Words with the suffix -ize
-ize means “to make or cause to become; to subject to”, from Greek -izein via Latin -izare. It makes a word into a verb.
15 examples of the suffix -ize
- modernizemodern + -izemake modern
- organizeorgan + -izegive orderly structure to
- realizereal + -izemake real or actual
- legalizelegal + -izemake legal
- finalizefinal + -izemake final or complete
- memorizememory + -izecommit to memory
- sanitizesanity + -izemake clean or sanitary
- minimizeminimum + -izemake as small as possible
- symbolizesymbol + -izeserve as a symbol of
- prioritizepriority + -izetreat as most important
- capitalizecapital + -izeconvert into capital
- neutralizeneutral + -izemake neutral or ineffective
- characterizecharacter + -izedescribe distinctive qualities of
- immortalizeimmortal + -izecause to be remembered forever
- decriminalizecriminal + -izemake no longer criminal
How -ize works
The suffix '-ize' converts adjectives and nouns into verbs meaning 'to make or cause to become,' often dropping a final silent 'e' or 'y' (memory → memorize) before the suffix. British English frequently spells this suffix '-ise,' but both forms are accepted; '-ize' is the standard American and etymologically Greek-rooted spelling.
Watch out: Words like 'size,' 'prize,' and 'capsize' end in '-ize' but do not contain the suffix; 'size' and 'prize' are root words in their own right, and 'capsize' comes from a nautical term of uncertain origin.
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
- -ity · state
- -ism · doctrine
- -ist · one who practices or believes in
- -al · of
- -ance · action
- -ence · action
- -ive · tending to
- -ship · state
Questions people ask
What does the suffix -ize mean?
-ize means “to make or cause to become; to subject to”. It comes from Greek -izein via Latin -izare. The suffix '-ize' converts adjectives and nouns into verbs meaning 'to make or cause to become,' often dropping a final silent 'e' or 'y' (memory → memorize) before the suffix. British English frequently spells this suffix '-ise,' but both forms are accepted; '-ize' is the standard American and etymologically Greek-rooted spelling.
What are some examples of words with the suffix -ize?
modernize, organize, realize, legalize, finalize, memorize, sanitize, minimize. The full list of 15 examples, with what each one literally means, is above.
Which words look like they have the suffix -ize but don’t?
Words like 'size,' 'prize,' and 'capsize' end in '-ize' but do not contain the suffix; 'size' and 'prize' are root words in their own right, and 'capsize' comes from a nautical term of uncertain origin.
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.