suffix

American  

[suhf-iks, suhf-iks, suh-fiks] / ˈsʌf ɪks, ˈsʌf ɪks, səˈfɪks /

noun

1. Grammar. an affix that follows the element to which it is added, as -ly in kindly.

2. something added to the end of something else.

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verb (used with object)

1. Grammar. to add as a suffix.

2. to affix at the end of something.

3. to fix or put under.

verb (used without object)

Grammar.

1. to admit a suffix.

2. to add a suffix.

suffix British  

/ ˈsʌfɪksəl, sʌˈfɪkʃən /

noun

1. grammar an affix that follows the stem to which it is attached, as for example -s and -ness in dogs and softness Compare prefix

2. anything that is added at the end of something else

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verb

1. (tr) grammar to add (a morpheme) as a suffix to the end of a word

2. (tr) to add (something) at the end of a sentence, comment, or piece of writing

suffix Cultural  

1. A letter or a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning. For example, adding the suffix -ter to the adjective hot turns it into the comparative adjective hotter, and adding the suffix -ly to the adjective quick turns it into the adverb quickly. Other examples of words with suffixes are: “will ing,” “manage ment,” “service able,” “harmon ize,” and “joy ful.” (Compare prefix.)

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Usage

What does suffix mean? A suffix is a letter or group of letters placed at the end of a word to create a new word. For example, you can add the suffix -y to sleep to make sleepy or the suffix -er to loud to make louder. Suffixes are a handy tool of grammar that allows you to make a new word with a meaning that is closely related to the word the suffix is being attached to. Suffixes sometimes change the part of speech of the words they are added to. The verb create, for example, becomes the noun creation when you add the suffix -tion to it. To make create an adjective, you’d add the suffix -ive to make creative. Sometimes, a suffix changes the meaning of the word it is attached to. For example, the word defense means protection, but if you add the suffix -less, you end up with the adjective defenseless, which means unprotected.

Other Word Forms

• suffixal adjective
• suffixation noun
• suffixion noun
• unsuffixed adjective

Etymology

Origin of suffix

First recorded in 1595–1605; from New Latin suffixum, noun use of neuter of Latin suffixus, past participle of suffīgere “to attach on top of ,” equivalent to suf- suf- + fīgere “to fasten”; fix

Explanation

In linguistics, the suffix is part of the word that's added onto the end, like the -ish in foolish. When a suffix is added to a word, it changes the form, like when adding the suffix -y turns the noun soap into the adjective soapy. You can also use suffix as a verb. If you suffix the word cake with -less, you end up cakeless, which is pretty sad, especially if it's your birthday.

Example Sentences

PS: The Nightshade suffix refers to an exterior trim grade that bundles together the blacked-out grille, badging, 20-inch wheels, mirror caps, door handles, roof pillars and lower rear bumper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

For those of you who did not grow up in Yiddish-infused households, let me briefly explain: the suffix -eleh is a diminutive term of affection.

From Salon • Sep. 29, 2024

The moniker is a play on the creature's cartoonishly wide-eyed face and is derived from a mashup of the words "Kermit" and the Greek suffix "-ops," which means face.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2024

The name combines “Kermit” and the Greek suffix “-ops,” which means face.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2024

NOTE.—The suffix -ac is found only in Latin derivatives of Greek origin.

From New Word-Analysis by William Swinton