Suffixes

A suffix is a group of letters that is added to the end of a word to create another word.

Most common suffixes are set solid with the preceding word:

Nouns Verbs Adjectives Adverbs
-al     refusal -ate     hyphenate -al     autumnal -ly     bravely
-ation     damnation -en     soften -ful     hateful     -ward     homeward
-dom     freedom -ify     solidify -less     wordless     -wise     clockwise
-ment     enlargement -ise     advertise -ive     deliberative       
-ness     steepness       -ous     bulbous       
-ship     mateship       -(e)y     tasty  
-type     archetype      

Exceptions for hyphens with suffixes

A few suffixes use hyphens in particular combinations:

threefold     fivefold   but   3-fold     25-fold [when combined with numerals]

countrywide     statewide     worldwide   but   Australia-wide     Brisbane-wide [when combined with place names]

airborne     foodborne     waterborne   but   vector-borne     mosquito-borne [when less familiar]

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