Singular & Plural – By adding -es to nouns ending in -ch, -s, -sh, -ss, -x, and -z (List)

In English, while many nouns adopt a simple “-s” to indicate their plural form, there are specific instances where this pattern doesn’t suffice due to phonetic challenges. In such scenarios, “-es” comes to the rescue to ensure that the word remains easy to pronounce and sounds harmonious to the ear. The “-es” suffix serves as a phonetic bridge, enabling smoother transitions between sounds that might otherwise clash or become muddled.

Here’s a comprehensive list of nouns that form plural by adding “es” –

Nouns ending in -ch

Singular	Plural	Short Meaning
Church	Churches	Religious building
Peach	Peaches	Type of fruit
Witch	Witches	Magical person
Torch	Torches	Light source
Arch	Arches	Curved structure
Branch	Branches	Tree limb; division
Patch	Patches	Small piece of cloth
Match	Matches	Game; or tool for fire
Pouch	Pouches	Small bag
Lurch	Lurches	Sudden movement
Fetch	Fetches	Retrieve something
Clutch	Clutches	Group; to grasp
Hunch	Hunches	Intuition; bent posture
Notch	Notches	V-shaped cut
Punch	Punches	Strike; drink
Stitch	Stitches	Loop of thread
Finch	Finches	Type of bird
Porch	Porches	Covered entrance to a building
Roach	Roaches	Type of fish; cockroach
Beach	Beaches	Sandy shore
Couch	Couches	Sofa
Birch	Birches	Type of tree
Perch	Perches	Sitting position; type of fish
Broach	Broaches	Raise a subject for discussion
Crunch	Crunches	Chewing noise; core exercise
Etch	Etches	Engrave
Hatch	Hatches	Opening; to emerge from an egg
Winch	Winches	Lifting device
Belch	Belches	Expel air from stomach
Quench	Quenches	Satisfy thirst; extinguish
Botch	Botches	Mess up; bungle
Wretch	Wretches	Miserable person
Munch	Munches	Eat noisily
Smooch	Smooches	Affectionate kiss
Snitch	Snitches	Informer; to inform on someone
Screech	Screeches	Loud, high-pitched noise
Conch	Conches	Marine mollusk
Clench	Clenches	Close tightly
Flinch	Flinches	Sudden movement in response
Pinch	Pinches	Squeeze between fingers
Cinch	Cinches	Secure; a sure thing
Blanch	Blanches	Whiten; boil briefly
Drench	Drenches	Soak
Stretch	Stretches	Extend
Slouch	Slouches	Stooped posture

Nouns ending in -s

Singular	Plural	Short Meaning
Bus	Buses	Vehicle for mass transport
Lens	Lenses	Optical piece
Atlas	Atlases	Collection of maps
Oasis	Oases	Desert water source
Canvas	Canvases	Durable fabric; artwork surface
Virus	Viruses	Infectious agent
Circus	Circuses	Entertainment venue
Campus	Campuses	University grounds
Bass	Basses	Type of fish; low sound
Thesis	Theses	Statement or theory
Pass	Passes	To move; ticket
Dress	Dresses	Garment for women
Class	Classes	Group of students; category
Gloss	Glosses	Shine; brief explanation
Crisis	Crises	Critical event or time
Axis	Axes	Imaginary line in geometry
Fuss	Fusses	Unnecessary excitement
Mass	Masses	Large body; religious service
Press	Presses	Push; media institution
Process	Processes	Series of actions
Bonus	Bonuses	Extra reward or payment
Nexus	Nexuses	Connection
Focus	Focuses	Central point
Cactus	Cactuses	Spiky desert plant – traditional plural is “cacti” following Latin pluralization, but “cactuses” is also accepted in modern usage
Bypass	Bypasses	Alternative route
Ellipsis	Ellipses	Omission of words “…”
Hypnosis	Hypnoses	State of deep relaxation
Impetus	Impetuses	Driving force
Precis	Precises	Summary
Walrus	Walruses	Large marine mammal
Census	Censuses	Official population count
Consensus	Consensuses	General agreement
Lotus	Lotuses	Type of flower
Caucus	Caucuses	Political meeting
Excess	Excesses	Amount beyond necessary
Egress	Egresses	Way out; exit
Recess	Recesses	Break; alcove
Abacus	Abacuses	Counting device
Success	Successes	Achievement of an aim
Cross	Crosses	Intersection; religious symbol
Trespass	Trespasses	Unlawful entry
Witness	Witnesses	Person who sees an event

