-y

¹-y

adj suffix
\ē; in some dialects, especially British, Southern, & New England, often i but not shown at individual entries\

Definition of -Y

1

a : characterized by : full of <blossomy> <dirty> <muddy> <clayey> b : having the character of : composed of <icy> <waxy> c : like : like that of <homey> <wintry> —often with a disparaging connotation <stagy>

2

a : tending or inclined to <sleepy> <chatty> b : giving occasion for (specified) action <teary> c : performing (specified) action <curly>

Variants of -Y

-y also -ey \ē; in some dialects, especially British, Southern, & New England, often i but not shown at individual entries\

Origin of -Y

Middle English, from Old English -ig; akin to Old High German -īg -y, Latin -icus, Greek -ikos, Sanskrit -ika