DETERMINE THE MEANING OF A WORD WITH -FUL OR -LESS
Key Notes:
| -ful: Full Of |
The suffix -ful means “full of”. When you add -ful to a word, it means the word now describes something having that quality.
Examples:
- Help + ful = Helpful (full of help, able to help)
- Joy + ful = Joyful (full of joy, happy)
- Care + ful = Careful (full of care, cautious)
- Wonder + ful = Wonderful (full of wonder, amazing)
- Beauty + ful = Beautiful (full of beauty, pretty)
Let’s try some more!
- If something is harmful, what is it full of?
- If something is peaceful, what is it full of?
- If something is tasteful, what is it full of?
| -less: Without |
The suffix -less means “without”. When you add -less to a word, it means the word now describes something not having that quality.
Examples:
- Care + less = Careless (without care, not careful)
- Fear + less = Fearless (without fear, brave)
- Home + less = Homeless (without a home, having no home)
- Use + less = Useless (without use, not helpful)
- Spot + less = Spotless (without spots, very clean)
Now, some more practice:
- If someone is thoughtless, what are they without?
- If something is endless, what does it not have?
- If a room is colorless, what does it not have?
| Exercise Time! |
Read each sentence and fill in the blank with the correct word, using either -ful or -less.
- The puppy was so ____________, wagging its tail and licking everyone. (joy)
- It’s ____________ to try and open the door without the key. (use)
- Be ____________ when you cross the street; look both ways! (care)
- The knight was ____________ in the face of danger. (fear)
- The garden was ____________ with colorful flowers blooming everywhere. (beauty)
Answer Key:
- joyful
- useless
- careful
- fearless
- beautiful
More Practice
Can you think of other words that end in -ful or -less? Write them down and explain what they mean!
Summary
Today, we learned that the suffixes -ful and -less change the meaning of words. -Ful means “full of,” and -less means “without.” Understanding these suffixes can help you figure out what new words mean!
Let’s practice🖊️
