PREFIXESR1.3.3

Prefixes are small but meaningful letter groups added in front of a base word or root that contribute to the meaning of a word. Knowing the meaning of these prefixes—together with the meaning of common base words and Greek and Lain roots—will give students the tools for unlocking the meanings of hundreds of words. In addition to teaching these prefixes directly, it is a good idea to explain prefixes and their meanings when students encounter them in new vocabulary words throughout the year. Beginning prefixes are among the most common prefixes in the English language and then to form easier words than those in Intermediate to Advanced. You may wish to use the special list of prefixes expressing numbers (many of which appear in the special list of prefixes expressing numbers (many of which also appear in Intermediate to Advanced) to form the basis of a lesson on number words.

BEGINNING PREFIXES Prefix Meaning Examples anti- against antiwar, antisocial, antislavery, antifreeze

dis- not, opposite disappear, disagree, disarm, dishonest, discontinue

ex- former ex-president, ex-student, ex-athlete, ex-teacher, ex-king

im-, in- not impossible, impassable, immobilize, immature, imbalanceinaccurate, invisible, inactive, indecisive, independent

inter- among, between Internet, international, intermission, intervene, interrupt

intra- within intramural, intrastate, intravenous, intranet, intramuscular

Prefix Meaning Examples micro- small, short microphone, microscope, microwave,

microbe, microfilm

mis- wrong, not misbehave, misconduct, misfortune, mistake, miscount

multi- many, much multiply, multicolored, multimillionaire, multitude

non- not nonsense, nonfiction, nonresistant, nonstop, nonviolent

over- too much overdue, overdo, overpriced, overbearing, overactive

post- after postpone, postdate, postscripts, postmeridian, postwar

pre- before prefix, precaution, preamble, prenatal, prelude

pro- favor pro-war, Pro-American, pro-education, pro-trade, pro-union

pro- forward proceed, produce, progress, project, prognosis, prophet

re- again redo, rewrite, reappear, repaint, reheat, relive

re- back recall, recede, repay, reflect, retract, rebate

sub- under, below submarine, subzero, submerge, subordinate, subhuman

super- above, beyond superman, supernatural, superior, superpower, supervise

tele- distant telephone, telescope, television, telegram, telepathy

trans- across transport, transfer, translate, transatlantic, transcribe

un- not unhappy, unable, uncomfortable, uncertain, unbeated

under- below, less than underpaid, undercover, underground, underneath, underage

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED PREFIXESR1.3.3

Pre-fix Meaning Examplesafter- after afternoon, afterward, aftershock,

aftereffect, afterthought

ambi-, amphi- both, around ambidextrous, ambiguous, ambivalent, ambience amphibian, amphitheater, amphora

auto- self automobile, automatic, autograph, autobiography, autonomy

be- make befriend, bewitch, beguile, bejewel, becalm, benefit, benefactor, benefactor, benediction, beneficial, benevolent

bi-, bin- two bicycle, binocular, bifocal, biannual, bimonthly

cent-, centi- hundred, century, centigrade, centimeter, centennial

hundredth

circu- around circulate, circumference, circus, circumspect, circumstance

co- together cooperate, collaborate, coordinate, coincide, co-chair

com-, con- with combine, commune, combat, compare, commandconcert, concur, connect, confer, concede, confident

contra- against, opposite contrary, contradict, contrast, contraband, contraception

counter- against, opposite counteract, countermand, counterproposal, counteroffensive

de- down, away deduct, descent, decrease, degrade, depart

de- not, opposite deform, deplete, deactivate, defuse, dehumidify

dec- ten decade, decathlon, December, decennial

deci- tenth decimeter, decimate, decibel, decile, decimal

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED PREFIXES (Continued)R1.3.3Pre-fix Meaning Examplesdi- two, double dilemma, dioxide, dichotomy, diploma,

