Common Suffixes and Their Meanings

Front

-ful

Back

full of (e.g., helpful, joyful, thankful)

Front

-less

Back

without (e.g., hopeless, fearless, tireless)

Front

-ness

Back

state of being (e.g., kindness, darkness, sickness)

Front

-ly

Back

in the manner of (e.g., quickly, happily, slowly)

Front

-able / -ible

Back

capable of (e.g., readable, visible, breakable)

Front

-ment

Back

action or result (e.g., movement, punishment, agreement)

Front

-er / -or

Back

one who (e.g., teacher, actor, singer)

Front

-tion / -sion

Back

state or act of (e.g., creation, explosion, decision)

Front

-ist

Back

person who does (e.g., artist, scientist, pianist)

Front

-ous / -ious

Back

full of (e.g., curious, gracious, dangerous)