Suffix -HOOD

Suffix -HOOD in English (Meaning, Examples & Usage) | B2–C1

Hello English learners! Today, we will explore the suffix –hood, a common ending in English used to describe states, periods of life, roles, relationships, and conditions. Understanding –hood will help you recognise meanings more easily, expand your vocabulary, and sound more natural in B2–C1 writing and speaking, especially in descriptive and reflective topics.

What does the suffix –hood mean?

The suffix –hood is used to form nouns that describe:

• a stage of life
• a state or condition
• a social role or relationship
• a shared identity or community

It often answers the question:

What is the state or period of being X?

Life stages

Childhood

the period of being a child

My childhood was filled with memories of playing outdoors.

Boyhood

the period of being a young boy

He often reminisced about the adventures of his boyhood.

Girlhood

the period of being a young girl

Her girlhood was spent in a quiet countryside village.

Adulthood

the stage of being an adult

Financial independence is one of the biggest challenges of adulthood.

Family roles and relationships

Motherhood

the state of being a mother

She embraced motherhood with patience and love.

Fatherhood

the role or condition of being a father

Fatherhood taught him responsibility and empathy.

Parenthood

the state of being a parent

Parenthood brings both joy and lifelong responsibility.

Brotherhood

a close bond or community, often among men

The soldiers developed a strong sense of brotherhood.

Sisterhood

a bond of solidarity and support among women

The organisation promotes sisterhood and mutual respect.

Social and personal states

Manhood

the qualities or condition of being a man

In some cultures, rituals mark the transition into manhood.

Womanhood

the qualities or condition of being a woman

Her poetry celebrated strength and resilience in womanhood.

Bachelorhood

the state of being an unmarried man

He enjoyed the independence of bachelorhood.

Widowhood

the state of having lost a spouse

Widowhood brought many challenges, but she remained resilient.

Place, work, and society

Neighbourhood

a local area where people live

The neighbourhood was quiet and friendly.

Livelihood

a means of earning money to live

Fishing was his main livelihood.

Priesthood

the position or state of being a priest

He dedicated his life to the priesthood.

Knighthood

the rank or title of a knight

She was awarded knighthood for her contributions to science.

Statehood

the condition of being an independent state or nation

The country achieved statehood after years of struggle.

Abstract qualities

Falsehood

a lie or something untrue

The investigation revealed the falsehood of his claims.

Hardhood (rare / literary)

physical or moral toughness; endurance

His hardhood helped him survive harsh conditions.

Quick pattern summary

• life stage → childhood, adulthood
• family role → motherhood, fatherhood, parenthood
• social bond → brotherhood, sisterhood
• condition or status → widowhood, bachelorhood, statehood

Words with –hood are often formal or neutral and work beautifully in personal essays, opinion writing, descriptive tasks and Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced speaking.

Learn about the suffix -SHIP here

Learn about adjective suffixes in English here

50 formal and informal noun pairs here

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