digraph

dia- through, across diameter, dialogue, diagonal, diagnose, dialect

du, duo- two duo, duet, dual, duplex, duplicate

dys- bad dysfunctional, dysentery, dysphasia, dystrophy

e- out, away evict, eject, erupt, emigrate, edict, emancipate

equi- equal equator, equation, equilibrium, equidistant, equinox

eu- good eulogy, euphoria, euphemism, Eucharist, euthanasia

giga- billion gigawatt, gigahertz, gigabyte

hemi- half hemisphere, hemistich, hemiplegia, hemicycle

hept- seven heptagon, heptameter, heptarchy

hetero- different heteronym, heterodoz, heterogenous, heterosexual

homo- same homogeneous, homogenize, homosexual, homophone

hyper- excessive hyperactive, hypersensitive, hyperbole, hypercritical

hypo- under, too little hypodermic, hypothesis, hypothermia, hypoxia

il- not illegal, illegible, illiterate, illogical, illegitimate

ir- not irregular, irreconcilable, irrevocable, irresponsible

kilo- thousand kilometer, kilogram, kilobyte, kilowatt, kiloliter

macro- large, long macroeconomics, macron, macrobiotic, macrocosm

magni- great, large magnify, magnificent, magnitude, magnanimous

mal- bad maladjusted, malfunction, malice, malevolent

mega- large, million megaphone, megalith, megacycle, megawatt, megaton, megabuck, megahertz

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED PREFIXES (Continued)R1.3.3

Prefix Meaning Examples

meta- change metamorphosis, metaphor, metastasis

mid- middle midnight, midway, midsummer, midyear, midshipman

milli- thousand million, milligram, millimeter, millennium, millibar

mon-, mono- one monk, monarch, monocular, monorail, monogamy

neo- new neoclassical, neologism, neonatal, neophyte, neon

omni- all omnibus, omnificent, omnipotent, omnivorous, omniscient

pan- all panorama, panacea, pandemonium, pandemic, Pan-American

para- almost paramedic, paralegal, paraprofessional, parasail

per- through perennial, permeate, permit, pervade, percolate

peri- around perimeter, periscope, peripatetic, periphery, periodontist

poly- many polysyllabic, polyglot, polyester, polyandry, polygamy

prot- first, chief protagonist, proton, prototype, protocol, protoplasm

pseudo- false pseudonym, pseudoclassical, pseudointellectual

quadr- four quadrangle, quadrant, quadriplegic, quadruple

quint- five quintuplet, quintet, quintessential, quintuple

self- self selfish, self-denial, self-respect, self-taught

semi- half semiannual, semicircle, semiconscious, semiautomatic

sept- seven September, septet, septauagenarian

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED PREFIXES (Continued)R1.3.3

Pre-fix Meaning Examplessyn- together synchronize, syndrome, synergy,

synonym, synthesis

tri- three triangle, tricycle, trillion, triplet, tripartite, triumvirate

ultra- beyond ultramodern, ultraconservative, ultranationalist

uni- one unicorn, uniform, unite, universe, unique, unison

PREFIXES EXPRESSING NUMBER

Pre-fix Meaning Examplesdeci- tenth decimetercenti- hundredth centimetermilli- thousandth millimetermicro- millionth nanometerpico- trillionth picometerfemto- quadrillionth fetometeratto- quintillion attometer

demi- half demigod, demitassehemi- half hemisphere, hemicyclesemi- half semiannual, semicircle, semiclassic

prot- first protagonist, protein, proton, prototype

mon-, mono- one monk, monarch, monocular, monogamyuni- one unicorn, unicycle, uniform, unify, unitedi- two diagraph, dioxide, diphthongtri- three triangle, tricycle, trillion, tripletquadr- four quadrangle, quadrant, quadruple

Pre-fix Meaning Examplestetra- four tetrahedron, tetrameterpent- five pentagon, pentathalon, Pentecostquint- five quintet, quintupletshex- six hexagon, hexametersex- six sextant, setet, sextuplehept- seven heptagon, heptametersept- seven September, septuagenarianoct- eight October, octagon, octane, octopusennea- nine nonagenarian

PREFIXES EXPRESSING NUMBER (Continued)R1.3.3

Pre-fix Meaning Examplesnove- nine November, novenadeca-, dec- ten December, decade, decathlon,

decameter

cent- hundred century (note: cent- is a shortened from of centi, which usually means one hundredth)

hect- hundred hectogram, hectometer, hectaremilli- thousand million, millipede (note: in metric system,

milli-means thousand)kilo- thousand kilometer, kilogram, kilowatt, kilolitermyriad- ten thousand myriametermega- million megawatt, megabytegiga- billion gigabytetera- trillion tetrameterpeta- quadrillion pentameterexa- quintillion exameter

