-ie

Origin

Earlier form of -y

Full definition of -ie

Suffix

1. Alternative form of -y forming diminutive or affectionate forms of nouns or names.
• 1869, Louisa May Alcott, An Old-Fashioned Girl:"Polly, I wish you 'd let me call you Marie," said Fanny one day, as they were shopping together."You may call me Mary, if you like; but I won't have any ie put on to my name. I'm Polly at home and I'm fond of being called so; but Marie is Frenchified and silly.""I spell my own name with an ie, and so do all the girls.""And what a jumble of Netties, Nellies, Hatties, and Sallies there is. How 'Pollie' would look spelt so!"
2. dear → deariesweet → sweetieKatherine → Kathie/CathyBill → Billy
3. (often derogatory) Suffix forming noun signifying person associated with suffixed noun or verb.bike → bikiesurf → surfietown → townie

Derived terms