-al meaning: definition, etymology

-al

suffix

/əl/ · [l̩]

Etymology From Middle English -al, from the Latin adjective suffix -ālis, or French, Middle French and Old French -el, -al. Distant doublet of -ar.

Morpheme Of or pertaining to. Adjectival suffix appended to various words, often nouns, to produce an adjective form. Often added to words of Latin origin, but used with other words also.

base + -al → basal
cranium + -al → cranial

1 more example

spine + -al → spinal

Morpheme Forming nouns, especially of verbal action.

propose + -al → proposal
deny + -al → denial

1 more example

bestow + -al → bestowal

Derived terms: arousal, arrival, bestowal, betrothal, denial, disposal, proposal, rental, rival, revival, reversal, removal, subdual, submittal, transmittal, upheaval, -ical
Related terms: -an, -ar, -ate, -ese, -esque, -ian, -id, -ing, -ish, -like, -oid, -ory, -ous, -ship, -tion, -ure, -y

-al

suffix

/æl/

Etymology Clipping of aldehyde.

Chemistry, Natural sciences, Organic chemistry, Physical sciences Morpheme Forms the names of aldehydes.