Meaning & use
suffix
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Meanings
nouncountable
A letter group fixed to the end of a word to form a new word or a different form of the same word.
Grammar: Countable: one suffix, two suffixes; contrast with a prefix at the front.
Patterns
- add a suffix to something
- the suffix -ness
- a word plus a suffix
Adding the suffix “-ful” turns “hope” into “hopeful.”
In Spanish class we marked the plural suffix on each noun.
nouncountablecomputing
In computing and file handling, an ending after a dot that identifies the file type.
Grammar: Often called a file extension; say “the suffix .pdf,” not “a pdf suffix.”
Patterns
- a file suffix
- rename the suffix
- the suffix .txt
The photo failed to open because its suffix was changed.
Save the document with the suffix .docx for class.
Word forms
| plural | suffixes |
|---|
Common combinations
- add a suffix
- Add a suffix to “happy” to make the noun “happiness.”
- common suffix
- “-ed” is a common suffix for the regular past tense.
- suffix -ly
- The suffix -ly often makes an adjective into an adverb.
- file suffix
- Check the file suffix before emailing the spreadsheet.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ending
- “Ending” is broader and everyday; “suffix” is the precise grammar term for a meaningful word ending.
- extension
- In computing, “extension” is the more usual term; “suffix” is understandable but slightly less standard for files.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: suffix or prefix? suffix or affix?
suffix vs prefix
A suffix goes at the end; a prefix goes at the beginning, like “re-” in “rewrite.”
suffix vs affix
“Affix” is the general term for prefixes and suffixes; a suffix is specifically an end attachment.
Practice
Which word is formed with a suffix?
Choose one answer.
“Happiness” adds the end suffix “-ness” to “happy.” “Unhappy,” “rewrite,” and “redo” use beginning prefixes: “un-” and “re-.”
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “suffix”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.