How Words Work

Many words are made up of a root (or base word) and a prefix. Some words also have a suffix. For example, the root word port means to carry or to bear. Attach the prefix ex, meaning out or out of, and you have the word export, to carry out. Attach the prefix im, meaning in or into and you have import, to carry in. Attach the prefix trans, meaning across, and you have transport, meaning to carry across. Now let's attach the suffix able, meaning able to be, and you have importable, exportable, and transportable. The very words prefix and suffix are good examples, too. Pre means before and fix means to fasten or attach, so quite literally, a prefix is something attached to the beginning of something else. Suf is a variant of sub, below or under, so a suffix is something fastened underneath something else (in this case, behind the root). By learning the common roots and prefixes (and a few suffixes) you will be able to discern the meaning of many new words almost immediately. (But do look them up for confirmation.) Take the word abject, for example. If you know that ab means away or down and ject means to throw, you can easily figure out that abject doesn't mean something happy. Rather abject's root meaning of thrown down is quite close to the dictionary defintion of cast down in spirit or sunk into depression. Note that some modern words are formed by using abbreviated forms of other words. Thus, we see the use of the letter i for Internet in iPhone, iPod, and iTunes, indicating that these items or services work with the Internet. Similarly, the use of e for electronic appears in words such as elearning (and various forms: eLearning, E-Learning, and so on), e-commerce, and e-business. The "e-terms" seem to have been coined before the "i-terms" became popular. And note that most of the "i-terms" are trademarks, while the others are general descriptors: "I'm going to download some iTunes from Apple's e-commerce site because I love e-music." At any rate, these abbreviated forms are not traditional prefixes, but because they are indeed attached to the front of what amounts to root words, they could be considered functional prefixes.

General Roots and Prefixes

Root or Prefix a, an ab Meaning not, without away, down, from, off Examples atheist, anarchy, anonymous apathy, aphasia, anemia, atypical, anesthesia absent, abduction, abstemious, abnormal, absorb acrobat, acrophobia, acromegaly, acropolis aberrant, abstract, acronym,

acro

high, tip, top

act

do, move

action, react, transaction, proactive, activity, activation, deactivate admit, addition, advertisement, adherent, admonish, address, adhesive, adept, adjust altitude, altimeter, alto, contralto, altocumulus, exalt ambulatory, amble, ambulance, somnambulist, perambulate,

ad

to, toward

alt ambul

high to walk

preamble anima ante anti, ant soul, life before against, opposite animation, inanimate, animal, anime, equanimity, animism, animus anteroom, antebellum, antecedent, antediluvian antedate

antisocial, antiseptic, antithesis, antibody, antichrist, antinomies, antifreeze, antipathy, antigen, antibiotic, antidote, antifungal, antidepressant army, armament, disarm, rearm, armistice, armor, armory, arms audience, auditory, audible, auditorium, audiovisual, audition, audiobook automobile, automatic, autograph, autonomous, autoimmune, autopilot, autobiography bedecked, besmirch, besprinkled, begrudge, begrime, belie, bemoan belligerent, rebel antebellum, bellicose,

arm audi

weapon to hear

auto

self

be

thoroughly

bell bene

war good, well

benefactor, beneficial, benevolent, benediction, beneficiary, benefit bicycle, bifocals, biceps, billion, binary, bivalve, bimonthly, bigamy, bimetal, biathlete, bicarbonate biology, biography, biodiversity, bioavailability, bioflavonoid, biofuel, biohazard, biomass, biorhythm succeed, proceed, precede, recede, secession, exceed, succession, excess chronology, chronic, chronicle, chronometer, anachronism fratricide, suicide, incision, excision, circumcision, precise, concise, precision, homicide, genocide, regicide circumnavigate, circumflex, circumstance, circumcision, circumference, circumorbital, circumlocution, circumvent, circumscribe, circulatory include, exclude, clause, claustrophobia, enclose, exclusive,

