-ment

Save This Word!

a suffix of nouns, often concrete, denoting an action or resulting state (abridgment; refreshment), a product (fragment), or means (ornament).

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of -ment

<French <Latin -mentum, suffix forming nouns, usually from verbs

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

How to use -ment in a sentence

If it weren't for them blamed gov'-ment inspectors, I'd sure put a spoke in his wheel.
The Shepherd of the Hills|Harold Bell Wright
He'd sure have him persecuted fer 'sultin' a gov'ment servant when th' inspector come around.
The Shepherd of the Hills|Harold Bell Wright
The 'Merrikin gov'ment will never give him up, ven vunce they find as he's got money to spend, Sammy.
The Pickwick Papers|Charles Dickens
Nous avons du sang franais dans nos artres, et le sang franais ne ment pas!
The Wasted Generation|Owen Johnson

The earliest settle ment was a town covering at least five acres, possibly nearly ten.
The New Stone Age in Northern Europe|John M. Tyler

British Dictionary definitions for -ment

-ment

suffix forming nouns

indicating state, condition, or qualityenjoyment

indicating the result or product of an actionembankment

indicating process or actionmanagement

Word Origin for -ment

from French, from Latin -mentum

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