Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

-ety

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.40 in modern English

Syllables
-e-ty
IPA
6
Scrabble Score
3
Letters
3
Syllables
3
Unique Chars

Meaning

suffix

Added to monosyllabic words, typically verbs or nouns, to form adjectives characteristic of the verb or noun.

suffix

Added to monosyllabic words, typically verbs or nouns, to form adjectives characteristic of the verb or noun.

suffix

Used to indicate qualities or states.

Example Sentences

Etymology

In some uses, apparently an alteration of -edy, as seen in jaggedy, raggedy, scaredy, etc.; equivalent to -ed + -y. The alteration of -d- to -t- is perhaps due to Scottish influence, where it is common for the past participle of Scots verbs to end in -et/-it rather than -ed as in English. In other usage, perhaps imitative of repeated action, equivalent to -et + -y. In any case, it is used almost exclusively in sound-symbolic or expressive words.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Inflected Forms

-edy (alternative) -iddy (alternative) -ity (alternative) -oty (alternative)

Phrases

-ity -ty

Frequently Paired Words

-ity -ty

Questions

What does -ety mean?
Added to monosyllabic words, typically verbs or nouns, to form adjectives characteristic of the verb or noun.
Where does -ety come from?
It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce -ety

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “-ety”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “-ety”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “-ety” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.