-el

/əl//l̩/

suffix

Suffix forming nouns, originally denoting an instrument, from verbs, usually spelt -le except after n and e.

“runnel, shovel, dotel”

Similar
-cule-ee-et-ette-icle-ie-kin-le
OriginMiddle English -el ← Old English -el ← Proto-Germanic *-ilaz →
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Meanings

-el1

suffix

alternative -le · alternative -al

  1. Suffix forming nouns, originally denoting an instrument, from verbs, usually spelt -le except after n and e.

    runnel, shovel, dotel

  2. Diminutive suffix in words of Germanic origin.

    hatchel, hovel, gomerel

    Synonyms: -cule, -ee, -et, -ette, -icle, -ie, -kin, -le

-el2

suffix
  1. Suffix, originally diminutive, in words of mostly Romance origin.

    cupel, chapel, tunnel

Synonyms & antonyms

suffixDiminutive suffix in words of Germanic origin.

Similar
-cule-ee-et-ette-icle-ie-kin-le-let-ling-ole-ule-ymini-micro-nano-
Also see
-cule-ee-et-ette-icle-ie-kin-le-let-lingmicro-mini-nano--ole-ule-y

Origin

-el · suffix

  1. Proto-Germanic*-ilaz
  2. Old English-el
  3. Middle English-el
  4. English-el

From Middle English -el, from Old English -el, from Proto-Germanic *-ilaz.

More words from Middle English, Old English, Proto-Germanic

Full word history & related roots →

-el · suffix

  1. Latin-ellus
  2. Old French-el
  3. Old English-el
  4. Middle English-el
  5. English-el

From Middle English -el, a merger of two suffixes: * Old English -el (diminutive suffix) * Old French -el (diminutive suffix), from Latin -ellus

More words from Middle English, Old English, Old French

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

-el. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-el

MLA

“-el.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-el. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “-el,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-el.

Source: -el on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.