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Glite Dictionary
🔗 Related to 🧑 A person 📚 A collection
-ary

-ary

8.1
A suffix that forms nouns naming a person who does a job or has a role
  • other
  • Specialized
translation icon : -ario
  • In 'functionary', the suffix -ary shows a person who performs a function.

Examples

  • The word 'secretary' uses the suffix -ary to indicate a person with a specific role.

  • The missionary traveled to remote villages.

  • Adding -ary to 'mission' creates 'missionary', meaning someone who carries out missions.

  • He became a revolutionary in his youth.

  • The word 'secretary' uses the suffix -ary to indicate a person with a specific role.

  • Adding -ary to 'mission' creates 'missionary', meaning someone who carries out missions.

  • In 'functionary', the suffix -ary shows a person who performs a function.

Synonyms

eer
vs-ary
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A word ending that makes a noun for a person who does something

indicates a person associated with a role or position rather than only the doer
ster
vs-ary
  • Specialized
1 9.7

A word ending that shows a person who does something or is connected to something

focuses on association with a role or group instead of just activity performance
-ian
vs-ary
  • Specialized
3.2

An ending added to a name to show someone or something is connected to it

applies to members or agents tied to a specific role rather than general belonging
-ite
vs-ary
  • Specialized
8.1

Forming a noun for a person who belongs to a group, supports a leader, or lives in a place

labels a person by their role or function rather than by allegiance

Surface Forms

-ary main

Etymology

-Ary comes from an old Latin ending -arius meaning 'person connected with'. Think of secretary, missionary, and functionary, so the suffix often makes nouns for people who do a certain job or have a particular role.