PREFIXES THAT DESCRIBE SIZER1.3.3

Pre-fix Meaning Examplesmacro- large, long macrocosm, macron, macroscopicmagni- great magnify, magnitude, magnificentmega- large megacycle, megalith, megalomaniamicro- small, short microbe, microphone, microcosm

PREFIXES THAT DESCRIBE WHENR1.3.3

Pre-fix Meaning Examplesafter- after afterglow, afternoon, aftertaste,

afterwardante- before antebellum, antecedent, antedate, ant- antediluvianepi- after epilogue, epitaph, epidermis

post- after postdate, postdoctoral, posterior, postpone

pys- postscriptpre- before preamble, precaution, prefix, prejudicepro- before prognosis, progeny, program, prologue

PREFIXES THAT DESCRIBE WHERER1.3.3Pre-fix Meaning Examplesa- on aboard, afire, afoot, ashore, atopab- from abnormal, abhor, abolish, abstainac- to accent, accept, access, accident,

acquiread- to adapt, add, addict, adhere, admitaf- to affair, affect, affiliate, affirm, afflictag- to agglomeration, aggrandize, aggravate

PREFIXES THAT DESCRIBE WHERE (Continued)R1.3.3Pre-fix Meaning Examplesan- to annex, annihilate, annotate, announceas- to ascent, ascertain, aspect, aspire, assertby- near, side bypass, byplay, bystander, bywaycircu- around circulate, circumference, circumspectde- from, down debate, decay, deceive, decide, deformdia- through, across diagnose, diagonal, dialogue, diametere- out, away effect, effort, eject, emigrate, eruptem- in embalm, embed, embezzle, embraceen- in enchant, enclose, encounter, encourageenter- among, between enterprise, entertainepi- upon epicenter, epidemic, epidermis, epithetex- out excel, exalt, exceed, exhaust, exithypo- under hypochondria, hypodermic, hypothesisim- into immediate, immerse, immigrate, implantin- into incision, include, induce, inhale, infectinter- among, between intercede, interpret, interruptintra- within intramural, intrastate, intravenousintro- inside introduce, introspect, introject, introvertmid- middle midriff, midshipman, midsummeroff- from offset, offshoot, offshore, offspringon- on oncoming, ongoing, onrush, onshorepara- beside paradigm, paragraph, parallel,

paraphraseper- throughout perimeter, periscope, peripateticpro- forward proceed, produce, proficient, progresspro- in front of proclaim, profane, profess

re- back recall, recede, reflect, repay, retractretro- back retroactive, retrogress, retro-rocketsub- under subcontract, subject, submergesuper- over superimpose, superscript, supersedetele- distant telegram, telekinesis, telephonethrough- through thoroughbred, thoroughfaretrans- across transatlantic, transcend, transcribeunder- below undercover, underground, underneathwith- back, away withdraw, withhold, within, without

PREFIXES THAT DESCRIBE AMOUNT OR EXTENT OFR1.3.3

Pre-fix Meaning Examplesequi- equal equal, equilibrium, equidistant, equatorextra- beyond extraordinary, extravaganthyper- excessive hyperactive, hyperbole, hypercriticalhypo- too little hypoactive, hypoglycemicis- equal isometric, isomorph, isosceles isotopemulti- many, much multicolored, multifarious, multiplyolig- few oligarchy, oligopoly, oligophagousomni- all omnibus, omnificient, omnipotentout- surpassing outbid, outclass, outdo, outlive

PREFIXES THAT DESCRIBE AMOUNT OR EXTENT OF (Continued)R1.3.3

Pre-fix Meaning Examplesover- too much overactive, overbearing, overblownpan- all panacea, pandemonium, Pandorapene- almost peneplain, peninsula, penultimatepoly- many polyandry, polyester, polygamy, polyglot

PREFIXES THAT DESCRIBE AMOUNT OR EXTENT OF (continued)R1.3.3

Pre-fix Meaning Examples

super- more than superfine, superhuman, supernaturalultra- beyond ultraconservative, ultramodernunder- less than underage, underdone, underripe

