Words with the suffix -ity
-ity means “state, quality, or condition of”, from Latin -itas, -itatis via Old French -ité. It makes a word into a noun.
15 examples of the suffix -ity
- activityactive + -itystate of being active
- abilityable + -ityquality of being able
- realityreal + -ityquality of being real
- equalityequal + -itycondition of being equal
- uritypure + -ityquality of being pure
- puritypure + -ityquality of being pure
- clarityclear + -ityquality of being clear
- securitysecure + -itycondition of being secure
- humidityhumid + -ityquality of being humid
- creativitycreative + -ityquality of being creative
- complexitycomplex + -itycondition of being complex
- sensitivitysensitive + -ityquality of being sensitive
- electricityelectric + -itycondition of being electric
- authenticityauthentic + -ityquality of being authentic
- incompatibilityincompatible + -itystate of being incompatible
How -ity works
The suffix -ity converts adjectives into nouns denoting a state or quality, often with spelling adjustments such as dropping a final silent -e (pure → purity, secure → security) or shifting stress. It derives from Latin -itas and appears in many learned or technical words borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
Watch out: Words like 'city,' 'pity,' and 'deity' end in -ity but do not contain the suffix attached to a living English base; they entered English as whole words from Latin or French.
To see suffixes combine with other parts, try the word dissector and root builder, or test yourself in the vocabulary quiz.
Other common suffixes
- -able · capable of
- -ible · capable of
- -tion · act
- -ness · state
- -ly · in a specified manner
- -er · one who performs an action
- -ment · result
- -ful · full of
- -less · without
- -ous · having the quality of
- -ism · doctrine
- -ist · one who practices or believes in
- -ize · to make or cause to become
- -al · of
- -ance · action
- -ence · action
- -ive · tending to
- -ship · state
Questions people ask
What does the suffix -ity mean?
-ity means “state, quality, or condition of”. It comes from Latin -itas, -itatis via Old French -ité. The suffix -ity converts adjectives into nouns denoting a state or quality, often with spelling adjustments such as dropping a final silent -e (pure → purity, secure → security) or shifting stress. It derives from Latin -itas and appears in many learned or technical words borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
What are some examples of words with the suffix -ity?
activity, ability, reality, equality, urity, purity, clarity, security. The full list of 15 examples, with what each one literally means, is above.
Which words look like they have the suffix -ity but don’t?
Words like 'city,' 'pity,' and 'deity' end in -ity but do not contain the suffix attached to a living English base; they entered English as whole words from Latin or French.
What is a suffix?
A suffix is a word part added to the end of a word. It often changes the part of speech: -ness turns the adjective kind into the noun kindness, and -ly turns quick into the adverb quickly.