ible suffix

Meaning

1. 1suffix

   Added to a word root to make an adjective meaning able to be treated in a certain way or capable of something.

   Grammar: Attaches to a root, often of Latin origin: vis- becomes visible, aud- becomes audible.

   Patterns

   • root + -ible

   Visible means able to be seen, and edible means able to be eaten.

   The suffix -ible turns the root aud- into audible.

   Flexible comes from a root meaning to bend plus the suffix -ible.

Common combinations

visible

The mountain was visible from the window.

edible

Those berries are edible, but they taste bitter.

flexible

My schedule is flexible this week.

possible

Is it possible to reschedule the meeting?

incredible

The view from the top was incredible.

Synonyms and how they differ

-able

-able has the same meaning but is much more common and can be added to new English words, such as streamable, while -ible cannot.

Word family

-ibility suffix

makes a noun, as in possibility and flexibility

-ibly suffix

makes an adverb, as in visibly and incredibly

in- prefix

often added to make the opposite, as in invisible

Commonly confused: ible suffix or -able?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “ible suffix”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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