The suffix ‘less’ is used in the English language to form adjectives that indicate the absence or lack of something. When ‘less’ is added to the end of a word, it modifies the meaning of the base word to suggest that whatever is described is missing a certain quality or quantity.
For example, the word ‘hopeless’ conveys a sense of having no hope. Similarly, ‘careless’ describes someone who does not show care or attention. In these cases, ‘less’ transforms the base noun—’hope’ or ‘care’—into an adjective that emphasizes the deficiency.
Understanding the use of ‘less’ can enhance your vocabulary and help you express the absence of various attributes more effectively. It’s a common suffix in English that conveys something is less than it should be or completely devoid of a specific quality.