Nouns ending in -sh

Singular	Plural	Short Meaning
Bush	Bushes	Shrubby plant
Dish	Dishes	Plate; food container
Radish	Radishes	Edible root vegetable
Wish	Wishes	Desire or hope
Brush	Brushes	Tool with bristles
Fish	Fishes	Aquatic animals. “Fishes” is used for multiple species.
Polish	Polishes	Substance to shine or smooth
Thrash	Thrashes	Beat or flail about
Flash	Flashes	Sudden burst of light
Crash	Crashes	Collision or failure
Splash	Splashes	Liquid scatter
Slush	Slushes	Melted snow
Plush	Plushes	Rich fabric
Blush	Blushes	Face reddening; makeup
Marsh	Marshes	Wetland area
Lash	Lashes	Eyelash or whip
Dash	Dashes	Quick movement; punctuation
Ash	Ashes	Residue of fire
Furnish	Furnishes	Supply with furniture
Relinquish	Relinquishes	Voluntarily give up
Leash	Leashes	Cord for holding animals
Banish	Banishes	Exile or dismiss
Whiplash	Whiplashes	Injury; backlash of whip
Trash	Trashes	Garbage
Mesh	Meshes	Material with spaces
Squash	Squashes	Crush; type of vegetable
Garnish	Garnishes	Decorate or accessorize
Tarnish	Tarnishes	Lose luster or reputation
Brush	Brushes	Implement with bristles
Cushion	Cushions	Soft pillow or pad
Flush	Flushes	Reddening of the skin; flow
Hush	Hushes	Silence
Swish	Swishes	Swooshing sound or movement
Parish	Parishes	Church territory
Standish	Standishes	Inkstand or pen holder
Ambush	Ambushes	Surprise attack
Thrush	Thrushes	Bird species; mouth infection
Fetish	Fetishes	Object of obsession
Vanquish	Vanquishes	Defeat thoroughly
Ravish	Ravishes	Seize with delight or force
Brandish	Brandishes	Wave or flourish
Finish	Finishes	Complete the end
Garnish	Garnishes	Decoration or trim
Demolish	Demolishes	Destroy completely
Refurbish	Refurbishes	Renovate or redecorate
Diminish	Diminishes	Make or become less

Nouns ending in -ss

Singular	Plural	Short Meaning
Glass	Glasses	Transparent material; drinking vessel
Class	Classes	Group of students; category
Grass	Grasses	Green plants in lawns
Dress	Dresses	Garment for women
Press	Presses	Printing device; media institution
Stress	Stresses	Pressure; emphasis
Compass	Compasses	Navigation tool
Mess	Messes	Disorder; portion of food
Pass	Passes	Ticket; to go by
Moss	Mosses	Small green plants
Address	Addresses	Location; speech
Witness	Witnesses	Observer of an event
Process	Processes	Series of actions
Recess	Recesses	Break; alcove
Fortress	Fortresses	Stronghold; large fort
Mistress	Mistresses	Woman in a position of authority; lover
Gloss	Glosses	Shine; brief explanation
Bypass	Bypasses	Alternative route
Bass	Basses	Type of fish; low sound
Chess	Chesses	Board game
Success	Successes	Achievement of an aim
Access	Accesses	Means of entering
Recess	Recesses	Break; alcove
Distress	Distresses	Extreme anxiety or pain
Excess	Excesses	Amount beyond necessary
Harness	Harnesses	Equipment for controlling horses
Pass	Passes	Routes; tickets
Mattress	Mattresses	Bed cushion
Tress	Tresses	Lock of hair
Witness	Witnesses	Person who sees an event
Abyss	Abysses	Deep chasm or void
Cress	Cresses	Edible water plant
Press	Presses	Device for pressing
Mass	Masses	Bulk; religious service
Gloss	Glosses	Luster; explanatory note
Empress	Empresses	Female ruler
Hostess	Hostesses	Female host
Mistress	Mistresses	Woman in control
Chess	Chesses	Strategy board game
Bypass	Bypasses	Alternative route
Fortress	Fortresses	Strong military building
Recess	Recesses	Alcove; break period
Distress	Distresses	Pain; suffering

