rhizoverbBeta
Latin · suffix

-osus

full of, having; characterized by

Forms

  • -osus
  • -ous — English ending developed through French.
  • -ose — A learned English form based on the Latin suffix.

Origin

Latin -osus, a suffix attached to nouns; its deeper formation is uncertain.

Note

Usually marks a characteristic, without requiring a literal abundance of anything.

Words sharing this root

acrimoniousBitter and harsh in tone or manner.adiposeFatty tissue in the body, or relating to it.ambidextrousEqually effective with either hand.ambitiousHaving or showing a strong aim to achieve something difficult.amorousShowing romantic or sexual desire.bellicoseEager to fight or argue.biliousAffected by or associated with bile.bituminousContaining, resembling, or relating to bitumen.bulbousHaving a rounded, swollen shape like a plant bulb.cadaverousSo pale and thin as to resemble a dead body.calamitousCausing or involving great disaster or distress.callousHardened and no longer sensitive.cartilaginousMade of or resembling cartilage.cavernousResembling a large, hollow cave.ceremoniousMarked by formal ritual or elaborate politeness.commodiousHaving plenty of space for comfortable use.conscientiousCareful to do what is right and fulfill responsibilities.contagiousReadily transmitted from one person to another.contentiousTending to provoke or engage in disagreement.copiousPresent in large amounts.deliciousVery pleasing, especially in taste.dubiousInvolving uncertainty or grounds for doubt.enviousWanting what someone else has, often with resentment.fabulousExisting in or resembling fables rather than reality.fabulousExceptionally impressive or wonderful.famousKnown by many people.fastidiousVery careful about meeting high standards.fibrousMade of or resembling threadlike strands.furiousDriven by intensely angry energy.generousReady to give freely beyond strict obligation.gloriousSplendid or worthy of great admiration.glutinousSticky and gummy in texture.graciousShowing kindness and consideration toward others.ignominiousDeserving or causing public shame and disgrace.imperiousDemanding obedience with overbearing authority.impetuousActing quickly without enough thought or care.industriousWorking hard and steadily.infamousWell known for something bad or disgraceful.ingeniousShowing cleverness in inventing or solving problems.injuriousCausing harm or damage.insidiousCausing harm gradually in a way that is hard to notice.jealousyFear of losing someone's affection or loyalty to a rival.jocosePlayfully humorous or joking.judiciousShowing careful, sound judgment.laboriousRequiring or showing much effort and time.lachrymoseSad and inclined to weep.lasciviousExpressing or arousing overt sexual desire.leprousAffected by or resembling leprosy.libidinousStrongly driven by sexual desire.licentiousDisregarding accepted moral limits, especially in sexual behavior.litigiousInclined toward or marked by lawsuits.lugubriousMournful or gloomy to an exaggerated degree.luminousShining with emitted or reflected light.maliciousIntended to harm or cause trouble.melodiousHaving a pleasant, tuneful sound.miraculousSo extraordinary or fortunate as to seem like a miracle.moroseUnhappy and bad-tempered.mucousRelating to or producing mucus.nebulousCloudlike or indistinct in form.nervousFeeling worried or uneasy.nitrousContaining nitrogen, especially in a lower oxidation state.nitrousNitrous oxide gas.numerousExisting in large numbers.obsequiousExcessively eager to please someone in authority.odiousExtremely unpleasant or deserving hatred.odorousHaving a noticeable smell, often unpleasant.officiousToo eager to offer unwanted help or tell others what to do.ominousSuggesting that something bad or threatening may happen.onerousDifficult to bear because of the effort or responsibility required.parlousFull of danger or risk.perfidiousDeliberately betraying trust or loyalty.perilousFull of danger or serious risk.perniciousCausing serious harm, especially gradually or subtly.piteousShowing suffering or distress in a way that arouses pity.pompousExaggeratedly grand or formal in a way that suggests self-importance.ponderousHeavy and slow or awkward in movement.populousHaving a large population.porousAllowing things to pass through openings or gaps.portentousSuggesting that something of great importance is about to happen.preciousHighly valued or cherished.preciousOverly delicate or refined in an artificial way.prodigiousExceptionally great in size, amount, or strength.raucousLoud and rough-sounding.religiousDevoted to sacred beliefs or practices.rigorousDemanding strict care and thorough effort.ruinousCausing severe damage or loss.sacrilegiousShowing disrespect toward something sacred or deeply revered.sagaciousHaving or showing wise practical judgment.scabrousRough and abrasive in texture.scandalousCausing outrage or strong disapproval by being disgraceful or unjust.scrupulousCareful about complying fully with relevant standards.seditiousEncouraging rebellion against government authority.spaciousHaving plenty of room or open space.speciousSeeming reasonable or true but actually misleading or false.squamousThin and flat like a scale.studiousShowing sustained careful attention to learning.sumptuousLuxurious and expensive-looking.superciliousBehaving as though better than other people.tediousBoring and tiring because it seems to go on too long.tempestuousTurbulent with violent storms.tortuousFollowing a course with many turns.torturousCausing extreme pain or distress.tumultuousMarked by intense disturbance or disorder.unctuousOily or greasy in texture.vaporousResembling vapor in lacking substance or clear form.varicoseAbnormally swollen and twisted, especially of veins.venousRelating to veins or the blood they carry toward the heart.verboseUsing more words or detail than necessary.viciousExtremely cruel, harmful, or morally bad.victoriousHaving won a contest or struggle.vigorousStrong and full of energy or force.virtuousMorally good or beneficial in its effects.viscosityA fluid's resistance to flowing.viscousThick, sticky, and resistant to flowing.voluminousVery large or full in size, amount, or extent.voluptuousRichly appealing to sensual pleasure.zealousShowing strong enthusiasm or devotion.