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

Example Sentences

It comes from the Welsh pwdu, meaning to sulk, which itself originated with the English word pout, combined with the Welsh verb-forming suffix -u.

From BBC

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

She closely reads passages from their textbooks, breaks apart prefixes and suffixes and identifies root words.

From Los Angeles Times

The word “logic” comes from the Greek term “logos” which is the root for our suffix -ology.

From Salon

And because Jefferson's original moniker was spelled as Megalonyx, any other subsequent spellings of the name, like some that utilize the -onix suffix, are incorrect.

From Science Daily