What this suffix does
-smith names a craftsperson specialized in working a material: blacksmith, goldsmith, locksmith.
ESEN
Suffix · forms nouns
-smith
Names a craftsperson skilled in working a specific material or medium: blacksmith, goldsmith, silversmith, wordsmith, locksmith, gunsmith.
In Spanish: artesano de / forjador deIntermediate
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
"wordsmith": the most common figurative use
"wordsmith" = someone who writes very well: "she is a true wordsmith". A polished compliment, more natural than "he writes well".
How it is formed
Noun (material) + smith.
- black + smithblacksmith
- gold + smithgoldsmith
- word + smithwordsmith (a skilled writer)
This is not a productive rule you can apply freely: it is a closed set of fixed expressions. Learn them one by one as set phrases.
How it is pronounced
-smith/smɪθ/ · sounds like "smith"
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Base word
With -smith
In a phrase
- blackblacksmithThe blacksmith made a new horseshoe by hand.
- goldgoldsmithThe ring was made by a local goldsmith.
- silversilversmithThe silversmith crafted a beautiful tea set.
- wordwordsmithShe's a real wordsmith, every sentence she writes sounds perfect.
- locklocksmithWe had to call a locksmith after losing our keys.
- gungunsmithThe old gunsmith still repairs antique rifles.
- songsongsmithHe's a talented songsmith who's written hits for other artists.
Common mistakes
he is a good wordsmith writer
he is a skilled wordsmith
"Wordsmith" already implies writing skill — "wordsmith writer" is redundant.
blacksmith = craftsman of the color black
blacksmith = ironworker (works black iron)
"Black" in "blacksmith" refers to iron (dark metal), not the color in the abstract. A "whitesmith" works bright metals like tin or nickel.
A trick to remember it
"Smith" = the one who HAMMERS a material into shape. A blackSMITH hammers iron (soot-blackened). A goldSMITH hammers gold. A wordSMITH "hammers" words until they are perfect.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"She is a true wordsmith." What does "wordsmith" mean here?
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Frequently asked questions
What does the suffix -smith mean in English?
The suffix -smith names a craftsperson skilled in working a specific material or medium: blacksmith, goldsmith, silversmith, wordsmith, locksmith, gunsmith. In Spanish it usually maps to artesano de / forjador de.
How do you pronounce -smith?
The ending -smith is pronounced /smɪθ/ · sounds like "smith". For example, "blacksmith".
Can you give an example of a word with -smith?
"black" becomes "blacksmith". It is a typical example of the -smith suffix.
Other useful suffixes
-craft
Forms compounds naming a specialized skill, art, or type of vehicle: aircraft, spacecraft, witchcraft, stagecraft, statecraft, wordcraft.
-work
Forms compound nouns naming a type of organized activity, a structure, or a crafted material: teamwork, framework, network, groundwork, handiwork, patchwork.
-wright
From Old English "wryhta" (worker, maker): forms nouns for skilled craftsmen and makers. Playwright, wheelwright, shipwright, wainwright, millwright.
Learn every English suffix
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