What this suffix does
-ster forms nouns naming a person associated with an activity or group: trickster, gangster, youngster, prankster, hipster.
ESEN
Suffix · forms nouns
-ster
From Old English "-estre": forms person nouns associated with an activity or group. Trickster, gangster, prankster, youngster, spinster, mobster, hipster.
In Spanish: -ero / -ista / person associated withIntermediate
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Note: not everything ending in -ster has it
"lobster" and "oyster" end similarly but are unrelated to this suffix, they come from a completely different origin.
How it is formed
Noun or verb + ster. Produces person nouns.
- activity + ster (one who does that activity)trick = tricksterprank = pranksterspin = spinstergang = gangstermob = mobsterteam = teamster
- characteristic + ster (person characterised by)young = youngsterhip = hipsterroad = roadstersong = songster
- original feminine + ster (archaic)spin = spinsterbrew = brewsterweb = websterbake = baxter (variant)
Some -ster words are not analysable with this suffix synchronically: "lobster" (from Old English "loppestre") and "oyster" (from French "oistre") are not person words and -ster is not the productive suffix there.
How it is pronounced
-ster/stər/ · rhymes withuster
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Base word
With -ster
In a phrase
- tricktricksterIn the story, the fox is a classic trickster.
- prankpranksterHe's the office prankster, always hiding people's staplers.
- ganggangsterThe movie is about a gangster in 1920s Chicago.
- spin (to spin thread)spinsterIn the old novel, she's described as a spinster living alone.
- youngyoungsterThe youngster couldn't stop asking questions.
- hip (trendy)hipsterThe new coffee shop is full of hipsters with laptops.
- mob (organised crime)mobsterThe film follows a mobster trying to leave his old life.
- roadroadsterHe bought a classic roadster to restore over the summer.
- team (of horses)teamsterHer grandfather worked as a teamster, driving trucks for years.
- songsongsterThe old songster still performs every Friday night.
Common mistakes
spinster = a neutral term for an unmarried woman
spinster is archaic and pejorative; "single woman" is the modern preference
"spinster" carries negative connotations of an older woman alone by default. Using it in a modern context sounds condescending or outdated. Prefer "single woman" or "unmarried woman".
lobster and oyster are person words (the one who fishes lobsters)
lobster and oyster do NOT use -ster as a person suffix — they have different etymologies
"lobster" comes from Old English "loppestre." "oyster" from French "oistre." They are not examples of the -ster person suffix. Do not generalise the pattern.
trickster = simply a liar
trickster in narratology and folklore = the archetypal cunning figure who subverts the established order
"trickster" is a technical term in folklore studies: the archetypal character who uses wit to upset the established order. Not simply "a liar" — it is a specific narrative function.
A trick to remember it
Picture someone identified by their favorite activity, like a nickname stuck to the person: prankSTER, gangSTER, hipSTER.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"trickster" means...
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
"Spinster" in modern English...
Frequently asked questions
What does the suffix -ster mean in English?
The suffix -ster from Old English "-estre": forms person nouns associated with an activity or group. Trickster, gangster, prankster, youngster, spinster, mobster, hipster. In Spanish it usually maps to -ero / -ista / person associated with.
How do you pronounce -ster?
The ending -ster is pronounced /stər/ · rhymes withuster. For example, "trickster".
Can you give an example of a word with -ster?
"trick" becomes "trickster". It is a typical example of the -ster suffix.
Other useful suffixes
-ard / -art
From Germanic "-hard" (persistently excessive): forms pejorative nouns for a person who takes a negative trait to excess. Drunkard, braggart, dullard, dotard, laggard.
-eer
From French "-ier": forms nouns for a person who works with something or carries out an activity. Pioneer, privateer, profiteer, buccaneer, engineer.
-ling
From Old English "-ling": forms diminutives of young creatures, small beings or subordinate persons. Duckling, fledgling, sibling, underling, changeling.
Learn every English suffix
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