PREFIXES THAT EXPRESS TOGETHERNESS AND SEPARATENESSR1.3.3

Pre-fix Meaning Examples

ab- away from abdicate, abduct, aberrant, absentco- together coauthor, cognate, coincide, cooperataecol- with collaborate, collateral, colleague, collectcom- with combat, combine, comfort, communecon- with concede, concur, concert, confidentsyl- together syllable, syllogismsym- together symbiosis, symbol, symmetry, sympathysyn- together synchronize, syndrome, synergy

PREFIXES THAT EXPRESS NEGATIONR1.3.3

Prefix Meaning Examplesa- not apathy, atheist, atrophy, atypicalan- not anemia, anarchy, anesthesia, anorexiacounter- opposite counteract, countermandde- opposite deactivate, deform, egrade, depletefor- prohibit forbid, forget, forgo, forsake, forswearil- not illegal, illegible, illegitimate, illiterateim- not imbalance, immaculate, immaturein- not inaccurate, inactive, inadvertent

PREFIXES THAT EXPRESS NEGATION R1.3.3

Prefix Meaning Examplesir- not irrational, irreconcilable, irredeemablene- not nefarious, neverneg- not negative, neglect, negotiatenon- not nonchalant, nonconformist, nondescriptPREFIXES THAT EXPRESS NEGATION (Continued)R1.3.3

Prefix Meaning Examplesun- opposite unable, undo, unbeaten, uncertain

PREFIXES THAT MAKE A JUDGMENTR1.3.3

Prefix Meaning Examplesanti- against antinuclear, antisocial, antislaverybene- good benediction, benefactor, beneficialcontra- against contraband, contraception, contradictdys- bad dysentery, dysfunction, dyspepsiaeu- good Eucharist, eugenic, euphoria, eulogy

mal- bad maladjusted, malaise, malevolentmis- bad misanthrope, misbehave, miscarriagepro- for pro-American, pro-education

MISCELLANEOUS PREFIXESR1.3.3

Prefix Meaning Examplesambi- both, around ambidextrous, ambience, ambiguousamphi- both, around amphibian, amphitheater, amphoraauto- self autobiography, autocraticbe- make becalm, befriend, beguile, bewitchhetero- different heterodox, heteronym, heterosexualhomo- same homogeneous, homogenize, homographmeta- change metabolism, metamorphosis, metaphorneo- new neoclassic, neologism, neon, neonatalpara- almost paralegal, paramedicpseudo- false pseudoclassic, pseudonym, pseudopodre- again reappear, reclassify, recopy, redo,

repaintself- self self-denial, self-respect, selfish

SUFFIXES

Suffixes are letter groups that are added to the end of a base word or root. They frequently signify the part of speech and sometimes add meaning. There are two types of suffixes: derivational and inflectional.

Derivational suffixes are more numerous. When added to a base word, this type of suffix creates a new word that is “derived” from the base word but has a different meaning. For example, the addition of –less to hope creates hopeless, a word related to but different in meaning. The following is a list of derivational suffixes. The most frequently occurring suffixes are listed at the beginning level. Suffixes that are somewhat less frequent but still quite common are listed in Intermediate to Advanced.

BEGINNING PREFIXESR1.3.3

Prefix Meaning Examples-able, ible is, can be comfortable, learnable, walkable,

climbable, perishable, durable, gullible, combustible

-ar, -er, -or one who beggar, liar, teacher, painter, seller, shipper, doctor, actor, editor

