suffix -ish

Meanings

1. 1suffix

   Added to nouns to make adjectives meaning having the qualities of that person or thing.

   Grammar: Attaches to a noun to form an adjective: child + ish → childish.

   Patterns

   • noun + -ish
   • a -ish person

   His behavior was childish for a man of forty.

   She has a stylish, slightly Spanish-ish look.

2. 2suffix

   Added to adjectives to mean fairly or rather, often suggesting something is not completely so.

   Grammar: Attaches to an adjective to form another adjective: red + ish → reddish.

   Patterns

   • adjective + -ish
   • rather -ish

   The sky turned a reddish color at sunset.

   He seemed a little tired-ish after the long trip.

3. 3suffixinformal

   Added to times, ages, and numbers to mean approximately or about.

   Grammar: Attaches to a number or time word to form an adjective or adverb: six + ish → sixish.

   Patterns

   • time + -ish
   • number + -ish

   Let's meet at sixish, after work.

   She's fortyish but looks much younger.

Common combinations

childish behavior

Stop the childish behavior and act your age.

reddish brown

The leaves turned a reddish brown in October.

at sixish

I'll call you at sixish to confirm dinner.

fortyish

The new manager is fortyish and very experienced.

Synonyms and how they differ

-like

Means 'similar to' without the negative tone: childlike is usually approving, while childish is critical.

-y

Also means 'having the quality of', but it is more direct: a dirty shirt is simply dirty, not slightly dirty.

Commonly confused: suffix -ish or -ist?

Practice

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