-ish

adjective suffix

1

: of, relating to, or being

—chiefly in adjectives indicating nationality or ethnic group

Finnish

2

a

: characteristic of

boyish

Pollyannaish

b

: inclined or liable to

bookish

qualmish

3

a

: having a touch or trace of

purplish

: somewhat

darkish

b

: having the approximate age of

fortyish

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English -isc; akin to Old High German -isc, -ish, Greek -iskos, diminutive suffix

Kids Definition

-ish

adjective suffix

ish

1

: of, relating to, or being

Finnish

2

a

: characteristic of

boyish

mulish

b

: somewhat

purplish

c

: having the approximate age of

fortyish

d

: being or occurring at the approximate time of

arrive around eightish

Etymology

Old English -isc (adjective suffix)