-ism

thumb|Cover of The Isms of Art (1925) by Jean Arp and [[El Lissitzky, listing many art movements such as constructivism, Dadaism, expressionism, among others.]]

Ism / -ism () is a suffix in many English words, originally derived from the Ancient Greek suffix (''''), and reached English through the Latin , and the French . It is used to create abstract nouns of action, state, condition, or doctrine, and is often used to describe philosophies, theories, religions, social movements, artistic movements, lifestyles, behaviors, scientific phenomena, or medical conditions. The suffix has also been used as an independent noun since the 17th century. The concept of an 'ism' can, and often does, resemble that of a grand narrative.