-en to make strengthen, fasten, lengthen, frighten, weaken

-er more smarter, closer, lighter, quicker, softer, luckier

-ess one who (female) princess, waitress, countess, hostess, actress

-est most smartest, closest, lightest, quickest, softest, luckiest

-ette small dinette, diskette, majorette, barrette-ful full of joyful, fearful, careful, thoughtful,

cheerful-ish relating to childish, fiftyish, bookish, selfish-less without thoughtless, tireless, joyless, ageless,

careless-like resembling lifelike, homelike, childlike, comuterlike-ly resembling fatherly, scholarly, motherly, sisterly,

brotherly-ment action or process government, development, experiment-ness state of quality of kindness, happiness, goodness,

darkness, fullness-ship state or quality of friendship, hardship, citizenship,

internship

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED SUFFIXESR1.3.3

Prefix Meaning Examples-a, -ae plural data, criteria, memoranda, alumnae,

algae, formulae-acious inclined to loquacious, mendacious, audacious,

fallacious-ade action or process blockade, promenade, escapade-age action or process marriage, voyage, pilgrimage,

blockage,rummage-an relating to urban, American, veteran, Hawaiian,

metropolitan-ance, -ence state of quality of repentance, annoyance, resistance,

violence, absence, reticence -ancy, -ency state of quality of buoyance, truancy, vacancy, vagrancy,

frequency, clemency, expediency, consistency

-ant, -ent one who servant, immigrant, assistant, merchant, regent, superintendent, resident

-ant inclined to vigilant, pleasant, defiant, buoyant, observant

-arian one who librarian, humanitarian, libertarian-arium, -orium place for aquarium, planetarium, solarium,

auditorium-ary, -ory place for library, mortuary, sanctuary, infirmary,

laboratory, conservatory-ation, -ion state or quality of desperation, starvation, inspiration,

tension, caution, suspicion, attention, fascination, companion

-ative inclined to demonstrative, pejorative, talkative-ble repeated action stumble, squabble, mumble, tumble,

fumble

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED SUFFIXES (Continued)R1.3.3

Prefix Meaning Examples-dom state of quality of freedom, boredom, martyrdom, wisdom-ectomy surgical removal of tonsillectomy, appendectomy,

mastectomy,-ee object of action payee, lessee, employee-ence state of quality of violence, absence, reticence,

abstinence-ency state of quality of frequency, clemency, expediency,

consistency-enne female comedienne, equestrienne, tragedienne-er action or process murder, plunder, waiver, flounder,

thunder-ern direction eastern, western, northern, postern-ery state or quality of bravery, savagery, forgery, slavery-ese state of quality of Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese,

Siamese-esque relating to statuesque, picturesque, Romanesque-etic relating to alphabetic, dietetic, frenetic, athletic,

sympathetic-hood state or quality of childhood, adulthood, falsehood,

nationhood-ial, -ian relating to filial, commercial, remedial, barbarian,

Christian-ic, ical relating to comic, historic, poetic, public, rhetorical,

economical-ics scientific or social physics, economics, politics, statistics,

system demographics-ide, -ine chemical compound fluoride, peroxide, sulfide, iodine,

chlorine quinine

-ina, ine female czarina, ballerina, Wilhelmina, heroine, Josephine

-ify to make satisfy, terrify, falsify, beautify, vilify-ious state or quality of gracious, ambitious, religious, nutritious,

delicious-ism doctrine of capitalism, socialism, communism,

patriotism-ist one who practices biologist, capitalist, communist,

philanthropist-it is inflammation of laryngitis, arthritis, bronchitis,

appendicitis -ity, ty state or quality of necessity, civility, parity, loyalty,

honesty, amnesty, unity-ive inclined to active, passive, negative, restive,

positive-ization state or quality of civilization, standardization, organization-ize to make standardize, computerize, popularize,

pulverize, pasteurize-ling small duckling, yearling, suckling, fledgling-most most utmost, westernmost, innermost,

foremost-oid resembling humanoid, asteroid, paranoid, planetoid-ose sugars glucose, sucrose, fructose, dextrose-ous full of joyous, virtuous, nervous, wondrous-phobia fear of claustrophobia, acrophobia (see List 29,

-Phobia and –Cide Word Families)-some inclined to meddlesome, awesome, tiresome,

fulsome-th, -eth numbers fifth, twelfth, twentieth, fiftieth-ulent full of turbulent, corpulent, fraudulent, truculent-und state or quality of rotund, fecund, moribund, jocund

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED SUFFIXES (Continued)R1.3.3

Prefix Meaning Examples-uous state or quality of contemptuous, tempestuous, sensuous,

vacuous-ure action or process censure, procure, endure, inure, secure-ward direction forward, backward, eastward, upward,

onward-ways manner sideways, longways, crossways-wise manner, direction clockwise, lengthwise, counterclockwise-y being or having fruity, sunny, rainy, funny, gooey, chewy

Inflectional suffixes indicate the grammatical form of words such as the tense or case of verbs, whether a word is an adjective or adverb, and whether a noun is plural or singular. While this sounds complicated, most native speakers of English are already using most of these suffixes in their speech prior to the beginning of formal reading instruction. Therefore, your primary task is to help them translate endings they already know into sounds. If students are reading for meaning, this may happen almost automatifally.

