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-ance. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
-ance, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
-ance in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
-ance you have here. The definition of the word
-ance will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
-ance, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English -aunce, -ance, from Anglo-Norman -aunce and continental Old French -ance, from Latin -antia, -entia.
Pronunciation
Suffix
-ance
- Added to an adjective or verb to form a noun indicating a state or condition, such as result or capacity, associated with the verb.
- ally + -ance → alliance
- perform + -ance → performance
- reluctant + -ance → reluctance
- Added to a verb to form a noun indicating a process or action.
- appear + -ance → appearance
- resist + -ance → resistance
Usage notes
- Many words ending in "-ance" were formed in French or by alteration of a noun or adjective ending in "-ant".
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
Anagrams
French
Etymology
From Old French -ance, from Latin -antia and -entia. Compare Spanish -anza, -enza, Italian -anza, -enza, Portuguese -ança, -ença, Romanian -ință.
Cognate to French -ence.
Pronunciation
Suffix
-ance f (plural -ances)
- -ance; forms abstract nouns
Derived terms
Related terms
Middle English
Suffix
-ance
- Alternative form of -aunce
Middle French
Suffix
-ance
- -ance (suffixed used to form nouns)
Derived terms
Descendants
Old French
Alternative forms
Etymology
Inherited from Latin -antia(m), -entia(m).
Pronunciation
Suffix
-ance
- -ance (suffixed used to form nouns)
Derived terms
Related terms
Descendants
Scots
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English -aunce, from Anglo-Norman -aunce and continental Old French -ance, from Latin -antia, -entia.
Pronunciation
Suffix
-ance
- Forms nouns indicating states or processes, usually from verbs or other nouns;
Serbo-Croatian
Suffix
-ance (Cyrillic spelling -анце)
- Suffix appended to words to create a neuter noun, usually to form a diminutive or as an expression of endearment, or to denote an object.
See also