We were reading about ethnographic studies in an academic English class this week and one of the students noticed the word ‘officialdom’ in the text. She knew the adjective official, (meaning being related to an official body and its activities and responsibilities), and she knew the noun official (meaning a person who holds public office), but did not recognise the word 'officialdom'. Many words in English end with the suffix dom.
First, match the 9 words ending in ‘dom’ with their definition. Next, complete the sentences by choosing the correct word.
Word | Definition |
1. officialdom | a. the state of being very famous |
2. martyrdom | b. a country or state ruled by a monarch |
3. boredom | c. the death or suffering of a martyr |
4. kingdom | d. something that rarely happens |
5. random | e. a negative description of those working in an organisation |
6. seldom | f. the quality of having good judgement |
7. wisdom | g. the state of feeling weary because of a lack of interest |
8. stardom | h. the right to think, do, and say what you want |
9. freedom | i. done without method or decision |
Complete the sentences with the correct word:
- It can be very tiring trying to battle with _________ when you want to get something done.
- The priest read a sermon about the _________ of Saint Anthony.
- _________ is something my children often complain about on long car journeys.
- We went on holiday last year to the _________ of the Netherlands.
- We chose the restaurant to go to at _________ as we didn’t know which was best.
- I _________ go to the gym as I find it very boring.
- The author’s books showed that he was full of _________ about the economy.
- Many people nowadays are keen to chase _________.
- _________ of choice is an important ideal in many countries.