Suffix · forms adjectives
moving in a specified direction; regularly attending or participating in; suited for
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
-going creates compound adjectives and nouns with several related meanings: movement in a direction (outgoing, ongoing), regular attendance or participation (churchgoing, theatergoing), and suitability for a context (easygoing, seagoing). The suffix appears in everyday words (outgoing, easygoing) as well as in more formal or technical compounds (seagoing, thoroughgoing). Its flexibility makes it one of the more versatile compound elements in English.
-going
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
"Easygoing" is increasingly written as one word in American English. "Outgoing" and "ongoing" are always written as one word. "Seagoing" and "thoroughgoing" are always one word. When in doubt with less common compounds, add a hyphen.
"Outgoing" means both (1) socially confident and friendly ("she is very outgoing") and (2) leaving a position or role ("the outgoing president"). Context will almost always make the meaning clear, but be aware of both when reading.
A trick to remember it
-going is a chameleon suffix: it can describe personality (easygoing), status (ongoing), direction (outgoing), activity patterns (churchgoing), and capability (seagoing). The key is the base word: "easy" describes manner, "out" describes direction, "on" describes continuity. Pay attention to what quality the base word contributes — that gives you the meaning of the compound.
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"The ongoing investigation requires patience from everyone involved." What does "ongoing" mean?
Exercise 3 · Form the word
The suffix -going moving in a specified direction; regularly attending or participating in; suited for In Spanish it usually maps to que va / asiduo a / apto para.
"easy" becomes "easygoing". It is a typical example of the -going suffix.
From the past participle of "bind": forms adjectives meaning "confined by," "heading toward," or "obligated by." Spellbound, earthbound, homebound, hidebound, snowbound, inbound.
From Old English "-weard" (direction): forms adverbs and adjectives of direction or tendency. Inward, outward, forward, wayward, awkward.
From Old English "wise" (manner, way): converts nouns and adjectives into adverbs of manner. Otherwise, likewise, clockwise, contrariwise, streetwise.
-tion, -ness, -ful, -ly, -able... every ending you need to understand thousands of words at once.