-phile

American  

Also -phil

1. a combining form meaning “lover of,” “enthusiast for” that specified by the initial element.

   Anglophile;

   bibliophile;

   demophile.

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-phile British  

combining form

1. indicating a person or thing having a fondness or preference for something specified

   bibliophile

   Francophile

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Usage

What does -phile mean? The combining form -phile is used like a suffix meaning “lover of” or "enthusiast of." It is often used in scientific and everyday terms, especially in biology and psychology. The form -phile comes from Greek -philos, meaning “dear, beloved.” The Latin translation, cārus, is the source of words such as caress, charity, and cherish. What are variants of -phile?In some rare instances in scientific terms, -phile drops its final -e- to become -phil, as in chromophil. Related to -phile are two other combining forms: -philia and -philiac. Want to know more? Check out our Words that Use articles for each form.

Etymology

Origin of -phile

From Latin -philus, -phila, from Greek -philos “dear, beloved” (occurring in proper names). Compare French -phile