ADJECTIVE SUFFIXES [ADJECTIVE FORMATION]

ADJECTIVE SUFFIXES

Learn Common Adjective Suffixes in English.

Common Adjective Suffixes in English

-al, -ial, -ical -able, -ible -an, -ian -ary -full -ic -ive

-ish -less -like -y -ous, -ose -ant, -ent -ile

COMMON ADJECTIVE SUFFIXES IN ENGLISH

-al, -ial, -ical

Meaning:

Relating to, having the quality of

Examples:

Accidental, educational, brutal, historical, regional, social, universal, personal…

-able, -ible

Meaning:

Capable or worthy of, tending to

Examples:

Flammable, discernible, culpable…

-an, -ian

Meaning:

One who is or does, related to

Examples:

Agrarian, simian…

-ary

Meaning:

Relating to quality or place

Examples:

Customary, momentary, cautionary, dietary…

-full

Meaning:

Full of, tending or liable to

Examples:

Beautiful, wonderful, awful, skillful, successful…

-ic

Meaning:

Pertaining or relating to

Examples:

Athletic, historical, scenic, fantastic…

-ive

Meaning:

Performing or tending toward

Examples:

Cooperative, supportive, sensitive…

-ish

Meaning:

Origin, nature

Examples:

Foolish, childish, selfish, sheepish, pinkish…

-less

Meaning:

Without, lacking, unable to act

Examples:

Powerless, friendless, worthless, useless, homeless…

-like

Meaning:

Like

Examples:

Lifelike, ladylike, warlike, childlike, birdlike…

-y

Meaning:

Characterized by, tending to

Examples:

Rainy, funny, dirty, messy, dirty…

-ous, -ose

Meaning:

Full of, relating to

Examples:

Poisonous, dangerous, nervous, mysterious, victorious, bellicose…

-ant, -ent

Meaning:

Performing or being

Examples:

Important, incessant, independent…

-ile

Meaning:

Tending to, capable of

Examples:

Futile, senile, fragile…