-ious

American  

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

---

-ious British  

suffix

1. characterized by or full of Compare -eous

   ambitious

   religious

   suspicious

---

Etymology

Origin of -ious

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

Example Sentences

For the fourth time in two years, Armistice told investors who want to cash out that much of their money would likely be returned in the form of what are essentially IOUs, people familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many governments sell bonds - essentially IOUs - to raise money for public spending and in return they pay interest.

From BBC

Should the newcomer win, he will first be offered the IOUs as payment—as the longtime members see this as a happy way to realize the worthless debt.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Bank of England buys bonds - essentially long term IOUs - from the UK government and corporations to increase bond prices and reduce longer term interest rates.

From BBC

Governments sell bonds - essentially IOUs - to borrow money from financial markets and in return they pay interest.

From BBC