The suffix ‘some’ added to an adjective generally means ‘tending to’ or ‘causing’. The list below shows some examples of these adjectives.
ADJECTIVE | MEANING |
adventuresome | inclined to take risks or try difficult things |
awesome | excellent, inspiring awe, very impressive |
bothersome | annoying, irritating, disturbing |
burdensome | hard to bear or difficult to do |
cuddlesome | endearing, pleasant to hug or cuddle |
cumbersome | large, heavy, difficult to carry or use |
fearsome | frightening, causing fear or timidity |
gruesome | horrifying or causing repulsion |
handsome | attractive, good-looking |
irksome | irritating, tedious, disagreeable |
loathsome | causing hatred or disgust |
lonesome | feeling lonely or solitary |
quarrelsome | tending to argue or provoke a dispute |
tiresome | boring, tedious, laborious |
troublesome | causing annoyance or difficulty |
wholesome | healthy, nutritious |
winsome | charming, appealing, sweet (e.g. a smile) |
worrisome | causing worry or concern |