The suffix “-ike” is a common morpheme in English, often forming adjectives that express similarity or resemblance. For example, “childlike” describes something possessing qualities similar to a child. This suffix can be attached to nouns (e.g., “warlike,” “bell-like”) or adjectives (e.g., “ghostlike”). The resulting words typically describe something sharing characteristics with the root word.
Understanding this suffix expands vocabulary and improves reading comprehension. Recognizing the shared characteristic implied by “-ike” aids in interpreting unfamiliar words. Historically, the suffix derives from Old English and has maintained its function of indicating resemblance across centuries of language evolution. This linguistic element provides a nuanced way to express comparisons and contributes to the richness of descriptive language.
