-ard

1. a suffix forming nouns that denote persons who regularly engage in an activity, or who are characterized in a certain way, as indicated by the stem; now usually pejorative:

   coward; dullard; drunkard; wizard.

-ard

suffix forming nouns

1. indicating a person who does something, esp to excess, or is characterized by a certain quality

   braggart

   drunkard

   dullard

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ard¹

Middle English < Old French, probably extracted from Frankish compound personal names; compare Old High German Adalhart ( French Alard ), Bernhart ( French Bernard ), with 2nd element -hart literally, strong, hardy, hard (cognate with Old English -heard in names), often merely as intensifier of quality denoted in 1st element.

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ard¹

via Old French from Germanic -hard (literally: hardy, bold), the final element in many Germanic masculine names, such as Bernhard Bernard, Gerhart Gerard, etc

Example Sentences

German sources told public broadcaster ARD that the defence company involved was Rheinmetall, Germany's biggest defence firm which has been heavily involved in supplying Ukraine with weapons, armoured vehicles and military equipment.

From BBC

The Sinn Féin ard fheis is being held in an indoor athletics arena here at the Technological University of the Shannon in Athlone.

From BBC

The ard fheis space in this impressive sporting arena is surrounded by a world class running track.

From BBC

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald is due to give a keynote speech to close the ard fheis on Saturday.

From BBC

You can watch Mary Lou McDonald's speech at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis and follow live coverage on the BBC News NI website from 18:00 BST.

From BBC