What Does The Suffix Ous Mean?

The suffix "ous" is an English suffix. The word formed by an addition of this type of suffix creates an adjective that describes the quality of the object it is derived from. For example "spacious area," means "an area full of space." In other words, the presence of an adjective suffix "ous" means full of, having the qualities like, abounding in etc.

Some of the words with the suffix "ous" are poisonous, bulbous, joyous, gracious, envious, riotous etc. The suffix is used in chemistry. The suffix "ous" in chemistry, represents that the element indicated by the name bearing it, has a valency which is lower than the one denoted by the suffix ending in "ic." For example, nitrous, sulphurous, ferrous etc as against nitric, sulphuric, ferric etc.

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