noun / verb

suffix

SUF-iks/ˈsʌfɪks/

An element added to the end of a word, or the act of adding one.

Adding the suffix s changes cat into cats.

A physical word-building example: a wooden tile bearing “s” fits onto the right end of a tile bearing “cat,” forming “cats.” The added ending is distinguished by a restrained color wash.

Etymology

The pieces express “fasten below.” A noun meaning something fastened on became a grammatical term for an element attached specifically to the end of a word or stem.

In context

Voices of Ancient Egypt0:31

They're called suffix pronouns because they attach to the end of the word that is owned or possessed, so in "her house" for example we see per for "house" and then s attached to the end of it

Hieroglyphic Pronouns [hieroglyph-a-day in 4K]

More examples

To make 'quick' an adverb, we suffix '-ly'.
Many job titles, including 'teacher', end with the suffix '-er'.
The words 'cats' and 'dogs' share the plural suffix '-s'.

Forms

suffix · suffixes · suffixed · suffixing

suffixation noun — Adding an element to a word's end.

Similar words

affix: An element attached anywhere, not only at a word's end.
ending: Any final word segment, not necessarily an added element.
append: Means add at the end, not specifically to words.