This list includes 13 Suffixes that start with U, from “-uate” to “-uria”. They mainly form verbs, nouns, or adjectives and often appear in academic or medical vocabulary. Use this page for word formation, vocabulary study, spelling help, or quick editorial reference.

[Suffixes that start with U] are bound endings that attach to roots to create specific grammatical or semantic roles. A notable example is “-uria”, used in medical terms like “hematuria” to indicate conditions involving urine.

Below you’ll find the table with origin, meaning, and example words.

Origin: Shows the language or period the suffix comes from, helping you judge usage, formality, and historical meaning.

Meaning: Gives a short phrase describing the suffix’s typical sense so you can quickly decide if it fits your word.

Example words: Lists two to four real words that use the suffix so you see how it’s applied in context.

Suffixes that start with U

SuffixOriginMeaningExample words
–ularLatin (Classical)relating to; having the nature ofcellular; modular; tubular; vascular
–uleLatin (Classical)diminutive; small object or particlemolecule; globule; venule; capsule
–ulaLatin (Classical)small structure; diminutive, often anatomicalformula; uvula; scapula; vesicula
–ulumLatin (Classical)diminutive neuter noun endingpendulum; speculum; curriculum
–umLatin (Classical)neuter noun ending; thing or conceptdatum; spectrum; bacterium; album
–ureLatin (Classical) via Old French (Medieval)action, result, process; noun-formingclosure; exposure; measure; fracture
–uousLatin (Classical)full of; having a qualitycontinuous; ambiguous; sensuous
–ulousLatin (Classical)inclined to; full of; characterized bycredulous; querulous; tremulous
–uriaGreek (Classical) via Latincondition of the urine; medical symptomhematuria; proteinuria; oliguria
–uresisGreek (Classical)urination; process of producing urinediuresis; anuresis; enuresis
–urgyGreek (Classical)work, craft, operation; practice or processmetallurgy; surgery; thaumaturgy
–ulateLatin (Classical)to make or become; verb/adjective-formingcalculate; granulate; stipulate
–uateLatin (Classical)to make, cause to be; verb-formingactuate; evaluate; graduate

Descriptions

–ular
Common adjective-forming suffix from Latin -ularis; productive in technical and everyday vocabulary (OED; Merriam-Webster). Often attaches to noun stems to mean “pertaining to.”
–ule
Widely used diminutive suffix in learned and scientific vocabulary; forms nouns meaning small things or structures (OED). Moderately productive in scientific coinages.
–ula
Classical Latin diminutive often retained in anatomical/technical terms. Common in medical and scientific vocabulary (OED).
–ulum
Latin neuter diminutive now lexicalized in many English borrowings; marks instruments or small things. Typical in learned/formal register.
–um
Very common Latin-derived noun ending in scientific/technical vocabulary; productive in borrowing and coinage (biology, chemistry).
–ure
Frequent noun-forming suffix from Latin -ura via Old French; neutral register, widespread in everyday and technical words (OED).
–uous
Adjective-forming, often from stems ending in -ue; less productive than -ous but well established in learned vocabulary.
–ulous
Adjectival suffix from Latin -ulosus; common in learned and literary words, marks disposition or quality.
–uria
Highly specialized medical combining form used to name urinary conditions (clinical/technical) [medical] (Stedman; OED).
–uresis
Medical/nearly exclusively clinical suffix; forms nouns describing urination processes or disorders [medical].
–urgy
Combining form meaning “work of” or “practice”; used in technical, professional, and sometimes archaic/ritual words.
–ulate
Derivative from Latin -ulatus, used to form verbs/adjectives meaning “to make” or “to become”; moderately productive in technical and general English.
–uate
Verb-forming suffix from Latin -uatus/-uare; common in verbs of action or change (OED).
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