-ence

Save This Word!

a noun suffix equivalent to -ance, corresponding to the suffix -ent in adjectives: abstinence; continence; dependence; difference.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of -ence

Middle English <Old French <Latin -entia, equivalent to -ent--ent + -ia-y³

Words nearby -ence

encase, encasement, encash, encastré, encaustic, -ence, enceinte, Enceladus, encephal-, encephalalgia, encephalasthenia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use -ence in a sentence

Of course circumstances make a differ ence in the desires of men, but the general original tendency is as stated.
The Science of Human Nature|William Henry Pyle
Pres′ence-cham′ber, -room, the chamber or room in which a great personage receives company.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
Folks calls 'im Laz'rus in ref'ence to de Bible chil' what riz up jes' same way lak', outen de daid col' tomb.
The Faith Healer|William Vaughn Moody
The refer ence to O-Kuni seems to me extremely severe; for her story is very beautiful and touching.
The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 2|Elizabeth Bisland

Well, sir, it didn't make no diff'ence whether we'd been did befo' or not, he 'lowed thet he wanted to see us vaccinated ag'in.
Sonny, A Christmas Guest|Ruth McEnery Stuart

British Dictionary definitions for -ence

-ence

-ency

suffix forming nouns

indicating an action, state, condition, or qualitybenevolence; residence; patience

Word Origin for -ence

via Old French from Latin -entia, from -Ä“ns, present participial ending

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Â© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Â© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Sep	OCT	Nov
	13
2020	2021	2022