-OID Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

-oid

a suffix meaning “resembling,” “like,” used in the formation of adjectives and nouns (and often implying an incomplete or imperfect resemblance to what is indicated by the preceding element):
alkaloid; anthropoid; cardioid; cuboid; lithoid; ovoid; planetoid.

-oid

suffix forming adjectives

indicating likeness, resemblance, or similarity
anthropoid

–o��

A suffix meaning “like” or “resembling,” as in ellipsoid, a geometric solid that resembles an ellipse.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of -oid¹

< Greek -�Ǳ𾱻�ŧ��, equivalent to -o- -o- + -�𾱻�ŧ�� having the form of, derivative of ��î��ǲ� form

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of -oid¹

from Greek -�Ǳ𾱻�ŧ�� resembling, form of, from eidos form

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�y��vlogs That Use -oid

What does -oid mean?

The suffix –oid means “resembling” or “like.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology.

The suffix –oid comes from Greek –�Ǳ𾱻�ŧ��, from ��î��ǲ� meaning “form.”

What are variants of –oid?

The plural form of –oid used in the names of zoological classes is –oidea, as in cynoidea. Want to know more? Read our �y��vlogs That Use article on –oidea.

Examples of -oid

An example of a word you may have encountered that features –oid is
factoid, “an insignificant or trivial fact.” It also refers to something presented as fact but is not necessarily true.

The fact– part of the word here literally means “fact,” as in “something that actually exists.” The suffix –oid means “resembling,” as we have seen. Factoid literally means “resembling a fact.”

What are some words that use the suffix –oid?

benzenoid
conoid (using the equivalent form of –oid in Greek)
erythroid
haploid
osteoid

What are some other forms that –oid may be commonly confused with?

-ode
-oic

Break it down!

The combining form oste– means “bone.” With this in mind, what does osteoid literally mean?

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