-ier
Meaning
spelling of the suffix sequence -y followed by -er, or of any word ending in -(e)y suffixed with -er.
Forming nouns denoting occupations, particularly with words from French.
spelling of the suffix sequence -y followed by -er, or of any word ending in -(e)y suffixed with -er.
spelling of the suffix sequence -y followed by -er, or of any word ending in -(e)y suffixed with -er.
Examples
dicey → dicier; clayey → clayier; gluey → gluier; happy → happier; scary → scarier; tomatoey → tomatoier
clothier, perfumier
Etymology
From Middle English -ier, -iere from verbs ending in -ien + -ere, later extended to form other nouns (e.g. Middle English clothyer, glasiere, lovier, tiliere). Later reinforced by Middle French and modern French -ier, largely in words more recently borrowed from or influenced by French (e.g. cashier, financier, etc.). Doublet of -ar, -ary, -eer, and -yer.