This post will teach you everything you need to know about the suffix y. Learning suffixes and prefixes is a great way to increase your English vocabulary. The suffix y is used in many English adjectives, and a few nouns and new words are invented by native speakers all the time. The new words are made by adding the suffix y to the end of words we already know.
In adjectives , the suffix y means full of something or having the quality of something. (Often used with nouns )
Dusty means having lots of dust; Healthy means having the quality of health.
It can also mean that something is likely to happen. (Often with verbs)
Sticky means that something is likely to stick.
Learn fast with 60 Words With The Suffix Y with real example sentences in this post. Plus a free Words with the Suffix Y PDF download so you can study offline anytime. Keep reading.
The suffix y is commonly used to make adjectives from nouns and verbs .
Noun – Dirt + y = dirty
Verb – Run + y = runny
It can also be used to make nouns like the word inquiry which comes from the verb inquire.
Verb – Inquire + y = inquiry
| Dirt [noun] “My boots are covered in dirt.” | Dirty [adjective] “My boots are dirty.” |
| Run [verb] “Water was running down the window.” | Runny [adjective] “These eggs are too runny. I will send them back.” |
| Inquire [verb] “Several people inquired about the new job.” | Inquiry [noun] “There will be a public inquiry into government overspending.” |
*Inquire (and inquiry) is the American spelling. In the U.K. they are written enquire and enquiry.
Airy – Open to a free current of air; exposed to the air
Ashy – This word is often used to describe someone’s complexion or skin color to be pale or unhealthy.
Bulky – Big but in an awkward way
Cheesy – Having a strong cheese flavor.
Also being too dramatic or emotional
“I didn’t like the movie, the ending was kind of cheesy.”
Dreamy – This is often used to mean handsome or attractive
Dusty – Covered with dust
Earthy – Like soil or the earth
Edgy – Often used to describe something that is on the edge between acceptable and offensive.
NEWS – Demi Lovato Releases Edgy Single ‘Skin Of My Teeth‘ LINK
Faulty – Having or displaying faults; not perfect; not adequate or acceptable
| The word acceptable is made by adding the suffix -able to ACCEPT. Do a deep dive into this suffix at my blog post – 32 Common Examples of the Suffix ~ABLE (With Definitions) |
Flowery – This adjective can mean covered or decorated with flowers.
It can also be used to describe writing or speech that is elaborate using many expressions and phrases. Often used in a negative way.
Foggy – Having lots of fog
Frosty – Of a thing, having frost on it. Of the temperature, cold
| The word humorous is made by adding the suffix -ous to HUMOR. Do a deep dive into this suffix at my blog post – 50 ways the suffix ~OUS can Increase your vocabulary (Free PDF) |
Is funny an adjective?
Yes. Funny is an adjective. Like all adjectives, funny can be used in the comparative and superlative forms. Funnier and Funniest.
Strange or odd; not right
My furry friend.
Grainy – Coarsely ground or gritty. Often used to describe images/photos that are not clear.
Gravelly – Full of, covered with, or similar to gravel or pebbles.
The Suffix Able – 32 Real Examples (PDF wordlist + Video)
https://worldenglishblog.com/examples-of-the-suffix-able/
How do you use the Suffix -al? (Examples, Free PDF, Video)
https://worldenglishblog.com/the-suffix-al/
The Suffix -ship (31 Example Sentences PLUS Video)
https://worldenglishblog.com/the-suffix-ship/
Greedy – Having greed; consumed by selfish desires.
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Grimy – Full of or covered with grime (dirt)
Grouchy – easily upset; angry; tending to complain
Hairy – Covered with hair
Hasty – Acting with haste, quickly
Hazy – Thick or obscured with haze (Haze is small particles of dirt, dust or moisture in the air that make it difficult to see.)
Healthy – Having good health
Fresh vegetables are healthy.
Juicy – Having lots of juice
Lazy – Not willing to do work or make an effort (From the verb LAZE)
Loony – Crazy or very silly
Lucky – Having luck, being fortunate
Learn more “LUCKY“ expressions at my blog post >> Idioms with LUCK – Do you know all 20? (PDF download)
Milky – Resembling milk in color, consistency, smell, etc.; consisting of milk
Nosy/nosey – Prying, inquisitive or curious about other people’s business
Oily – Covered with or containing oil
Purply – Being slightly purple or having a purple hue
Raggedy – (For clothes) Torn, ripped, or ragged. (Like rags)
Ratty – In poor condition or repair
Learn more Idioms and Expressions with rats and mice at my blog post here: 10 Common Idioms with Rats and Mice (Real example sentences)
Rocky – Having lots of rocks, being full of rocks
Shady – (Of an area) Being protected from the sun
(Of a person) Not trustworthy
Soapy – Like soap, covered in soap, or full of soap
Or suitable for sports
Spotty – Having spots Or of inconsistent quality
Wavy – Having wave-like shapes on its border or surface; waved
Witty – Full of wit; Clever and having a sharp mind; Funny
Did you know?
The adjective happy comes from the old English noun hap which means – Happenings; events; goings-on. It was used to mean luck, chance, or fortune.
The Suffix -y is used to make adjectives the same way as the Suffix -ish. You can learn more here: Your complete guide to the Suffix -ISH (Quiz/worksheet)
Cloudy – Covered with clouds
OR Not transparent or clear
Snowy – Covered with snow
Stormy – Relating to storms or storm conditions
Sunny – With a lot of bright light from the sun
Peppery – Having a pepper flavor; A little spicy
Tangy – Having a sharp, pungent flavor
Tasty – Having a pleasant or satisfying flavor; delicious
Salty – Having salt; tasting of salt
Savory – Having a pleasant taste or smell; Tasting of salt
Spicy – Of, or containing spice
Vinegary – Sour; like vinegar
Yummy – A childish or lighthearted way to say delicious
Zesty – Having a piquant or pungent taste; spicy
Having the taste of a particular food or ingredient
Chocolaty – Containing chocolate or having the taste of chocolate
My students often ask me about the pronunciation of dessert compared to the word desert. I wrote a blog post to help students to understand the difference. You can read it here: Dessert vs Desert – Pronounce these words CORRECTLY(Audio)
Lemony – Resembling or characteristic of lemons, especially in terms of aroma, taste, or color
Sugary – Of food, drink, etc, containing or covered with a large amount of sugar
We learned at the top of this post that the verb inquire becomes the noun inquiry by adding the suffix -y.
The suffix -y can also be used to make abstract nouns of state, condition, or quality.
modest + -y → modesty
– A new report says that modesty can lead to longer happiness.
| Happiness comes from combining the adjective happy with the suffix -NESS. Do a deep dive into this suffix at my blog post – Use the suffix -NESS to increase your English vocabulary (Fast) |
honest + -y → honesty
– We need courage and honesty to really change ourselves.
difficult + -y → difficulty
– In high school, I had great difficulty with advanced math. I stayed after class for extra help.
Which word ending I’m the Suffix -Y do you want to use first? Did I miss any other Suffix -Y words? Tell me in the comments!
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