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Suffix · forms nouns

-ling

From Old English "-ling": forms diminutives of young creatures, small beings or subordinate persons. Duckling, fledgling, sibling, underling, changeling.

In Spanish: -illo / -ito / young oneIntermediate

Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated

What this suffix does

-ling forms nouns with two senses: a young creature (duckling, sapling = young tree, nestling), or a person in a subordinate position (underling). "sibling" (brother or sister, gender-neutral) is the most used word in this group today.

fledgling: literal and figurative

"fledgling" literally = a young bird just learning to fly. Figuratively, very common in news: "a fledgling democracy/startup" = a new, inexperienced one.

How it is formed

Noun (animal, person, situation) + ling. Always produces a noun.

  • animal + ling (young)
    duck = ducklinggoose = goslingnest = nestlingyear = yearlingfledge = fledgling
  • position or condition + ling (subordinate)
    under = underlingsib (kin) = siblingfound = foundlingstrip = stripling
  • literary/folkloric concept + ling
    change = changelingdark = darkling (poetic)

Not all young animal names use -ling: kitten, puppy, cub, foal, lamb, calf have their own forms. -ling is more productive in Old English and literary contexts.

How it is pronounced

-ling/lɪŋ/ · rhymes with sing

Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.

Examples

  • duckducklingThe mother duck was followed by five little ducklings.
  • fledge (grow feathers)fledglingThe fledgling company grew fast in its first year.
  • saplingsaplingThey planted a sapling in the backyard last spring.
  • underunderlingHe treated his underlings with respect, unlike most bosses.
  • sib (kin)siblingDo you have any siblings?
  • nestnestlingThe nestlings chirped every time their mother came back with food.
  • yearyearlingThe yearling colt was already faster than the older horses.
  • changechangelingIn the old story, the fairies swap the baby for a changeling.
  • foundfoundlingThe orphanage took in the foundling and raised her as their own.
  • strip (thin youth)striplingHe was just a stripling when he joined the army.

Common mistakes

sibling = male brother only
sibling = brother or sister (gender-neutral)

"sibling" is the gender-neutral term. siblings = brothers and sisters collectively. Very common in medical, psychological and formal contexts.

fledgling = only a young bird
fledgling as adjective/noun also means new and inexperienced (company, democracy, artist)

"a fledgling democracy" = a young, inexperienced democracy. "a fledgling startup" = a company just starting out. Very common in journalism and political essays.

duckling = only in The Ugly Duckling
duckling = any young duck (general zoological term), not only the fairy tale

duckling is the general term for a young duck. The Ugly Duckling popularised the word but it is a standard zoological and everyday term.

A trick to remember it

Picture a duckLING next to its mother: small and dependent. That same idea of "small/dependent" applies to underLING: someone "small" in the workplace hierarchy.

Practise what you learned

Exercise 1 · Form the word

A brother or sister, gender-neutral: sib___

Hint: sib + ling

Exercise 2 · Pick the right one

"A fledgling democracy" means...

Exercise 3 · Pick the right one

"He was just an underling in the company." What is an "underling"?

Frequently asked questions

What does the suffix -ling mean in English?

The suffix -ling from Old English "-ling": forms diminutives of young creatures, small beings or subordinate persons. Duckling, fledgling, sibling, underling, changeling. In Spanish it usually maps to -illo / -ito / young one.

How do you pronounce -ling?

The ending -ling is pronounced /lɪŋ/ · rhymes with sing. For example, "duckling".

Can you give an example of a word with -ling?

"duck" becomes "duckling". It is a typical example of the -ling suffix.

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