-ity
suffixUK /əti/ · CA, US /əti/
Etymology From Middle English -ite, -itee, from Old French -ite, -ete, -eteit (“-ity”), from Latin -itātem, from -itās, from Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ts (suffix). Cognate with Gothic -𐌹𐌸𐌰 (-iþa, “-th”), Old High German -ida (“-th”), Old English -þo, -þu, -þ (“-th”). More at -th. By surface analysis, -i- (“connecting vowel”) + -ty.
1
Morpheme Used to form an uncountable noun from an adjective; especially, to form the noun referring to the state, property, or quality of conforming to the adjective's description.
- absurd + -ity → absurdity (“the quality of being absurd or inconsistent with obvious truth, reason, or sound judgment”)
- anonym(ous) + -ity → anonymity (“the quality or state of being anonymous”)
2 more examples
- modern + -ity → modernity (“the quality of being modern or contemporary”)
- precar(ious) + -ity → precarity (“a condition of existence without predictability or security, affecting material or psychological welfare”)
2
Morpheme Used to form a countable noun from an adjective, referring to someone or something that conforms to the adjective's description.
- absurd + -ity → [an] absurdity (“that which is absurd; an absurd action; a logical contradiction”)
- anonym(ous) + -ity → [an] anonymity (“that which is anonymous”)
2 more examples
- insipid + -ity → [an] insipidity (“something that is insipid; an insipid utterance, sight, object, etc.”)
- odd + -ity → [an] oddity (“an odd or strange thing or opinion; a strange person; an oddball”)
3
Morpheme Used to form other nouns, especially abstract nouns.