Adjectives Ending in -LESS
In English, we can form many adjectives by adding the suffix -less to a noun. The suffix -less means without or lacking, and it is often used to describe a negative quality, condition, or situation. Learning these adjectives will help you expand your vocabulary and express ideas more precisely in both speaking and writing. Below is a list of common adjectives ending in -less, each with a clear meaning and an example sentence.
Careless
Meaning: not paying enough attention or not being careful.
Tom had to pay a fine for careless driving.
Tom had to pay a fine for careless driving.
Endless
Meaning: seeming to have no end.
The queue at the supermarket seemed endless.
The queue at the supermarket seemed endless.
Fearless
Meaning: having no fear.
Sara is a fearless woman who has always dreamed of working for the police.
Sara is a fearless woman who has always dreamed of working for the police.
Harmless
Meaning: not capable of causing harm or damage.
Don’t worry about the dog — it’s completely harmless.
Don’t worry about the dog — it’s completely harmless.
Heartless
Meaning: cruel or lacking compassion.
Anyone who abandons their pets is truly heartless.
Anyone who abandons their pets is truly heartless.
Helpless
Meaning: unable to do anything to improve a situation.
They felt helpless during the violent storm.
They felt helpless during the violent storm.
Homeless
Meaning: without a place to live.
Thousands of people were left homeless after the earthquake.
Thousands of people were left homeless after the earthquake.
Hopeless
Meaning: without hope or impossible to improve.
Despite their efforts, stopping the fire felt hopeless.
Despite their efforts, stopping the fire felt hopeless.
Jobless
Meaning: unemployed.
Although he has applied for many jobs, he has been jobless for months.
Although he has applied for many jobs, he has been jobless for months.
Mindless
Meaning: lacking thought or purpose.
She dislikes films full of mindless violence.
Painless
Meaning: causing no pain.
The procedure was quick and completely painless.
The procedure was quick and completely painless.
Powerless
Meaning: having no control or ability to change a situation.
She felt powerless to help her sick child.
She felt powerless to help her sick child.
Priceless
Meaning: extremely valuable or impossible to replace.
Family photographs are often priceless.
Family photographs are often priceless.
Restless
Meaning: unable to relax or stay still.
He became restless while waiting for news.
He became restless while waiting for news.
Senseless
Meaning: meaningless or foolish.
The attack was a senseless act of violence.
The attack was a senseless act of violence.
Sleepless
Meaning: unable to sleep.
She spent many sleepless nights worrying about money.
She spent many sleepless nights worrying about money.
Speechless
Meaning: unable to speak because of shock or emotion.
He stood there, speechless, after hearing the news.
He stood there, speechless, after hearing the news.
Tasteless
Meaning: having little or no flavour.
The soup was bland and tasteless.
The soup was bland and tasteless.
Useless
Meaning: not effective or helpful.
The broken remote was completely useless.
The broken remote was completely useless.
Worthless
Meaning: having no value.
The ticket is worthless without identification.
The ticket is worthless without identification.
Final tip for learners
Most adjectives ending in -less express something negative or lacking, but not all of them are negative in meaning — priceless, for example, is very positive. Learning word families like care → careful → careless is a powerful way to build vocabulary naturally and confidently.
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1 Comment
Suffixes that Form Adjectives - My Lingua Academy · 6 Jan 2024 at 9:26 pm
[…] Find out more about the adjectives ending in -less on this link […]