What this suffix does
-en turns an adjective into a verb meaning "make more X" or "become X": darken, deepen, strengthen, sharpen, brighten, weaken.
ESEN
Suffix · forms verbs
-en (verb)
From Old English "-nian": turns adjectives into causative verbs meaning to make more X or to become X. Darken, enlighten, deepen, strengthen, heighten.
In Spanish: hacer + adj / volver + adjIntermediate
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
How it is formed
Adjective + en. Always produces a verb.
- monosyllabic adjective + endark = darkenlight = lightendeep = deepenbroad = broadenbright = brightenflat = flattensharp = sharpen
- adjective + en (change of state)weak = weakenhard = hardensoft = softenloose = loosentight = tightenshort = shorten
- root + en (more literary or formal)fright = frightenheight = heightenstrength = strengthenen + light + en = enlighten
Some -en verbs carry the prefix en- as well: enlighten = en + light + en. Others come from nouns: frighten (from fright), threaten (from threat). The suffix -en in irregular past participles (broken, fallen) is a different use.
How it is pronounced
-en (verb)/ən/ · sounds like un
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Base word
With -en (verb)
In a phrase
- darkdarkenThe sky started to darken before the storm hit.
- light (+ en-)enlightenThe teacher tried to enlighten us about the country's history.
- deepdeepenTheir friendship began to deepen after they traveled together.
- broadbroadenStudying abroad really broadened her view of the world.
- heightheightenThe music helped heighten the tension in the movie's final scene.
- strengthstrengthenRegular exercise will strengthen your legs over time.
- frightfrightenThe loud thunder frightened the dog.
- brightbrightenA little paint can really brighten up a room.
- weakweakenSkipping meals can weaken your energy throughout the day.
- sharpsharpenHe used a small stone to sharpen his knife.
Common mistakes
enlighten and lighten are identical
enlighten = to illuminate the mind/give understanding; lighten = to make lighter or less dark
"enlighten me" = inform me, give me understanding. "lighten the load" = reduce the burden. enlighten always carries the sense of giving knowledge.
broaden = only physically widen something
broaden can be literal (widen) or figurative (expand horizons, perspectives)
"broaden the road" = widen (literal). "Travel broadens the mind" (figurative). The figurative use is very frequent.
sharpen = only sharpen a knife
sharpen can be literal (hone) or figurative (improve, refine, intensify)
"sharpen a pencil." "sharpen your skills" = improve your abilities. "sharpen your focus" = intensify your concentration.
A trick to remember it
"-en" turns an adjective into the ACTION of becoming that adjective: dark + en = darken, sharp + en = sharpen. Think of it as the button that switches on the change.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
What is the difference between enlighten and lighten?
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
"Travel broadens the mind" means...
Frequently asked questions
What does the suffix -en (verb) mean in English?
The suffix -en (verb) from Old English "-nian": turns adjectives into causative verbs meaning to make more X or to become X. Darken, enlighten, deepen, strengthen, heighten. In Spanish it usually maps to hacer + adj / volver + adj.
How do you pronounce -en (verb)?
The ending -en (verb) is pronounced /ən/ · sounds like un. For example, "darken".
Can you give an example of a word with -en (verb)?
"dark" becomes "darken". It is a typical example of the -en (verb) suffix.
Other useful suffixes
-ery / -ry
From Old French "-erie": forms nouns of activity, place, collective quality or state. Chivalry, trickery, wizardry, bravery, mockery.
-fy / -ify
From Latin "-ficare" (to make): turns nouns or adjectives into verbs meaning to make X or to become X. Magnify, rectify, petrify, glorify, vilify, mortify.
-itude
From Latin "-itudo": forms abstract nouns of state or quality. Solitude, gratitude, magnitude, fortitude.
Learn every English suffix
-tion, -ness, -ful, -ly, -able... every ending you need to understand thousands of words at once.