-ify

Meanings

1. 1suffix

   Used after a noun or adjective to build a verb that means to make something have that quality or to give it that character.

   Grammar: Attach it directly to the base word: pure + -ify → purify. The new verb is usually transitive, so it needs an object.

   Patterns

   • adjective/noun + -ify
   • -ify something
   • something is -ified

   Factories purify the water before it goes back into the river.

   The new paint will beautify the front of the school.

   A single phone call can clarify the whole situation.

2. 2suffix

   Used after a noun or adjective to build a verb that means to become that thing or to turn into it.

   Grammar: Verbs of this type can be used without an object when the subject itself changes: The liquid solidified.

   Patterns

   • adjective/noun + -ify
   • something -ifies
   • something -ified

   The melted wax solidified again as it cooled.

   Attitudes toward the issue have softened and, in some places, even liquefied into open debate.

   Over the winter the wet ground hardened and solidified.

3. 3suffixformal

   Used to form verbs that mean to put something into a stated group, place, or system, especially in technical and official writing.

   Grammar: Common in academic and business texts; the verb normally takes an object: classify the samples.

   Patterns

   • noun + -ify
   • -ify something as something
   • -ify something into something

   The lab classified the rocks by age and origin.

   We need to codify these rules so everyone follows the same process.

   The old paper records were digitified and stored online.

4. 4suffixinformalhumorous

   Used in informal new words to describe an action done in the style of a person, place, or thing.

   Grammar: These playful coinages are usually transitive and sound humorous; they are fine in speech or social media, less so in formal writing.

   Patterns

   • noun + -ify
   • -ify something
   • -ify yourself

   She spent the weekend Marie Kondo-ifying her whole apartment.

   They tried to Disneyify the old town square with cartoon statues.

   Stop trying to adultify every hobby I enjoy.

Common combinations

purify water

These tablets purify water when you are camping.

clarify a point

Could you clarify that point with a quick example?

simplify the process

We simplified the process so new staff learn it in a day.

beautify the neighborhood

Volunteers planted trees to beautify the neighborhood.

classify information

All classified information is kept in a locked room.

solidify a plan

The meeting helped solidify our plan for next year.

Synonyms and how they differ

-ize

Also forms verbs meaning 'make or become', but it is far more productive in modern English and is the usual choice for new technical words (modernize, computerize).

-en

Forms verbs of change too, but it usually attaches to adjectives of physical quality (widen, soften) rather than to nouns.

-ate

Builds change verbs mainly from Latin roots (activate, regulate) and rarely from everyday English nouns.

Word family

-ification suffix

Forms nouns for the action or result: purification, classification.

-ifier suffix

Forms nouns for a person or thing that does the action: humidifier, amplifier.

Commonly confused: -ify or -ify vs -ity? -ify or -ify vs -fy?

Practice

Make it your own

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

Explore more words