-ette
a noun suffix occurring originally in loanwords from French, where it has been used in a variety of hypocoristic formations (brunette; cigarette; coquette; etiquette; rosette); as an English suffix, -ette forms diminutives (kitchenette; novelette; sermonette), distinctively feminine nouns (majorette; usherette), and names of imitation products (leatherette).
Origin of -ette
1usage note For -ette
- Compare -et.
Words Nearby -ette
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use -ette in a sentence
The Bachelor/ette also has social consequences, said Littlejohn.
‘The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’: Inside the Racial Discrimination Lawsuit | Jennifer L. Pozner | May 21, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTBut he does believe The Bachelor/ette is missing an economic opportunity.
‘The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’: Inside the Racial Discrimination Lawsuit | Jennifer L. Pozner | May 21, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTClarice remarked, "The 'ette' is so small we can save steps by being within hand's reach of everything, no matter where we stand."
American Cookery | VariousThe great event of the summer was the arrest of the noted chiefs and raiders, Set-t'aite, Set-gya and do-ette, "Big-tree."
Corn-wal-lis turned back, and marched first to Rich-mond, and then to Will-iams-burg, while La-fay-ette kept close in his rear.
The Life of George Washington | Josephine Pollard
La-fay-ette gave chase the next day and took post nine miles from his camp.
The Life of George Washington | Josephine PollardIn three days he had to leave the dear old place, and with his guests push on to join La-fay-ette, who was at Will-iams-burg.
The Life of George Washington | Josephine Pollard
British Dictionary definitions for -ette
small: cigarette; kitchenette
female: majorette; suffragette
(esp in trade names) imitation: Leatherette
Origin of -ette
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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