
On estoit sur le poinct de faire tabagie ou convive solemnel sur son dernier adieu.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various

British Dictionary definitions for -le (1 of 2)

abbreviation for

lupus erythematosus

British Dictionary definitions for -le (2 of 2)

-le

suffix forming verbs

denoting repeated or continuous action, often of a diminutive naturetwiddle; wriggle; wrestle

Word Origin for -le

from Middle English -len, Old English -lian, with similar significance

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