Nouns ending in -x

Singular	Plural	Short Meaning
Box	Boxes	Container
Fox	Foxes	Wild mammal
Matrix	Matrices	Rectangular array of numbers
Index	Indices	List; indicator
Vertex	Vertices	Highest point; corner point
Complex	Complexes	Building group; intricate system
Appendix	Appendices	Supplementary material; organ
Helix	Helices	Spiral structure
Tax	Taxes	Mandatory financial charge
Reflex	Reflexes	Automatic response to stimulus
Syntax	Syntaxes	Arrangement of words
Prefix	Prefixes	Word starter
Vortex	Vortices	Whirling mass
Larynx	Larynges	Voice box
Paradox	Paradoxes	Contradictory statement
Toolbox	Toolboxes	Container for tools
Context	Contexts	Surrounding circumstances
Flux	Fluxes	Flow; change
Annex	Annexes	Add-on building; addition
Multiplex	Multiplexes	Multiple movie theater
Suffix	Suffixes	Word ending
Hoax	Hoaxes	Deception; false report
Plexus	Plexuses	Network of nerves or vessels
Apex	Apices	Top or highest part
Convex	Convexes	Curved outward
Minx	Minxes	Mischievous woman or girl
Fix	Fixes	Solution; attachment
Hex	Hexes	Spell or curse
Beaux	Beauxes	Boyfriends; suitors
Lux	Luxes	Unit of illumination
Influx	Influxes	Inflow
Detox	Detoxes	Process of removing toxins
Simplex	Simplexes	Single; uncomplicated
Affix	Affixes	Attachment; to attach
Efflux	Effluxes	Outflow
Outbox	Outboxes	Outgoing mail container
Redux	Reduxes	Brought back
Pox	Poxes	Disease
Sphinx	Sphinxes	Mythical creature; statue
Lynx	Lynxes	Wildcat with tufted ears
Equinox	Equinoxes	Time when day and night are equal
Coax	Coaxes	To persuade gently
Relax	Relaxes	To rest; ease

Nouns ending in -z

Singular	Plural	Short Meaning
Buzz	Buzzes	Sound of bees
Fizz	Fizzes	Sound of effervescence
Whizz	Whizzes	Sound or movement of speed
Quiz	Quizzes	Test of knowledge
Wiz	Wizes	Expert; wizard
Fez	Fezzes	Hat
Fuzz	Fuzzes	Soft, light particles or fibers
Jazz	Jazzes	Music genre
Razz	Razzes	To tease or mock
Frizz	Frizzes	Curly or fuzzy hair
Pizzazz	Pizzazzes	Attractive style or energy
Topaz	Topazes	Gemstone
Tzitz	Tzitzes	Jewish ritual fringe
Chez	Chezes	At the home of (French origin)
Schnoz	Schnozzes	Nose (slang)
Spazz	Spazzes	Sudden movement (slang)
Blitz	Blitzes	Fast attack
Glitz	Glitzes	Glamour or ostentation
Lutz	Lutzes	Type of jump in figure skating
Putz	Putzes	Foolish person (slang)
Hertz	Hertzes	Frequency unit
Waltz	Waltzes	Dance
Spritz	Spritzes	Spray
Ritz	Ritzes	Luxury, high-class
Schnitz	Schnitzes	Slices or bits
Razzmatazz	Razzmatazzes	Flashy display or action

The adaptation of “-es” in these cases showcases the flexibility of the English language, pivoting phonetically to accommodate clearer communication. It’s a testament to the language’s evolving nature, always adapting to ensure comprehensibility and ease of use.