Words that end with the suffix “-cy” are typically nouns and often denote a state, condition, or quality. These words derive from the Latin suffix “-itia” or “-tia,” which eventually transformed into the modern English form “-cy” over time. This suffix helps form abstract nouns that usually describe a specific state, quality, or office.
Here’s a detailed list of words that end with “-cy”:
Common Words That End with “-cy”:
- Accuracy – The quality or state of being accurate; correctness.
- Privacy – The state of being free from public attention or intrusion; personal space or information.
- Efficiency – The state of being efficient, i.e., achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
- Bankruptcy – The legal state of being unable to pay debts owed.
- Democracy – A system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting.
- Frequency – The rate at which something occurs over a particular period of time.
- Intensity – The quality of being intense, especially in terms of strength, force, or concentration.
- Apathy – A lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
- Proficiency – The state of being skilled or competent in a particular area or task.
- Supervisory – Relating to the act or position of overseeing or managing others, often in a workplace context.
- Efficiency – Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
- Fluency – The ability to express oneself easily and accurately in a language or skill.
- Prophecy – A prediction of future events, often associated with divine inspiration.
- Illiteracy – The inability to read or write.
- Diplomacy – The profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations or negotiations.
- Legacy – Something handed down from an ancestor or predecessor.
- Efficacy – The ability to produce a desired or intended result.
- Oligarchy – A form of government in which power rests with a small number of people or families.
- Autocracy – A system of government by one person with absolute power.
- Necromancy – The practice of communicating with the dead, especially in magical or mystical contexts.
Features of Words Ending with “-cy”
- Meaning: As mentioned, words ending in “-cy” often relate to a state, condition, or the quality of something.
- Part of Speech: They are typically nouns, though the root words may sometimes come from adjectives or verbs. For example, “proficient” becomes “proficiency,” and “efficient” becomes “efficiency.”
- Formation: Many of these words are derived from Latin or Greek, as the suffix “-cy” is a product of the Latin “-tia” or “-itas.”
- Common Usage: These words are frequently used in formal or academic contexts, where abstract concepts or qualities need to be described.