bi bio

two life, living

cede, ceed, cess

to go, to yield

chron cide, cis

time to kill, to cut

circum

around

clud, clus claus

to close

reclusive, conclude, preclude con, com with, together convene, compress, contemporary, converge, compact, confluence, concatenate, conjoin, combine, convert, compatible, consequence, contract contradict, counteract, contravene, contrary, counterspy, contrapuntal, contraband, contraception, contrast, controversy, counterfeit, counterclaim, counterargument, counterclaim, counterpoint, counterrevolution credo, credible, credence, credit, credential, credulity, incredulous, creed, incredible commune, community, communism, communicable, communication, commonality, incommunicado bicycle, cyclical, cycle, encliclical, motorcycle, tricycle, cyclone detach, deploy, derange, deodorize, devoid, deflate, degenerate, deice, descend, derail, depress, depart, decompose, destruction divinity, divine, deity, divination, deify, deism democracy, demagogue, epidemic, demographic diameter, diagonal, dialogue, dialect, dialectic, diagnosis, diachronic, diagram, diaphragm, dialysis, diarrhea predict, verdict, malediction, dictionary, dictate, dictum, diction, indict, contradict dismiss, differ, disallow, disperse, dissuade, disconnect, dysfunction, disproportion, disrespect, distemper, distaste, disarray, dyslexia produce, abduct, product, transducer, viaduct, aqueduct, induct, deduct, reduce, induce dynamic, dynamometer, heterodyne, dynamite, dynamo, dynasty ectomorph, ectoderm, ectopic, ectothermal ectoplasm,

contra, counter

against, opposite

cred

to believe

commun cycl de

to share circle, wheel from, down, away

dei, div demo dia

God, god people through, across, between

dict

speak

dis, dys, dif

away, not, negative

duc, duct

to lead, pull

dyn, dyna ecto

power outside, external

endo equi e, ex

inside, within equal out, away, from

endotoxin, endoscope, endogenous equidistant, equilateral, equilibrium, equinox, equitable, equation, equator emit, expulsion, exhale, exit, express, exclusive, enervate, exceed, explosion external, extrinsic, exterior, extraordinary, extrabiblical, extracurricular, extrapolate, extraneous, exterminator, extract, extradite, extraterrestrial, extrasensory, extravagant, extreme effluence, influence, effluvium, fluctuate, confluence, reflux, influx flexible, reflection, deflect, circumflex, inflection, reflex polygraph, grammar, biography, graphite, telegram, autograph, lithograph, historiography, graphic, electrocardiogram, monogram heterodox, heterogeneous, heterosexual, heterodyne homogenized, homosexual, homonym, homophone hyperactive, hypertensive, hyperbolic, hypersensitive, hyperventilate, hyperkinetic, hyperlink, hypertext, hypersonic, hypertrophy hypotension, hypodermic, hypoglycemia, hypoallergenic, hypothermia, hypothesis inviolate, innocuous, intractable, innocent, impregnable, impossible infrared, infrastructure, infrasonic international, intercept, intermission, interoffice, internal, intermittent, introvert, introduce intranet, intracranial, intravenous, intramural, intramuscular, intraocular reject, eject, project, trajectory, interject, dejected, inject, ejaculate monologue, dialogue, locution, colloquial, elocution, soliloquy, ventriloquist, apology, doxology, epilogue, logic, eulogy, loquacious

exter, extra

outside of

flu, flux flect, flex graph, gram

flow to bend to write

hetero homo hyper

other same over, above

hypo

below, less than

in, im infra inter, intro

not beneath between

intra jac, ject log, logo, loc. loq

within, into to throw word, speech, speak

mal

bad, badly

malformation, maladjusted, dismal, malady, malcontent, malfeasance, maleficent, malevolent, malice, malaria, malfunction, malignant megaphone, megalomaniac, megabyte, megalopolis mesomorph, mesosphere mesoamerica,

mega meso meta

great, million middle beyond, change

metaphor, metamorphosis, metabolism, metahistorical, metainformation, metacognitive perimeter, micrometer, ammeter, multimeter, altimeter, geometry, kilometer microscope, microprocessor, microfiche, micrometer, micrograph misinform, misinterpret, mispronounce, misnomer, mistake, misogynist, mistrial, misadventure, misanthrope, misread transmit, permit, missile, missionary, remit, admit, missive, mission polymorphic, morpheme, amorphous, metamorphosis, morphology, morphing multitude, multipartite, multiply, multipurpose, multicolored, multimedia, multinational neologism, neophyte neonate, neoclassic,

meter

measure

micro mis

small bad, badly

mit, miss morph

to send shape

multi

many

neo non

new not

nonferrous, nonabrasive, nondescript, nonfat, nonfiction, nonprofit, nonsense, nonentity omnipotent, omnivorous, omniscient, omnibus, omnirange, omnipresent general, pantheism, pandemic, panacea, panoply, pan-American, panchromatic, pandemonium, panorama paraprofessional, paramedic, paraphrase, parachute, paralegal, parallel, comparison permit, perspire, perforate, persuade, perceive, perfect, permit, perform periscope, periodontal perimeter, perigee,