Noun Suffixs indicates that a noun is plural: books, boys, pencils, dogs, shoes, hands, desks, teachers, students

Adjective Suffixes Many nouns and/or verbs are changed to adjectives using suffixes. Here are some examples:y (milk—milky; trick—tricky; boss—bossy) like (child—childlike; boy—boylike; life—lifelike) ful (care—careful; thought—thoughtful; fear—fearful)ish (tickle—ticklish; child—childish; Scot—Scottish) ic (scene—scenic; history—historic; metal—metallic)ese (Japan—Japanese; Siam—Siamese; China—Chinese) ward (east—eastward; west—westward; south—southward) en (stole—stolen; chose—chosen; write—written)

Suffix Meaning Examples-ory place for laboratory, conservatory, purgatory-ose sugars glucose, sucrose, fructose, dextrose-osis abnormal increase tuberculosis, fibrosis-phobia fear of claustrophobia, acrophobia (see List 29,

-Phobia and –Cide Word Familes)-s, -3s plural pens, books, boxes, parentheses-‘s possession John’s, dog’s-ship skill or art of penmanship, showmanship,

horsemanship-ship state or quality of friendship, hardship, citizenship-sion state or quality of tension, compulsion-th state or quality of strength, warmth, filth, depth, length-tion state or quality of attention, caution, fascination-trix female aviatrix, executrix-tude state or quality of loyalty, honesty, amnesty, unity-ure action or process censure, failure, enclosure, exposure

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED SUFFIXES (Continued)R1.3.3

Suffix Meaning Examples

-wright one who works with playwright, shipwright, wheelwright

ADJECTIVE SUFFIXESR 1.3.3Suffix Meaning Examples-acious inclined to loguacious, mendacious, audacious,

fallacious-al relating to natural, royal, maternal, suicidal-an relating to urban, American, Alaskan, veteran-ant inclined to vigilant, pleasant, defiant, buoyant-ary relating to honorary, military, literary, ordinary-ate state or quality to fortunate, desperate, passionate-ative inclinded to demonstrative, pejorative, talkative-ble inclined to gullible, perishable, voluble, durable-en relating to golden, ashen, wooden, earthen-ent inclined to competent, different, excellent-er more (comparative) fatter, smaller, crazier, smarter-ern direction eastern, western, northern, postern-ese state or quality of Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese,

Siamese-esque relating to statuesque, picturesque, Romanesque-est most (comparative) fattest, smallest, smartest, fastest-etic relating to alphabetic, dietetic, frenetic-ful full of thoughtful, joyful, careful, fearful-ial relating to filial, commercial, remedial-ian relating to barbarian, physician, Christian-ic relating to comic, historic, poetic, public-ical relating to comical, rhetorical, economical-ide state or quality of candid, sordid, lucid, splendid, rigid-ile state or quality of virile, agile, volatile, docile, fragile-ine relating to feminine, bovine, feline, marine

GREEK AND LATIN ROOTSMORE COMMON ROOTS

R 1.3.3Root Meaning Examplesact (L) do action, actor, react, transact, enactaero (G) air aerobics, aerodynamics, aeronautics,

aerateagr (L) field agriculture, agrarian, agronomy,

agribusinessalter (L) other alter, alternate, alternative, altercation,

alterego

anim (L) life, spirit animate, animosity, animal, inanimateann, enn (L) year annual, anniversary, annuity, biennial,

