How Do You Spell NESS?

Pronunciation: [nˈɛs] (IPA)

The word "ness" is commonly spelled with a single 's' despite having two distinct sounds represented by two different IPA phonemes. The first sound is a voiced alveolar fricative /z/ and the second sound is a voiceless alveolar fricative /s/. This spelling inconsistency is an example of the difficulties of spelling English words. In some cases, spelling may not accurately represent the pronunciation, leading to confusion for language learners and readers alike.

NESS Meaning and Definition

1. Ness is a noun suffix derived from the Old Norse word "nes," meaning "headland" or "promontory," and is commonly used in the English language to form nouns referring to headlands or promontories that jut out into bodies of water. It indicates a geographical feature or a notable piece of land that extends outward like a peninsula into a lake, sea, or ocean. In this context, it is primarily employed in place names, such as "Loch Ness" in Scotland or "Dungeness" in England.

   However, "ness" can also be a suffix denoting a quality, state, or condition. When used in this sense, it usually appears in words of Scottish or dialectal origin. It can indicate a particular instance of a quality, such as "happiness" expressing the state of being happy, or "darkness" representing the state of being dark. Alternatively, it can suggest a type or characteristic, like "tenderness" signifying the quality of being tender or gentle.

   In summary, "ness" primarily functions as a suffix in place names to specify a headland. Additionally, it serves as a suffix in words conveying a quality, state, or type. The usage and meaning of "ness" depend on its placement within a word and the context in which it is used.

2. In geog., any promontory or sudden projection of land into the sea-common as a postfix in names of places and capes-as Shoeburyness, Fifeness, Dungeness.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for NESS

• nwss
• nsss
• ndss
• nrss
• n4ss
• n3ss
• nezs
• nexs
• nesz
• nesx
• nbess
• jness
• njess
• nwess
• nsess
• nesss
• ndess
• nedss
• nerss
• n4ess
• ne4ss
• n3ess
• ne3ss
• neass
• nesas
• nezss
• neszs
• nexss
• nesxs
• neses
• nesws
• nessz
• nessx
• nessd
• nessw
• nss
• nses
• nness
• nmss
• ngss
• ne3s
• necs
• neqs
• nes3
• nesq
• n ess
• ne ss
• nes s

Etymology of NESS

The word "ness" has its origins in Old Norse, a North Germanic language spoken by the Vikings and their descendants. The Old Norse word "nes" meant "headland" or "promontory". It was borrowed into Scots and later into English, where it retained the meaning of a headland or cape, referring to a piece of land projecting into a body of water. Today, it commonly appears in place names in Scotland and the north of England, such as Inverness and Derness.

Similar spelling words for NESS

• news,
• newsy,
• NEES,
• NEZ,
• neosho,
• neck,
• Neese,
• nec,
• NEISS,
• NEIS,
• nease,
• nessie.