-(s)

suffix

Added to the end of a singular noun (which normally uses the suffix -s to become plural) to indicate that the noun represents an unknown number which may be one or more than one.

“The singer(s) perform(s) live.”

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Meanings

-(s)1

suffix
  1. Added to the end of a singular noun (which normally uses the suffix -s to become plural) to indicate that the noun represents an unknown number which may be one or more than one.

    The dog(s) got into the garden.

    1 more example

    The singer(s) will perform live.

-(s)2

suffix
  1. Added to the end of a verb in place of the suffix -s when the subject of the verb may be one or more than one.

    The singer(s) perform(s) live.

    1 more example

    The dog(s) get(s) into the garden.

Origin

-(s) · suffix

From -s (suffix forming regular plurals of nouns) and ( ) (encloses optional variants or variant elements).

Full word history & related roots →

-(s) · suffix

From -s (suffix forming the third-person singular indicative present tense of verbs) and ( ) (encloses optional variants or variant elements).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

-(s). (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-%28s%29

MLA

“-(s).” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-%28s%29. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “-(s),” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-%28s%29.

Source: -(s) on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.