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The suffix –ness is used to denote a quality or state of being. It is often used in a variety of everyday terms.

The form –ness comes from Old English –nes. Similar suffixes in Latin include –������� and –��ū��ō, both of which indicate a state of being and are the sources of the English suffixes –ity and –tude. Check out our entries for both suffixes to learn how frequently they appear.

An example of a word you may have encountered that features –ness is bitterness, “a harsh, acrid taste.”

The bitter– part of the word means “bitter” in the sense of “having a harsh, disagreeably acrid taste.” As we have seen, –ness means “quality” or “state of being.” Bitterness literally means “the state of being bitter.”

What are some words that use the combining form –ness?

• likeness
• pleasantness
• thirstiness
• uprightness
• usefulness
• worthiness

What are some other forms that –ness may be commonly confused with?

• -less

Given the meaning of –ness, what does pleasantness mean?