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-ious

  1. variant of -ous, added to stems of Latin origin, often with corresponding nouns ending in -ity: atrocious; hilarious.


-ious

suffix forming adjectives

  1. characterized by or full of Compare -eous

    suspicious

    ambitious

    religious

“Collins 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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Word History and Origins

Origin of -ious1

Middle English Latin -iōsus ( -i-, -ose 1 ) and Latin -ius (masculine singular adj. ending, as in varius )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of -ious1

from Latin -ius and -iōsus full of
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Example Sentences

In 2009, California, the largest state, nearly ran out of money and had to issue IOUs.

We need to stop writing IOUs to the next budget and delaying payments we know will come due.

Plus, the giving landed Pataki 101 IOUs from candidates throughout the country.

Ophid′ian, Ophid′ious, pertaining to serpents: having the nature of a serpent.

The hab-it of hold-ing these din-ners is a per-nic-ious one and must be stamp-ed out.

What, you're afraid of having what we call bill-ious fever, I suppose, eh?

Then looking around the room at the piles of ironed clothes, he added: "You sutny is a indust'ious ooman."

Bil′iary, belonging to or conveying bile; Bil′ious, pertaining to or affected by bile.

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