Word part · Anglo-Saxon suffix
Suffix -dom words: meaning and 12 examples
In short
The Anglo-Saxon suffix -dom (from Old English) means "the state of being; or the land or rank of". Words with it include freedom, kingdom, boredom, stardom, dukedom and earldom. An Old English ending that names a state (freedom, boredom) or the land and rank of a ruler (kingdom, dukedom).
- Part
- -dom
- Meaning
- the state of being; or the land or rank of
- Origin
- Anglo-Saxon
- Words listed
- 12
An Old English ending that names a state (freedom, boredom) or the land and rank of a ruler (kingdom, dukedom).
Words with the Anglo-Saxon suffix -dom
The list runs from shorter, common words to longer ones. The bands are a rough guide built from syllable count and how common each word is in our word list, not a grade-level standard. Read each word, then its word sum.
Colors:prefixroot or basesuffix
Start here: short, common words (about grades 3 and 4)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| freedom | free (root or base)+dom (suffix)→freedom | the state of being free |
| kingdom | king (root or base)+dom (suffix)→kingdom | the land a king or queen rules |
| boredom | bore (root or base)+dom (suffix)→boredom | the state of being bored |
More words: wisdom
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| stardom | star (root or base)+dom (suffix)→stardom | the state of being a star |
| dukedom | duke (root or base)+dom (suffix)→dukedom | the land or rank of a duke |
| earldom | earl (root or base)+dom (suffix)→earldom | the land or rank of an earl |
| serfdom | serf (root or base)+dom (suffix)→serfdom | the state of being a serf, a worker tied to the land |
| chiefdom | chief (root or base)+dom (suffix)→chiefdom | the land a chief rules |
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| officialdom | official (root or base)+dom (suffix)→officialdom | officials as a group |
| freedoms | free (root or base)+dom (suffix)+s (suffix)→freedoms | more than one freedom |
| kingdoms | king (root or base)+dom (suffix)+s (suffix)→kingdoms | more than one kingdom |
How do you teach the suffix -dom?
Freedom and kingdom are the anchors. A student already knows free and king, so ask what the suffix adds. Freedom is the state of being free; a kingdom is the land a king rules. Show boredom next, the state of being bored, built on bore. History units bring in serfdom, earldom and dukedom, which follow the land and rank pattern. Wisdom belongs here too, though the vowel in wise shortens and the e drops.
A quick routine
Write free, king, bore and star. Say, "Dom means the state of being something, or the land a ruler holds. Free plus dom is freedom." The student reads each new word and names its job: state or land. Ask, "What would stardom feel like?" and take one answer. Close by spelling wisdom together and pointing at the missing e.
What do students mix up with -dom?
Random is not rand plus anything; the d-o-m is just part of the word. Domain and dome have dom at the front, where this suffix never goes. If taking off -dom leaves a word or a title, as in king or duke, it is the suffix. If it leaves a scrap like rand, it is not.
For the sounds inside these words, see the phonics word lists. Routines that fit: meanings of prefixes and suffixes, circle the parts, read the base and flexible routine for big words.
Questions people ask
What does the suffix -dom mean?
-dom means "the state of being; or the land or rank of". It is a Anglo-Saxon suffix. An Old English ending that names a state (freedom, boredom) or the land and rank of a ruler (kingdom, dukedom).
What are some words with the suffix -dom?
Start with freedom, kingdom, boredom and wisdom. Then move to stardom, dukedom, officialdom and freedoms. This page lists 12 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Why does wisdom not keep the e from wise?
Wisdom is very old, and its spelling settled long before modern rules about dropping e. Say wise and wisdom aloud: the vowel sound changes too. Treat it as a word to learn by heart while showing the link in meaning.
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