The Meaning of Suffix ITY – With Sentence Examples

Here is a transcript of the video: Words With the Suffix ITY

Slide 2:
The suffix ITY means
the STATE OF or QUALITY

This suffix makes nouns from adjectives,
e.g. pure (adj.) – purity (n.)
Sometimes the suffix TY is used as in LIBERTY.

Slide 3:
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Slide 4:
ETERNITY

Definition: time without beginning or end, the quality of being infinite

Slide 5:
The picture shows a little boy looking out a window.

Sentence example: After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, the little boy saw his Dad coming up the street.

In other words, the little boy was anxiously waiting what seemed to be a very long time to him, for his Dad to come home.

Slide 6:
AMBIGUITY

Definition: the quality of being open to more than one interpretation or meaning

Slide 7:
In the picture we see a sign that reads: “Bin is for tenants only. Others keep out.”

Sentence example: Signwriters need to be careful of ambiguity, as illustrated here.

If the sign is read literally, it means that the garbage bin is only for people who live in it, and others (tenants) who don’t live there should keep out.

Slide 8:
ABSURDITY

Definition: the state of being ridiculous, or extremely unreasonable

Slide 9:
The picture shows an American military vehicle stuck in a deep channel on a rough road with a local villager holding a digger.

Sentence example: You can’t help but smile at the absurdity of the situation!

In other words, it seems a ridiculous situation where a powerful military vehicle and it’s crew need help from a local villager to get out of the mud.

Slide 10:
DIGNITY

Definition: the quality of being worthy of honour and respect

Slide 11:
In the picture we see an old prison cell.

Sentence example: Some people argue that prison can rob a person of their dignity, making rehabilitation more difficult.

Slide 12:
ADVERSITY

Definition: a condition marked by difficulty, unpleasantness or trouble

Slide 13:
In the picture we see three smiling children who have been displaced because of flooding, carrying food.

Sentence example: These amazing children (flood victims), still manage to smile in the midst of adversity.

Side 14:
DEBILITY

Definition: a state of physical weakness, especially as a result of an illness, that significantly limits a person’s motor, sensory or cognitive abilities

Slide 15:
The picture shows an Invictus Games competitor in a wheel chair playing tennis.

Sentence example: He refused to allow his disability to prevent him from living an active life.

Slide 16:
So remember, the suffix ITY or TY simply means

the STATE OF or QUALITY

Examples:
ETERNITY
AMBIGUITY
ABSURDITY
DIGNITY
ADVERSITY
DEBILITY

Slide 17:
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As you are interested in the meaning of suffix ITY, be sure to check this entry in The Suffixes Guide:
What Does the Suffix NESS Mean?

Image Credits

Slide 5 – little boy
Public Domain
https://flic.kr/p/MvYekH

Slide 7 – ambiguous sign
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/5Mm7im

Slide 9 – stuck
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/7tmUJ3

Slide 11 – prison
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/2mjbA3F

Slide 13 – children
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/5jjHoZ

Slide 15 – Invictus games
Creative Commons
https://flic.kr/p/GaMCKc

Regarding the use of illustrations and photographs used in this video:

Creative Commons Attribution Licence
Others are allowed to copy, distribute, display, and perform copyrighted work – and derivative works based upon it if they give credit to the creator or source.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Public Domain
Public domain works are not restricted by copyright and do not require a license or fee to use. Public domain status allows the user unrestricted access and unlimited creativity. These are typically very old works.