Diminutive Suffix: What, How, When, Where to Use, Structure, Several Facts

A suffix is a letter or multiple letters that change the meaning of a word when added at the end of said word. In this article we’re going to learn about Diminutive Suffixes.

A suffix that causes the root word’s meaning to change into something smaller, informal or endearing is a Diminutive Suffix.

In this article we’re going do have  deeper look into diminutive suffix examples as well as in-depth explanations to get a better understanding of the concept.

When to use diminutive suffix?

A diminutive suffix may be used when someone wants to contextualise the smallness of a certain being or object.

It can also be used to show a form of endearment toward someone.

Sentence Examples:-

Why to use diminutive suffix?

A diminutive suffix should be used as it helps people showcase and understand the size and age of certain things.

It helps us understand the context of and around the context in question.

Sentence Examples:-

How to use diminutive suffix?

A diminutive suffix can be used by adding a letter or a certain group of letters at the end of a word.

It can be used to reduce the effect of a certain object or subject in question as it diminishes it in size or even figuratively.

Sentence Examples:-

Where to use diminutive suffix?

A diminutive suffix can be used wherever the rules of grammar may allow it to be used.

This is because adding a diminutive suffix at the end of any and every word won’t make sense. Hence it may be used at the end of words where it will make sense after being added.

Sentence Examples:-

Diminutive Suffix Structure

A diminutive suffix structure usually consists of a root word plus the diminutive suffix at its end.

Root Word + Diminutive Suffix

Sentence Examples:-

Use Of diminutive suffix

A diminutive suffix can be used to demonstrate the smallness of a certain object.

It’s a convenient grammar tool that allows one to exhibit a certain objects varied form, in this case, it’s smaller form.

Sometimes, the new word formed with the help of a diminutive suffix can have a different meaning than the root word.

Sentence Examples:-

Diminutive suffix examples

1.     Aunt- My favorite auntie will be visiting me next month.

The letters ‘ie’ from the word ‘auntie’ are a diminutive suffix.

2.     Pig- This tiny piglet is just three months old.

The letters ‘let’ from the word ‘piglet’ are a diminutive suffix.

3.     Sweet- The mother calls her son ‘sweetie’ as a term of endearment.

The letters ‘ie’ from the word ‘sweetie’ are a diminutive suffix.

4.     Dog- My niece has been asking her mother to adopt a doggie since last year.

The letters ‘gie’ from the word ‘dog’ are a diminutive suffix.

5.     Dear- She considers her daughter to be her little darling.

The letters ‘ing’ from the word ‘darling’ are a diminutive suffix.

Note: Sometimes, the root word changes into a different word altogether with the addition of a diminutive suffix.

6.     Drop- The water droplet has been trickling down our window

The letters ‘let’ from the word ‘droplet’ are a diminutive suffix.

7.     Star- That young starlet led a life full of fame and success.

The letters ‘let’ from the word ‘starlet’ are a diminutive suffix.

8.     Maid- The young maiden is set to step out into the world.

The letters ‘en’ from the word ‘maiden’ are a diminutive suffix.

9.     Bird- The little kid was talking to his pet birdie.

The letters ‘ie’ from the word ‘bird’ are a diminutive suffix.

10.  Chick- Look at all those chickens.

The letters ‘en’ from the word ‘chicken’ are a diminutive suffix.

11.  Cat- The cat gave birth to six kittens.

The letters ‘ten’ from the word ‘kitten’ are a diminutive suffix.

12.  Duck- The ducklings had been following their mother around in the pond.

The letters ‘ling’ from the word ‘duckling’ are a diminutive suffix.

Diminutive Suffix
“Duck- ducklings” is a Diminutive Suffix Example.
Image from flickr.

13.  Small- I have a smallish canvas that we can paint on.

The letters ‘ish’ from the word ‘smallish’ are a diminutive suffix.

14.  Tall- A tallish man approached me last night.

The letters ‘ish’ from the word ‘tallish’ are a diminutive suffix.

15.  Green- We can play cricket on that greenish patch of land.

The letters ‘ish’ from the word ‘greenish’ are a diminutive suffix.

16.  Yellow- The medicine is yellowish in color.

The letters ‘ish’ from the word ‘yellowish’ are a diminutive suffix.

17.  Blue- The bruise on my arm was bluish in color but it has healed now.

The letters ‘ish’ from the word ‘bluish’ are a diminutive suffix.

18.  Red- I have created a reddish shade by mixing different paint colors.

The letters ‘dish’ from the word ‘reddish’ are a diminutive suffix.

19.  Weak- The old team members considered the new team members to be weaklings.

The letters ‘ling’ from the word ‘weaking’ are a diminutive suffix.

20.  Young- The younglings will be going on the rides before us.

The letters ‘ling’ from the word ‘youngling’ are a diminutive suffix.

21.  Seed- We planted a seedling ten years ago and now it’s a huge tree.

The letters ‘ling’ from the word ‘seedling’ are a diminutive suffix.

22.  Leaf- We were given this leaflet while leaving the event.

The letters ‘let’ from the word ‘leaflet’ are a diminutive suffix.

23.  Book- This instruction booklet has everything we need to know.

The letters ‘let’ from the word ‘booklet’ are a diminutive suffix.

24.  Pack- I bought myself a packet of chips since I was really hungry.

The letters ‘et’ from the word ‘packet’ are a diminutive suffix.

25.  Finger- I cooked some fingerling potatoes as an appetizer.

The letters ‘ling’ from the word ‘fingerling’ are a diminutive suffix.

26.  Hill- We constructed a small house up on that hillock.

The letters ‘ock’ from the word ‘hillock’ are a diminutive suffix.

27.  Goose- These goslings are finding their mother.

The letters ‘ling’ from the word ‘gosling’ are a diminutive suffix.

28.  Figure- My father bought my brother a little action figurine.

The letters ‘ine’ from the word ‘figurine’ are a diminutive suffix.

29.  Lock- My grandfather kept a picture of my grandmother in his locket.

The letters ‘et’ from the word ‘locket’ are a diminutive suffix.

30.  Sparkle- We saw bright and sparkling stars in the sky.

The letters ‘ling’ from the word ‘sparkling’ are a diminutive suffix.

31.  Dame- The movie was just another ‘damsel in distress’ story.

The letters ‘sel’ from the word ‘damsel’ are a diminutive suffix.

32.  Bull- We sat on a bullock cart when we visited the village.

The letters ‘ock’ from the word ‘bullock’ are a diminutive suffix.

Read More: Plural Suffix: What, How, When, Where To Use, Structure, Several Facts