suffix

[ noun suhf-iks; verb suhf-iks, suh-fiks ]
/ noun ˈsʌf ɪks; verb ˈsʌf ɪks, səˈfɪks /

noun

Grammar. an affix that follows the element to which it is added, as -ly in kindly.
something added to the end of something else.

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object) Grammar.

to admit a suffix.
to add a suffix.

Origin of suffix

1595–1605; < New Latin suffixum, noun use of neuter of Latin suffixus (past participle of suffīgere to attach on top of), equivalent to suf- suf- + fixus (see fix)

OTHER WORDS FROM suffix

suf·fix·al [suhf-ik-suh l, suh-fik-] /ˈsʌf ɪk səl, səˈfɪk-/, adjective suf·fix·a·tion [suhf-ik-sey-shuh n] /ˌsʌf ɪkˈseɪ ʃən/, suf·fix·ion [suh-fik-shuh n] /səˈfɪk ʃən/, noun un·suf·fixed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for suffix

British Dictionary definitions for suffix

suffix

noun (ˈsʌfɪks)

grammar an affix that follows the stem to which it is attached, as for example -s and -ness in dogs and softness Compare prefix (def. 1)
anything that is added at the end of something else

verb (ˈsʌfɪks, səˈfɪks)

(tr) grammar to add (a morpheme) as a suffix to the end of a word
(tr) to add (something) at the end of a sentence, comment, or piece of writing

Derived forms of suffix

suffixal (ˈsʌfɪksəl), adjective suffixion (sʌˈfɪkʃən), noun

Word Origin for suffix

C18: from New Latin suffixum, from Latin suffixus fastened below, from suffīgere, from sub- + fīgere to fasten

Cultural definitions for suffix

suffix

A letter or a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning. For example, adding the suffix -ter to the adjective hot turns it into the comparative adjective hotter, and adding the suffix -ly to the adjective quick turns it into the adverb quickly. Other examples of words with suffixes are: “willing,” “management,” “serviceable,” “harmonize,” and “joyful.” (Compare prefix.)