A good ending helps.
Ten word endings that carry useful clues.
Ten questions, with the answers explained. Try them in your head, then open each answer when you're ready.
Play this quiz →QUESTION 1 / 10
What does the suffix -less mean in careless?
- Before
- Full of
- Without
- Able to be
Show answer & explanation+
Without
Careless means lacking care or attention.
QUESTION 2 / 10
What does the suffix -ful mean in hopeful?
- Without
- Against
- Full of
- Under
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Full of
Hopeful describes someone full of hope or expecting a good outcome.
QUESTION 3 / 10
What does the suffix -able mean in washable?
- Without
- Twice
- Formerly
- Capable of being
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Capable of being
Something washable can be washed without being ruined in the intended conditions.
QUESTION 4 / 10
What does the suffix -ness mean in kindness?
- A state or quality
- An action done again
- A place
- A person doing a job
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A state or quality
Kindness names the quality of being kind.
QUESTION 5 / 10
What does the suffix -er mean in teacher?
- A smaller version
- A person who does something
- The opposite
- A state of mind
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A person who does something
A teacher is a person who teaches.
QUESTION 6 / 10
What does the suffix -hood mean in childhood?
- An imitation
- A state or period of life
- A tool
- A direction
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A state or period of life
Childhood is the period of being a child.
QUESTION 7 / 10
What does the suffix -ship mean in friendship?
- A repeated action
- A relationship or condition
- A vehicle only
- A size
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A relationship or condition
Friendship names the relationship between friends.
QUESTION 8 / 10
What does the suffix -ment mean in movement?
- A color
- A person
- An action or its result
- An opposite
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An action or its result
Movement names the act or result of moving.
QUESTION 9 / 10
What does the suffix -ly mean in quickly?
- Too much
- In the manner described
- Before
- Without
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In the manner described
Quickly tells how an action happens: in a quick way.
QUESTION 10 / 10
What does the suffix -ize mean in nationalize?
- A person who
- Without
- Make or become
- A small version
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Make or become
The suffix -ize often forms a verb meaning to make or become something.