-ence
Latinstate, quality, or action
Suffix · means "state, quality, or action"
About the suffix -ence
Turns adjectives in -ent / -ant into nouns naming the matching state or quality (different → difference, important → importance), and some verbs into nouns of action (perform → performance, refer → reference). -ance and -ence are the same Latin suffix: the vowel follows the Latin verb stem, so the spelling has to be learned word by word. -ency / -ancy are variants that often describe a condition (fluency, pregnancy).
Roots often paired with -ence
Associated Words · 207
experience
knowledge gained over time; an event undergone; to undergo something
difference
a way things are not the same; the amount things differ
evidence
facts that indicate whether something is true
performance
a show or concert; how well something works
science
the systematic study of the natural world
conference
A formal meeting or large event for discussion and exchange of information
audience
People watching or listening to a performance; the intended viewers or readers of a work
insurance
A financial arrangement providing compensation for loss or risk
distance
The space between two points; emotional remoteness; to keep away from
presence
The state of being present in a place; a commanding personal quality
influence
power to affect or change; to affect someone
intelligence
The ability to learn and understand; secret information about an enemy
importance
The quality of being significant or worthy of attention
consequence
A result or effect of an action; importance
appearance
The way someone or something looks; the act of coming into sight
emergency
A sudden dangerous situation requiring immediate action
confidence
Belief in one's own abilities; firm trust in someone or something
reference
a mention or citation; a source to consult
sentence
A grammatical unit of words; a court-imposed punishment; to condemn to punishment
existence
The state of being real or alive
independence
The state of being free from control or reliance on others
absence
The state of being away or not present; a lack of something
license
An official permit; to grant official permission
significance
Importance; meaning or message conveyed