-ean

Origin

From Latin -ānus, following Latin stems ending in -e(us), -ē(us) (many from Ancient Greek -ηιος), or -æ(us) (many from Ancient Greek -αιος).

Full definition of -ean

Suffix

1. Forms adjectives, usually from proper nouns.

Usage notes

Almost all English words ending in "ean" are originally from Latin (Caesarean) or Greek (Euclidean). A few were later formed by adding -an to a stem or word ending in -ea (Korean), -es (Andean), or a silent -e (Boolean).

Derived terms