ic

Everyday

1. -ic is a suffix (word ending) that makes adjectives: magic, heroic, metallic, athletic; it means of or like. tree →
2. (abbreviation) IC stands for integrated circuit, a tiny electronic chip. tree →
3. (abbreviation) In some places I/C means in charge. tree →
4. On its own, ic is not an English word. tree →

In the lessons

In spelling and grammar lessons on suffixes (hero to heroic, atom to atomic); in computing, IC chips.

Examples

• Ic on its own is not a word. tree →
• Add -ic to hero to make heroic. tree →
• Words ending in -ic often add -ally to make adverbs: magic, magically. tree →
• A phone is full of IC chips. tree →
• The -ic ending in Arctic is easy to forget when you say it. tree →
• Volcano becomes volcanic with -ic. tree →
• And so a short answer is often spoken of as being la-con-ic; that is, as being such an answer as a Lacon would be likely to give. tree →

Note

Honest entry: a fragment and an abbreviation. Spelling trap: adverbs from -ic words end in -ically (basically, not basicly); public is the exception: publicly.