-ern


  1. an adjective suffix occurring with names of directions: northern; southern.

Origin of -ern

1
Middle English, Old English -erne; cognate with Old High German -rōni (as in nordrōni northern)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use -ern in a sentence

  • I reckon it'll be a stuffed fox your chil'ern 'll hunt, Mr. Steeve; more straw in 'em than bow'ls.

    Rhoda Fleming, Complete | George Meredith
  • I have a pig with a hole in it and if I ern enuf money next weak I will send it to you.

    Deer Godchild | Marguerite Bernard and Edith Serrell
  • In early England it is clear that the prevalent crop was barley, for barn is the bere-ern or barley-house.

  • "Seems to me you picked up a lot of silly rot on this trip East, Ern," said Roger.

    The Forbidden Trail | Honor Willsie
  • Of course I didn't confess my hu-mil-i-a-tion; I intimated that it was simply something a North-ern-er can't un-der-stand.

    John March, Southerner | George W. Cable