millenniumaqua (L) water aquarium, aquatic, aqueous,

aquamarine, aquiferast (G) star astronaut, astronomy, disaster, asterisk,

asteroid

MORE COMMON ROOTS (Continued)R 1.3.3

Root Meaning Examplesaud (L) hear audience, auditorium, audible, audition,

audiovisualbiblio (G) book bibliography, Bible, bibliophile,

bibliotherapybio (G) life biology, biography, biochemistry,

biopsy, biospherecard, cord (L) heart cardiac, cardiology, cardiogram,

cardiovascular, cordial, accord, concord, discord

chron (G) time chronological, synchronize, chronicle, chronic

claim, clam (L) shout proclaim, exclaim, acclaim, clamor, exclamation

cogn (L) know recognize, incognito, cognition, cognizant

corp (L) body corporation, corpse, corps, corpuscle, corpus

cosm (G) universe cosmonaut, cosmos, cosmopolitan, microcosm

cred (L) believe credit, discredit, incredible, credential, credulous

cycl (G) circle, ring bicycle, cyclone, cycle, encyclopedia, recycle

dic (L) speak dictate, predict, contradict, verdict, diction

doc (L) teach doctrine, document, doctor, indoctrinate, docile

don, donat (L) give donation, donor, pardon, donateduc (L) lead duct, conduct, educate, induct, aquaductfac, fic (L) make, do factory, manufacture, beneficial, flect, flex (L) bend reflect, deflect, reflection, genuflect,

reflex, flexible

form (L) shape form, uniform, transform, reform, formalgen (G) birth, race generation, generate, genocide,

progeny, genealogygeo (G) earth geography, geometry, geology,

geophysicsgram (G) letter, written telegram, diagram, grammar, epigram,

monogramgraph (G) write photograph, phonograph, autograph,

biography, graphitehomo, hom (L) man homicide, hombre, homage, Homo

sapiensjunct (L) join juncture, conjunction, adjunct, injunctionjud, jur, jus (L) law judge, judicial, jury, jurisdiction, justice,

justifylab (L) work labor, laboratory, collaborate, elaborateliber (L) free liberty, liberal, liberate, libertineloc (L) place location, locate, dislocate, allocate, localman (L) hand manual, manufacture, manuscript,

manipulatemar (L) sea marine, submarine, mariner, maritimemater, matr (L) mother maternal, maternity, matricide,

matrimony, matronmeter (G) measure thermometer, centimeter, diameter,

barometermigr (L) change, move migrate, immigrant, emigrate, migratorymiss, mit (L) send missile, dismiss, mission, remiss submit,

remit, admit, transmit

MORE COMMON ROOTS (Continued)R 1.3.3

Root Meaning Examplesmob, mot, move mobile, automobile, mobilize, motion,

motor, mov (L) promote, demote, motile, remove,

movementmorph (G) shape amorphous, metamorphoses,

morphology, polymophous, anthropomorphic

mort (L) death mortician, mortuary, mortal, immortal, mortify

nat (L) born natal, native, nation, nativity, innateordin ord (L) row, rank order, ordinary, ordinal, extraordinary,

ordinanceortho (G) straight, right orthodontist, orthodox, orthopedist,

orthography

pater, part (L) father paternity, paternal, patricide, patriarchpath (G) disease, feeling pathology, sympathy, empathy,

antipathy, pathosped (L) foot pedal, pedestrian, biped, pedestalphil (G) love philosophy, philanthropist, philharmonic,

Anglophile, philologyphon (G) sound phonograph, symphony, telephone,

microphone, phonicsphoto (G) light photograph, telephoto, photosynthesis,

photogenicpod (G) foot podiatrist, podium, tripodpoli (G) city metropolis, cosmopolitan, police,

politicalport (L) carry portable, transport, import, export, porterpsych (G) mind, soul psychology, psyche, psychopath,

psychiatristques, quer, ask, seek question, inquest, request, query,

inquisitivequis (L)rad (L) ray, spoke radius, radio, radiation, radium, radiator,

radiologyrect (L) straight erect, rectangle, rectify, direction,

correctrupt (L) break rupture, erupt, interrupt, abrupt,

bankruptsan (L) health sanitary, sanitation, sane, insanity,

sanitariumsaur (G) lizard dinosaur, brontosaurs, stegosaurussci (G) know science, conscience, conscious,

omniscientscop (G) see microscope, telescope, periscope,

stethoscopescribe, script (L) write scribe, inscribe, describe, prescribe,

script, transcript, scripturesign (L) mark signal, signature, significant, insigniaspect (L) see inspect, suspect, respect, spectator,

spectaclestruct (L) build structure, construct, instruct, destructiontact (L) touch tactile, intact, contact, tactterr (L) land territory, terrain, terrestrial, terracetherm (G) heat thermometer, thermal, thermostat,

