What this suffix does
-some forms adjectives meaning "producing X" or "having that quality": awesome, tiresome, troublesome, wholesome.
ESEN
Suffix · forms adjectives
-some
From Old English "-sum": forms adjectives meaning producing that effect or characterised by that quality. Gruesome, winsome, loathsome, wholesome, awesome.
In Spanish: -oso / -able / producingIntermediate
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Trap: "handsome" is not about hands
"handsome" does not come from "big hands": it originally comes from "handy" (skillful, useful). Today it means attractive (for a person) or considerable (for an amount of money: "a handsome sum").
How it is formed
Noun or verb + some. Produces adjectives.
- noun + some (producing that effect)awe = awesometrouble = troublesomeloathe = loathsomehand = handsometire = tiresomeworry = worrisome
- quality root + some (characterised by)whole = wholesomewynn = winsomequarrel = quarrelsomeburden = burdensome
- horror root + some (literary)grue = gruesomefear = fearsomedread = dreadsome (rare, mostly dreadful)
"handsome" does not mean "having large hands" — the root "hand" here comes from "handy" (skilful, apt). In modern English handsome = attractive (of a person, especially a man) or considerable (of a sum of money).
How it is pronounced
-some/səm/ · rhymes with come
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Base word
With -some
In a phrase
- awe (reverential fear)awesomeThe concert last night was awesome.
- grue (shudder)gruesomeThe horror movie had some pretty gruesome scenes.
- loathe (to feel revulsion)loathsomeEveryone in the office finds his behavior loathsome.
- whole (entire, healthy)wholesomeIt's a wholesome family movie the kids will love.
- wynn (OE joy)winsomeShe has a winsome smile that puts everyone at ease.
- troubletroublesomeThe printer has been troublesome all week.
- quarrelquarrelsomeThe siblings can be quarrelsome, but they always make up.
- hand (handy)handsomeHe looked very handsome in his new suit.
- tiretiresomeAnswering the same question all day gets tiresome.
- burdenburdensomeThe extra paperwork felt burdensome for the small team.
Common mistakes
awesome always means great or fantastic
awesome formally means inspiring awe; colloquially it means great (informal AmE)
In formal writing "awesome" = overwhelming, awe-inspiring: "the awesome force of the storm." In informal American speech "awesome" = great. Do not mix registers in formal writing.
winsome = victorious (from "win")
winsome = charmingly innocent and attractive
"winsome" has no connection to "to win." It comes from Old English "wynn" (joy). "a winsome smile" = a charming and innocent smile.
handsome = having large hands
handsome = attractive (person) or considerable (amount)
"handsome" is unrelated to "hand" in the modern sense. "a handsome man" = an attractive man. "a handsome sum" = a considerable amount of money.
A trick to remember it
"-some" = produces that quality, as if the base word "infects" you with that feeling: tire-SOME = makes you tired. trouble-SOME = causes trouble. Trap: "handsome" does not come from literal "hand", it comes from "handy" (skillful), the meaning already shifted.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"A winsome smile" means...
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
What is the formal use of "awesome"?
Frequently asked questions
What does the suffix -some mean in English?
The suffix -some from Old English "-sum": forms adjectives meaning producing that effect or characterised by that quality. Gruesome, winsome, loathsome, wholesome, awesome. In Spanish it usually maps to -oso / -able / producing.
How do you pronounce -some?
The ending -some is pronounced /səm/ · rhymes with come. For example, "awesome".
Can you give an example of a word with -some?
"awe (reverential fear)" becomes "awesome". It is a typical example of the -some suffix.
Other useful suffixes
-acious / -icious
From Latin "-ax/-acis": means "full of" or "having the quality of" to a high degree. Tenacious, audacious, malicious, delicious.
-ful
Turns a noun into an adjective meaning "full of" or "having": care becomes careful.
-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.