This list includes 11 Suffixes that start with W, from “-ward / -wards” to “-wright”. These endings often form directionals, agent nouns, and compound place names used in writing and speech.

Suffixes that start with W are bound endings attached to word stems to create new meanings. For example, “-ward” has Old English roots and long shaped English directional words like “homeward”.

Below you’ll find the table with Origin, Meaning, and Example words.

Origin: Shows the language or historical period where the suffix comes from, helping you trace word history.

Meaning: Summarizes the suffix’s basic sense in a few words so you can compare functions quickly.

Example words: Lists two to four real words showing how the suffix changes meaning, tone, or category.

Suffixes that start with W

SuffixOrigin (language/period)MeaningExample words
–wiseOld Englishin the manner of; regardingclockwise, otherwise, lengthwise, moneywise
–ward / -wardsOld Englishtoward; in the direction offorward, eastward, homewards, heavenward
–wideOld Englishthroughout; across the whole extentworldwide, nationwide, citywide, statewide
–way / -waysOld Englishmanner, path, direction; in the X mannerdoorway, subway, crossways, lengthways
–worthyOld Englishdeserving of; having a quality worthy ofnewsworthy, trustworthy, noteworthy, award-worthy
–wareOld Englishitems of a specified kind; goodssilverware, glassware, software, dishware
–workOld Englishtask, labor, product; place/process of workhomework, needlework, teamwork, fieldwork
–woman / -womenOld English / Middle Englishfemale agent or person in a rolechairwoman, spokeswoman, policewomen, businesswoman
–worthOld Englishhaving a specified value; amount equivalent topennyworth, twopence-worth, halfpence-worth
–wrightOld Englishmaker, craftsman; worker who buildsshipwright, wheelwright, millwright
–woodOld Englishtype of wood; tree species or materialdriftwood, ironwood, boxwood

Descriptions

–wise
Adverbial/adjectival suffix from Old English wīs; very productive in Modern English (also informal jargon use like “workwise”); sometimes criticized in style guides.
–ward / -wards
Directional adjective/adverb-forming suffix. “-ward” forms adjectives/nouns, “-wards” is common in adverbs (more frequent in British English); widely productive.
–wide
Forms adjectives/adverbs meaning “across the whole X”; productive in Modern English, common in compounding and headlines.
–way / -ways
Compound-forming element; “-way” common in nouns, “-ways” often makes adverbs. Productive and widely attested in everyday English.
–worthy
Adjective-forming suffix meaning “deserving/fit for”; productive, often hyphenated in newer coinages; stems from Old English root meaning “worthy.”
–ware
Collective noun-forming suffix for kinds of goods; historic (ware = wares) but productive in modern coinages like “software.”
–work
Noun-forming element denoting labor or produced thing; highly productive and versatile in Modern English compounds.
–woman / -women
Gendered agentive suffix forming female role nouns; productive but socially sensitive—gender-neutral alternatives often preferred.
–worth
Noun-forming suffix denoting monetary value or worth; somewhat old-fashioned but still attested in set expressions and compounds.
–wright
Agentive occupational suffix from Old English wryhta; common in traditional trade names, limited modern productivity.
–wood
Second-element in many plant/tree names and materials; semantically specific and common in compounds though not always a fully bound morpheme.
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