-oid

1. a suffix meaning “resembling,” “like,” used in the formation of adjectives and nouns (and often implying an incomplete or imperfect resemblance to what is indicated by the preceding element):

   alkaloid; anthropoid; cardioid; cuboid; lithoid; ovoid; planetoid.

-oid

suffix forming adjectives

1. indicating likeness, resemblance, or similarity

   anthropoid

–oid

1. A suffix meaning “like” or “resembling,” as in ellipsoid, a geometric solid that resembles an ellipse.

Word History and Origins

Origin of -oid¹

< Greek -oeidēs, equivalent to -o- -o- + -eidēs having the form of, derivative of eîdos form

Word History and Origins

Origin of -oid¹

from Greek -oeidēs resembling, form of, from eidos form

Example Sentences

It came 31 days after Eddie Howe's side recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory at OId Trafford in the Carabao Cup.

From BBC

Thompson played alongside Boutier, a member at OId American.

From Seattle Times

A Russian spy at the British embassy in Berlin was caught by a sting operation, the OId Bailey has heard.

From BBC

Simeone was pelted with missiles as he walked to the tunnel after United's 1-0 loss at OId Trafford.

From BBC

It raised US$4bn from the sale of three-year debt, paying an 11.5% coupon at 99 OID and another US$2.25bn from equity-linked securities.

From Reuters

Words That Use -oid

What does -oid mean?

The suffix –oid means “resembling” or “like.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology.

The suffix –oid comes from Greek –oeidēs, from eîdos meaning “form.”

What are variants of –oid?

The plural form of –oid used in the names of zoological classes is –oidea, as in cynoidea. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on –oidea.

Examples of -oid

An example of a word you may have encountered that features –oid is
factoid, “an insignificant or trivial fact.” It also refers to something presented as fact but is not necessarily true.

The fact– part of the word here literally means “fact,” as in “something that actually exists.” The suffix –oid means “resembling,” as we have seen. Factoid literally means “resembling a fact.”

What are some words that use the suffix –oid?

• benzenoid
• conoid (using the equivalent form of –oid in Greek)
• erythroid
• haploid
• osteoid

What are some other forms that –oid may be commonly confused with?

• -ode
• -oic

Break it down!

The combining form oste– means “bone.” With this in mind, what does osteoid literally mean?