Suffixes are letter groups that are added to the end of a base word or root. Learning the meaning of these word parts, together with the meaning of common base words and Greek and Latin roots, will give you the key for unlocking the meanings of hundreds of words.

One word may often be changed to form several different related words, which have similar meanings, even though they usually function as different parts of speech. For example, the word real (an adjective) can form reality (a noun), really (an adverb), realize, realization (another noun).

Suffixes That Form Nouns

-ance, -ancy insure, truant insurance, truancy

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Suffixes That Form Adjectives

-able, -ible wash, reverse washable, reversible

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Suffixes That Form Verbs

-ate valid validate

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Suffix That Form Adverbs

-ly rapid rapidly