-ery

Save This Word!

a suffix of nouns denoting occupation, business, calling or condition, place or establishment, goods or products, things collectively, qualities, actions, etc.: archery; bakery; cutlery; fishery; trickery; witchery.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of -ery

Middle English <Old French -erie, equivalent to -ier-er² + -ie-y³

Words nearby -ery

Ervin, Ervine, Erving, Erwin, Erwinia, -ery, Erymanthian boar, Erymanthus, eryngium, eryngo, erysipelas

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use -ery in a sentence

He was “v[ery] hot under the collar ... frustrated and mad, self-righteous.”
How the Reagan White House Bungled Its Response to Iran-Contra Revelations|Malcolm Byrne|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ape′dom; Ape′hood; Ap′ery, conduct of one who apes, any ape-like action: a colony of apes.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
Artill′erist, one skilled in artillery or gunnery; Artill′ery-man, a soldier of the artillery.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
Owl′ery, an abode of owls: (Carlyle) an owl-like character; Owl′et, a little or young owl.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various

Redeliv′erance; Redeliv′ery, the act of delivering back: a second delivery or liberation.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
Show′erless, without showers; Show′ery, abounding with showers.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for -ery

-ery

-ry

suffix forming nouns

indicating a place of business or some other activitybakery; brewery; refinery

indicating a class or collection of thingscutlery; greenery

indicating qualities or actions collectivelysnobbery; trickery

indicating a practice or occupationhusbandry

indicating a state or conditionslavery

Word Origin for -ery

from Old French -erie; see -er 1, -y ³

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