omni pan

all all, whole, completely

para

beside

per peri

through, intensive around

phon phot poly port re

sound light many to carry back, again

telephone, phonics, phonograph, phonetic, homophone, microphone photograph, photosynthesis, photon polytheist, polygon, polymorphous polygamy,

porter, portable, report, transportation, deport, import, export report, realign, retract, revise, regain, reflect, rename, restate, recombine, recalculate, redo retrorocket, retrospect, retrogression, retroactive sanctify, sanctuary, sanction, sanctimonious, sacrosanct inscription, manuscript, scribe prescribe, proscribe, conscript, scribble,

retro sanct scrib, script

backwards holy to write

sect, sec semi spect sub

cut half to look under, below

intersect, transect, dissect, secant, section semifinal, semiconscious, semiannual, semimonthly, semicircle inspect, spectator, circumspect, retrospect, prospect, spectacle submerge, submarine, substandard, subnormal, subvert, subdivision, submersible, submit superior, suprarenal, superscript, supernatural, supercede, superficial, superhero, superimpose synthesis, synchronous, syndicate, synergy, snyopsis, syncretism television, telephone, telemetry, telepathy theology, pantheism, theophany theist, atheist, telegraph, polytheist, monotheist,

super, supra

above

syn tele theo, the

together distance, from afar God

therm, thermo tract

heat to drag, draw

thermal, thermometer, thermocouple, thermodynamic, thermoelectric attract, tractor, traction, extract, retract, protract, detract, subtract, contract, intractable transoceanic, transmit, transport, transducer, transit, intransitive uncooked, unharmed, unintended,

trans un

across not

unhappy, unremarkable veh, vect, vey to carry vector, vehicle, vehement, convey, conveyor

unenlightened, convection, conveyance,

vert, vers

to turn

convert, revert, advertise, versatile, vertigo, invert, reversion, extravert, introvert convention, prevent, intervention, convent, Advent, invent, inventory vermin, vermicelli, vermiculite, vermicide, vermiform, vermilion vital, vitality, vitamins, revitalize benevolent, malevolent volition, voluntary,

ven, vent verm vita vol vita

to come worm life to will life

vital, vitality, vitamins, revitalize

Number Prefixes
Prefix mono, uni Meaning one Examples monopoly, monotype, monologue, mononucleosis, monorail, monotheist, unilateral, universal, unity, unanimous, uniform divide, diverge, diglycerides, bifurcate, biweekly, bivalve, biannual, billion triangle, trinity, trilateral, triumvirate, tribune, trilogy, tricycle, trillion quadrangle, quadruplets, quaternary, quarter, quadrillion quintet, quintuplets, pentagon, pentane, pentameter, quintillion hexagon, hexameter, sextuplets, sextillion septet, septennial, September sestet, septillion,

bi, di

two

tri

three

quat, quad quint, penta hex, ses, sex sept oct non dec

four five six seven eight nine ten

octopus, octagon, octogenarian, octave, octillion, October nonagon, nonagenarian, nonillion decimal, decade, decalogue, decimate, decillion, December

cent mill, kilo mega giga tera peta exa zetta yotta milli micro nano

hundred thousand (10^3) million (10^6) billion (10^9) trillion (10^12) quadrillion (10^15) quintillion (10^18) sextillion (10^21) septilion (10^24) thousandth (10^-3) millionth (10^-6) billionth (10^-9)

centennial, centillion

century,

centipede,

millennium, kilobyte, kiloton megabyte, megawatt gigabyte, gigawatt megaton, gigaflop, megaflop, gigahertz,

terabyte, teraflop, terawatt petabyte exabyte zettabyte yottabyte millisecond, milligram, millivolt, milliwatt, millimeter, millipede microgram, microvolt, microwave, microsecond nanosecond, nanobucks, nanofarad, nanometer, nanomachine, nanotube, nanotechnology, nanogram, nanoscale picofarad, picocurie, picomole, picosecond femtosecond attosecond, attometer zeptosecond yoctosecond picogram,

pico femto atto zepto yocto

trillionth (10^-12) quadrillionth (10^-15) quintillionth (10^-18) sextillionth (10^-21) septillionth (10^-24)

