Word part · Latin suffix
Suffix -ify words: meaning and 28 examples
In short
The Latin suffix -ify (from Latin) means "to make". Words with it include simplify, classify, purify, solidify, humidify and intensify. Usually written -ify, with the i acting as a joining vowel.
- Part
- -ify
- Meaning
- to make
- Origin
- Latin
- Words listed
- 28
Usually written -ify, with the i acting as a joining vowel. In a few words it is plain -fy, as in satisfy.
Words with the Latin suffix -ify
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
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| simplify | simple (root or base)+ify (suffix)→simplifydrop the e | to make something simpler |
| classify | class (root or base)+ify (suffix)→classify | to sort things into classes or groups |
| purify | pure (root or base)+ify (suffix)→purifydrop the e | to make something pure |
| falsify | false (root or base)+ify (suffix)→falsifydrop the e | to make something false on purpose |
| amplify | ample (root or base)+ify (suffix)→amplifydrop the e | to make a sound louder or bigger |
| simplified | simple (root or base)+ify (suffix)+ed (suffix)→simplifieddrop the e, then change y to i | made simpler |
| classified | class (root or base)+ify (suffix)+ed (suffix)→classifiedchange y to i | sorted into groups |
| verify | ver (root or base)+ify (suffix)→verify | make sure something is true |
| verified | ver (root or base)+ify (suffix)+ed (suffix)→verifiedchange y to i | checked and found true |
| verifies | ver (root or base)+ify (suffix)+es (suffix)→verifieschange y to i | checks that it is true (one person, now) |
| verifiable | ver (root or base)+ify (suffix)+able (suffix)→verifiablechange y to i | able to be checked and shown true |
| signify | sign (root or base)+ify (suffix)→signify | to be a mark or sign of something |
More words: identify, clarify, qualify, modify, notify, unify, specify, terrify, justify
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| solidify | solid (root or base)+ify (suffix)→solidify | to make or become solid |
| humidify | humid (root or base)+ify (suffix)→humidify | to add water to the air |
| intensify | intense (root or base)+ify (suffix)→intensifydrop the e | to make something stronger |
| personify | person (root or base)+ify (suffix)→personify | to give human traits to a thing or idea |
| diversify | diverse (root or base)+ify (suffix)→diversifydrop the e | to add more kinds of things |
| verifying | ver (root or base)+ify (suffix)+ing (suffix)→verifying | checking that something is true, now |
| unverified | un (prefix)+ver (root or base)+ify (suffix)+ed (suffix)→unverifiedchange y to i | not yet checked to be true |
How do you teach the suffix -ify?
Pick bases a student can picture: simple, pure, solid, false. Simplify means to make something simple; purify means to make water pure. Show that the e at the end of simple and pure drops because the suffix starts with i. Then add -ed to simplify and the y turns to i: simplified. Two spelling changes in one word is a good chance to slow down and name each one.
A quick routine
Write simple, pure, solid and class. Say, "Ify means to make. Solid plus ify is solidify: to make something solid." The student builds each word and says the meaning. Next, write simplify + ed and ask, "What changes?" Let the student explain that y becomes i. Close with a quick sort: identify, verify and clarify go in a pile marked "no easy base," and the four you built go in a pile marked "base I know."
What do students mix up with -ify?
Words such as identify, verify and clarify really do use this suffix, but their bases are Latin parts, not English words, so the meaning is hard to see from inside. Beautify and glorify drop the y of beauty and glory first, which surprises students. Puffy, fluffy and leafy end in f plus the -y suffix, a different part.
Some of these words change spelling where the parts join. The spelling rules pages cover dropping e, doubling and changing y to i. 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 -ify mean?
-ify means "to make". It is a Latin suffix. Usually written -ify, with the i acting as a joining vowel. In a few words it is plain -fy, as in satisfy.
What are some words with the suffix -ify?
Start with simplify, classify, purify and falsify. Then move to solidify and humidify. This page lists 28 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Why does simplified have an i before ed?
Simplify ends in a consonant and y. When -ed is added, the y changes to i, just as in cried or tried. So simple + ify + ed becomes simplified, with two spelling changes along the way.
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