ESL Inventory

Noun Suffixes: Examples & Exercises

Noun suffixes can be fun to study, if you let your imagination fly… Try out this quiz and make sure you don’t click on words that don’t exist!

EXERCISE: Noun Suffixes (Round 1)

Choose the correct word to fill the gaps. Be careful, some words don’t even exist…

1 / 10

The __________ gave an inspiring speech about leadership and courage, she’s a great leader.

2 / 10

His __________ in solving complex problems impressed the entire team.

3 / 10

His __________ made him a trustworthy friend.

4 / 10

They formed a strong __________ that lasted throughout their lives.

5 / 10

The __________ of the event was carefully planned months in advance.

6 / 10

She is a talented __________ who has painted many beautiful landscapes.

7 / 10

The __________ showed signs of improvement after the new medication.

8 / 10

The country gained its __________ after years of struggle

9 / 10

The __________ explained the theory of evolution in detail.

10 / 10

Her __________ towards strangers always leaves a positive impression.

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Was this too hard? Study the article below and do the exercises at the bottom of the page.

These noun suffixes are used to turn words into nouns

Noun Suffixes Categories

There are so many noun suffixes that is possible to divide them into the following categories:

Agent/Doer

  • -er/-or (person who does an action): teacher, actor, writer, director
  • -ist (person who practices or is concerned with something): artist, scientist, pianist, journalist
  • -ant/-ent (one who): assistant, student, contestant
  • -ian/-an (related to, belonging to): musician, historian, guardian
  • -ee (the receiver of an action): employee, interviewee, trainee, absentee
  • -smith someone who makes things out of metal: goldsmith, gunsmith, blacksmith

Abstract nouns (States, Qualities, Conditions)

  • -ness (state of): happiness, kindness, darkness
  • -ity/-ty (quality of): creativity, flexibility, honesty, cruelty
  • -ence/-ance (state or condition): persistence, resistance, guidance, reliance
  • -hood (state, condition, or quality): childhood, brotherhood, neighborhood
  • -dom (state or condition, domain): freedom, kingdom, wisdom
  • -cy (state or quality): accuracy, presidency, privacy
  • -ism (belief, practice): realism, optimism, socialism, capitalism

Result of an Action/Process

  • -ment (action or result): achievement, movement, treatment, development
  • -tion/-sion (action or state): celebration, education, creation, admission, tension
  • -age (result of): storage, wreckage, mileage

Material / Goods / Product Types

  • -ware articles of a particular material or use: hardware, silverware, kitchenware
  • -work objects or things made by working a material: woodwork, needlework
  • -craft objects or vehicles made for a particular purpose: aircraft, watercraft
  • -wear clothing kind: sportswear, footwear, knitwear, outerwear
  • -piece individual item of a set or object type: showpiece, centerpiece, masterpiece
  • -works place or collective products of manufacture: gasworks, steelworks

Diminutives

  • -let (small): booklet, droplet, leaflet
  • -ette (small, feminine): kitchenette, cigarette, cassette
  • -kin (small or diminutive): lambkin, napkin, manikin

Places and Roles

  • -ary (connected with, pertaining to): library, missionary, dictionary
  • -ship (position held): friendship, leadership, partnership
  • -ology (study of): biology, psychology, geology
  • -ist (one who specializes in): biologist, psychologist, artist

Scientific/Technical Noun Suffixes

  • -graph (instrument for recording): autograph, photograph, seismograph
  • -logy (study of): biology, zoology, technology
  • -phobia (fear of): arachnophobia, claustrophobia, xenophobia
  • -scope (instrument for viewing): microscope, telescope, stethoscope
  • -meter (device for measuring): thermometer, barometer, speedometer
  • -itis (inflammation or disease): arthritis, bronchitis, tonsillitis
  • -osis (disease or condition): psychosis, neurosis, scoliosis
  • -pathy (disease or suffering): neuropathy, cardiopathy, sympathy
  • -emia (related to blood): anemia, leukemia, hypoglycemia
  • -oma (tumor, swelling): carcinoma, melanoma, glaucoma

Social/Political/Belief Noun Suffixes

  • -ism (belief, practice): socialism, capitalism, realism, feminism
  • -ist (person practicing or concerned with): communist, environmentalist, artist
  • -archy (rule or government): monarchy, anarchy, hierarchy
  • -cracy (government or rule): democracy, bureaucracy, theocracy

Exercises on Noun Suffixes

EXERCISE: Noun Suffixes (Round 2)

Choose the correct word to fill the gaps. Be careful, some words don’t even exist…

1 / 10

The __________ was thrilled to receive the prestigious award.

2 / 10

The company hired a new __________ to manage the marketing department.

3 / 10

The __________ helped us see distant stars clearly.

4 / 10

We studied various forms of __________ in our philosophy class.

5 / 10

He suffers from __________, which makes it difficult for him to breathe.

6 / 10

The __________ of the product helped attract more customers.

7 / 10

He handed me a small __________ with instructions printed on it

8 / 10

Their __________ in difficult times strengthened their bond.

9 / 10

His __________ for detail ensured the project was flawless.

10 / 10

The __________ was responsible for maintaining order during the event, a lot of work for one person.

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EXERCISE: Noun Suffixes (Round2)

Choose the correct word to fill the gaps. Be careful, some words don’t even exist…

1 / 10

The rescuers searched through the _____ of the crashed plane.

2 / 10

They carried out a full _____.

3 / 10

His _____ was hard to believe.

4 / 10

He made an important _____.

5 / 10

They had a happy _____ .

6 / 10

This _____ is not acceptable.

7 / 10

Many _____ believe we must reduce plastic use to save our oceans.

8 / 10

His _____ to stress was remarkable.

9 / 10

The _____ of the monument took years.

10 / 10

The company improved under his _____ .

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EXERCISE: Noun Suffixes – Fill the gaps

Fill the gaps by forming the correct noun. Use the word given.

Example: ______  makes life more meaningful and enjoyable.

Find a noun of friend that makes sense in the sentence

Answer: friendship

1 / 10

She showed great during the crisis.

Find a noun of brave that make sense in the sentence.

2 / 10

People often ask their grandparents for advice because of their .

Find a noun of wise that makes sense in the sentence.

3 / 10

There was a lot of in the air.

Find a noun of tense that makes sense in the sentence.

4 / 10

They formed a strong .

Find a noun of partner that makes sense in the sentence.

5 / 10

He had a strong to win.

Find a noun of motivate that makes sense in the sentence.

6 / 10

He works as a shop in a clothing store.

Find a noun of assist that makes sense in the sentence.

7 / 10

can make someone’s day much better.

Find a noun of kind that makes sense in the sentence.

8 / 10

Many people worry about their when using social media.

Find a noun of private that makes sense in the sentence.

9 / 10

We made a quick .

Find a noun of decide that makes sense in the sentence.

10 / 10

Their was impressive.

Find a noun of perform that makes sense in the sentence.

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Feels like diving into more?

Verb Suffixes
Adjective Suffixes
Adverb Suffixes
Prefixes