A Handful of Suffixes

Suffix able, ible

Meaning able to be, capable of being

Examples pourable, drinkable, readable, washable, curable, visible, flexible, collectible performance, reliance, defiance, radiance, acceptance, ascendancy, discrepancy, infancy terminator, culminator, agitator, instigator, generator, incubator, accelerator, invigorator, elevator kingdom, freedom, wisdom,

ance, ancy

state of, process of

ator

one who does [the verb]

dom

condition, office, state

sheikdom, fiefdom, sheikdom ee one who receives payee, mortgagee, appointee, abductee, referee, refugee employee, examinee,

er, or

one who does [the verb]

driver, hiker, reader, manager, polisher, speaker, counselor, author, creator, director, sculptor frightful, delightful, wonderful, cupful, wakeful, bashful, bountiful, beautiful, cheerful, colorful, dreadful, fateful purify, deify, simplify, clarify, petrify, reify, exemplify, pacify purification, deification, simplifiction, clarification, petrification Cornish, Irish, bookish, freakish, foolish, boorish, selfish, sluggish, priggish

ful

filled with

ify ification

to make into process of making into

ish

the nature of, resembling

ism

capitalism, heroism, optimism, doctrine, system, skepticism, realism, patriotism, characteristic quality communism, idealism, conservatism one who performs; adherent of an ism an tympanist, cellist, idealist, communist, realist, moralist, pharamacist, pragmatist rationalize, normalize, realize, capitalize, sterilize, dramatize, utilize, colorize rationalization, realization, dramatization normalization, capitalization,

ist

ize

to make into

ization

the process of making into

less

without, lacking

loveless, fearless, worthless, nameless, baseless, bottomless, effortless, friendless, noiseless, harmless

After you have mastered the word roots and prefixes from my main word roots pages, you can further satisfy you hunger for knowledge without needing to order up a double double hamburger from In-N-Out (a local hamburger and cheeseburger chain). Root or Prefix Meaning Example Words agon to struggle agony, protagonist, antagonist, agony, agonize, Alg pain neuralgia, analgesic, nostalgic, Alter other alternative, alternator, alteration, altercation, alternate, Am friend amiable, amorous, amity, enamored, paramour, amicable Ambi both ambidextrous, ambivalent, ambiguous, ambient anim alive animated, animal, inanimate, animator, anime, animation, reanimate anthrop mankind anthropology, anthropomorphic, philanthrophy, misanthranthropology, anthropomorphic, philanthrophy, misanthropy eu good, well euphoria, eulogy, euphemism, eugenics, eucalyptus, eukaryote, eurythmics, euthanasia fore before, front forecast, forefather, foretaste, forehead, foreman, foreboding, forecastle, forearm, forebear, foreclose, foredoom, forego, forefoot, foreground, forehand, foreknowledge, foremost, foreordain, forerunner, foresee, foreshoren, foretell ortho straight orthodontics, orthodox, orthopedic, orthoscopic, orthostatic Post after postscript, postconsumer, postdoctoral, posterior, postimpact, postfeminism, postgraduate, posthumous, postimpressionism, postlude, postmodernism, postpone, postproduction Pre before, in front of prefix, predict, prelude, predetermined, preamplifier, predestination, prebiotic, preclude, predate, predisposed, preempt, preference, prefigure, prefrontal, preheat, prehistory, presell, presumptuous, prevent, previous, pretext,

pro

proto

quasi

ultra

under

pretentious, pretend forward propel, proceed, produce, promote, project, proclaim, procession, profess, proffer, professor, proficient, profile, profound, profuse, progenitor, progress, prolapse, prolegomenon, prolific, prologue, prolong, pronation, pronounce, propellant, prophesy, prophecy, proponent, prorate, proscribe, prosecute, prospect, protect, protest, provide, provoke first, earliest prototype, protoplasm, protohistory, protocol, protogalaxy, proton, prototypical, protozoa approximately, resembling, to quasiperiodical, quasiparticle, some degree quasi-governmental, quasiscientific, quasi-judicial, quasi-stellar, quasi-public beyond, extremely ultraviolet, ultrasonic, ultramarine, ultrafine, ultrasensitive, ultrawide, ultrapure, ultraquiet beneath, below, too little undercoat, underwear, underestimate, underbid, underexpose, undercut, underclassmen, undernourished, underground, undersized, underhand, underlay, undermine, underneath, underpass, underpowered, underline, understand, undertake, undertone, undertow, undervalue, underwrite