-ory

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an adjective-forming suffix, joined to bases of Latin origin in imitation of borrowed Latin words containing the suffix -tory1 (and its alternant -sory): excretory; sensory; statutory.

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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.

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Origin of -ory

Middle English -orie<Anglo-French; Old French -oire<Latin -ōrius, extracted from -tōrius-tory¹; see -or²

Words nearby -ory

Orwell, Orwell, George, Orwellian, or what, or whatever, -ory, Oryol, oryx, orzo, os, O.S.A.

Other definitions for -ory (2 of 2)

-ory²

a suffix forming nouns denoting places or receptacles, joined to bases of Latin origin in imitation of borrowed Latin words containing the suffix -tory2 (or its alternant -sory): crematory.

Origin of -ory

Middle English -orie<Anglo-French; Old French -oire<Latin -ōrium, extracted from -tōrium-tory²; see -ory¹, -or²

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

How to use -ory in a sentence

“It took a while for us to even go back to a church after all of that,” Ory said recently.
The Satanic Child Sex Abuse Case That May Have Inspired ‘True Detective’|Steven Ward|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ory recalled the Hosanna Church scandal as “very stressful.”
The Satanic Child Sex Abuse Case That May Have Inspired ‘True Detective’|Steven Ward|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cast: Josh Holloway, Marg Helgenberger, Meghan Ory, Michael Rady, John Billingsley, James Martinez, P.J. Byrne.
Fall-Winter TV Preview: Snap Judgments of 2013–14’s New Shows|Jace Lacob, Kevin Fallon|July 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Pill′ory, Pill′orise, to punish in the pillory: to expose to ridicule:—pa.t.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various

With Miller, as Hook said in his clever, punning way, all argument in favour of it proved Newgate-ory.
Old and New London|Walter Thornbury
What time wur you there, gintlemen, at Ory Thamis Buildings?
Cradock Nowell, Vol. 2 (of 3)|Richard Doddridge Blackmore
Consult′ing, of a physician or lawyer who gives advice; Consult′ive, pertaining to consultation; Consult′ory, Consult′atory.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
Detract′ive, Detrac′tious, Detract′ory, tending to detract: derogatory.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for -ory (1 of 2)

-ory¹

suffix forming nouns

indicating a place forobservatory

something having a specified usedirectory

Word Origin for -ory

via Old French -orie, from Latin -ōrium, -ōria

British Dictionary definitions for -ory (2 of 2)

-ory²

suffix forming adjectives

of or relating to; characterized by; having the effect ofcontributory; promissory

Word Origin for -ory

via Old French -orie, from Latin -ōrius

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