SpeakUP Academy
Descubre tu nivel
HomeSuffixes-metry
ESEN

Suffix · forms nouns

-metry

the process or science of measuring something; a system or method of measurement for a specified domain

In Spanish: -metríaScientific

Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated June 2026

What this suffix does

-metry comes from Greek "metron" (measure) and forms nouns that describe the science, system, or practice of measuring something. Geometry (measuring the earth), trigonometry (measuring triangles), symmetry (measuring together, equal measurement), photometry (measuring light), biometry (measuring living things) — each describes a systematic approach to measurement in a specific domain. While the related suffix -meter describes the instrument or unit of measurement, -metry describes the entire science or practice of measuring in that domain.

How it is pronounced

-metry

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

Examples

Base word
With -metry
In a phrase
  • geogeometryGeometry provided the mathematical language for describing space that architecture, engineering, and art all depended on.
  • trigonotrigonometryTrigonometry made it possible to calculate the height of a mountain from measurements taken at a distance, without climbing it.
  • symsymmetryThe symmetry of the facade was broken by a single window placed slightly off-centre, which the architect had described as "the deliberate imperfection."
  • photophotometryPhotometry allowed astronomers to determine the brightness and distance of stars by measuring the light they emitted.
  • biobiometryBiometry applied statistical methods to biological data to extract patterns that qualitative observation alone could not reveal.

Common mistakes

"-metry" and "-meter" always mean the same thing
"-metry" = the science of measurement; "-meter" = the instrument or unit of measurement

"Thermometry" is the science of measuring temperature; a "thermometer" is the instrument used to do it. "-metry" names the entire practice and science; "-meter" names the tool or unit. Both derive from Greek "metron" (measure) but describe different aspects of the same measuring activity.

"symmetry" is purely a mathematical term
"symmetry" is used across mathematics, science, art, architecture, biology, and everyday description

"Symmetry" derives from -metry but has long left the purely mathematical domain. In biology it describes the body plan of organisms. In physics it describes fundamental properties of natural laws. In art and architecture it describes aesthetic balance. In everyday English it means any kind of balanced proportionality. It is one of the most travelled -metry words.

A trick to remember it

The Greek root "metron" (measure) is one of the most ancient and productive in scientific vocabulary. What makes -metry words so powerful is that they name not just an activity (measuring) but a systematised practice with its own principles, methods, and history. "Geometry" is not just measuring shapes — it is the complete mathematical system for understanding spatial relationships. Recognising -metry connects you to a family of words across mathematics, physics, biology, and the arts.

Practise what you learned

Exercise 1 · Form the word

Fill in: "Students who struggled with algebra often found that ___ made abstract mathematics concrete because it was grounded in visible shapes." (the branch of mathematics dealing with the properties of shapes, lines, angles, and space)

Hint: Geo (earth) + metry (measurement) = measuring the earth; the mathematics of shape and space.

Exercise 2 · Pick the right one

"The symmetry of the human face is one of the most studied subjects in evolutionary biology." What does "symmetry" describe here?

Exercise 3 · Form the word

Fill in: "___ made it possible for sailors to calculate their position at sea by measuring the angle between the sun and the horizon." (the branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between angles and sides in triangles)

Hint: Trigono (triangle) + metry (measurement) = the measurement of triangles.

Frequently asked questions

What does the suffix -metry mean in English?

The suffix -metry the process or science of measuring something; a system or method of measurement for a specified domain In Spanish it usually maps to -metría.

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

"geo" becomes "geometry". It is a typical example of the -metry suffix.

Other useful suffixes

  • -graphy / -graph

    Names recording techniques or disciplines: photo + graphy = photography.

  • -meter

    From Greek "metron" (to measure): names measuring instruments or metric units. Thermometer, kilometer.

  • -ology / -logy

    Names a science or field of study: bio + ology = biology.

Learn every English suffix

-tion, -ness, -ful, -ly, -able... every ending you need to understand thousands of words at once.

View all suffixes
SpeakUP Academy

Aprende

  • Lecciones gratis
  • Test de nivel
  • Glosario
  • Falsos amigos

SpeakUP

  • Nosotros
  • Iniciar sesión

Legal

  • Términos
  • Privacidad
© 2026 SpeakUP Academy. Todos los derechos reservados.