-NESSniss
Suffix -NESS
Adding -NESS turns a describing word into a thing, like 'happy' → 'happiness'.
How this rule works
The suffix -ness turns an adjective into a noun. It means 'the state of being [adjective]'. 'Happy' → 'happiness' = the state of being happy.
Examples
Words that use this rule
77 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.
awarenessbitternessblindnessboldnessbrightnesscarelessnesscheerfulnesscleanlinessclosenesscoldnessconsciousnesscoolnesscorrectnessdarknessdeafnesseagernessemptinessfairnessfirmnessfitnessfondnessfoolishnessforgivenessfreshnessfullnessgentlenessgoodnessgreatnesshardnessharshnesshelplessnessillnesskindnesslazinesslikenesslonelinessmadnessmeannessneatnessnewnessnicenessopennesspolitenessquicknessquietnessreadinessrichnessrudenesssadnesssharpnessshynesssicknesssillinessslownesssmoothnesssoftnessstiffnessstillnessstrangenessstubbornnesssweetnesstendernessthicknessthinnesstightnesstirednesstoughnessuglinessusefulnessvastnessweaknesswetnesswickednesswildernesswildnesswillingnesswitness
Exceptions
If the base word ends in Y, change Y to I before -ness ('happy' → 'happiness').
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