-less

== English == === Alternative forms === -lesse (obsolete) === Etymology === From Middle English -les, -leas, from Old English -lēas (“-less”) (compare lēas (“devoid of, loose from, false”)), from Proto-West Germanic *-laus, from Proto-Germanic *-lausaz, from *lausaz (“loose”). (Not related to less, which derives from *laisiz, *laisizô.) Cognate with Scots -less, West Frisian -leas, Saterland Frisian -loos, Dutch -loos, Low German -los, German -los, Danish -løs, Swedish -lös, Icelandic -laus. More at loose. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ləs/, /lɪs/ === Suffix === -less (adjective-forming suffix, not comparable) Lacking (something); without (something). Added usually to a noun to form an adjective signifying a lack of that noun. aweless, skill-less, artless, doubtless, countless, soulless, will-less, tireless. ==== Usage notes ==== Adjectives formed using -less often form nouns by the addition of -ness (e.g. helplessness), but generally do not form nouns by the addition of other noun-forming endings. A notable exception to the usual usage of this suffix is that doubtless is usually an adverb, rather than an adjective. ==== Synonyms ==== (lacking): an-, ex-, -free ==== Antonyms ==== (antonym(s) of “lacking”): -ed, -y, -some (having in considerable amount), -ful (having in abundance) ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Anagrams === ELSS, SELs, SLEs == Scots == === Etymology === From Middle English -les, from Old English -lēas (“-less”). === Suffix === -less lacking; without. Added usually to a noun to form an adjective signifying a lack of that noun. ==== Derived terms ====