Portuguese

Suffix

-ilho m ‎(feminine -ilha, plural -ilhos, feminine plural -ilhas)

1. forms diminutives

   trocado ‎(“switched”) + -ilho → trocadilho ‎(“pun; spoonerism”)

   esparto ‎(“esparto, a plant used in fibre production”) + -ilho → espartilho ‎(“corset”)

   andar ‎(“to walk”) + -ilho → andarilho ‎(“vagabond”)

Usage notes

Usually used when coining words with a different (and often derogatory) meaning, rather than giving the idea of small to the suffixed word (the more common function of diminutive).

Often found in Spanish loanwords containing -illo.

Synonyms

• (forms diminutives): -inho, -zinho, -ito, -culo, -ete