Thermostract (L) pull, drag tractor, attract, subtract, traction, extract,

contracttrib (L) give contribute, tribute, tributary, attributeurb (L) city urban, suburb, urbane, suburban

vac (L) empty vacant, vacation, vacuum, evacuate, vacate

var (L) different vary, invariable, variant, variety, various

MORE COMMON ROOTS (Continued)R 1.3.3

Root Meaning Examplesvid, vis (L) see video, evidence, provide, providence,

visiblevoc (L) voice vocal, advocate, evocation, convocationvoid (L) empty void, devoid, avoid, voided, unavoidablevol (L) wish, will volition, volunteer, voluntary, benevolentvolv (L) turn revolve, involve, evolve, revolver,

revolution

LESS COMMON ROOTSR 1.3.3

Root Meaning Examplesaesthet, sense, perception aesthetic, aesthete, anesthesia,

anesthetistesthete (G)alt (L) high altitude, altimeter, alto, altocumulusambul, amb (L) walk, go ambulance, circumambulate,

somnambulate, amble, preambleamo, ami (L) love amiable, amorous, amateur, amityang (L) bend angle, triangle, rectangle, angular,

quadrangleanthr (G) man anthropology, philanthropist,

misanthropearch (G) ruler, leader monarch, archbishop, matriarch,

oligarchyarchi, arch (G) primitive, original archaeology, archaic, archetype, archivebelli (L) war bellicose, antebellum, belligerent,

rebellionbrev (L) short cadence, cadaver, decadence, cascadecad, cas (L) fall cadence, cadaver, decadence, cascadecam (L) field camp, campus, encamp, campaigncand (L) shine, white candle, incandescent, candid, candidatecap (L) head cap, captain, capital, decapitate, caputcede, ceed, go, yield concede, secede, proceed, exceed,

succeedcess (L) process, recess, access, concession,

cessation

ceive, cept (L) take, receive receive, reception, accept, conception, intercept

centr (L) center central, centrifugal, egocentric, geocentric

cert (L) sure certain, certify, ascertain, certificatecide, cise (L) cut, kill suicide, insecticide, genocide, scissors,

incisionclar (L) clear clarity, declare, clarify, declarationcline (L) lean incline, recline, decline, inclinationclud (L) shut include, conclude, exclude, preclude,

secludecommun (L) common community, communicate, communism,

communion, communalcum (L) heap cumulative, accumulate, cumuluscur (L) care cure, manicure, pedicure, curator,

curettecur (L) run current, occur, excursion, concur, recurdem (G) people democracy, demography, endemic,

epidemicdent (L) tooth dentist, trident, dentifrice, indent,

denturediv (L) divide divide, divorce, division, dividend,

indivisibledomin (L) master dominate, predominate, dominion, A. D.

(Anno Domini)

LESS COMMON ROOTS (Continued)R 1.3.3

Root Meaning Examples

dox (G) belief, praise orthodox, heterodox, paradox, doxologyfer (L) bear, carry ferry, transfer, infer, refer, coniferfid (L) faith fidelity, confidence, infidel, bona fidefig (L) form figure, figment, configuration, disfigure,

effigyfirm (L) securely fixed firm, confirm, infirm, affirm, firmamentfract, frag (L) break fracture, fraction, infraction, fractious,

fragment, fragile, fragmentaryfrater (L) brother fraternal, fraternity, fratricide, fraternize fric (L) rub friction, dentifrice, dysfunctional,

perfunctorygam (L) marriage polygamy, monogamy, bigamy, gamete,

exogamy

gnos (G) know diagnose, prognosis, agnosticgon (G) angle pentagon, diagonal, trigonometry,

orthogonalgrad, gress (L) step, go gradual, grade, gradation, centigrade,

graduation, progress, egress, regress, aggression, congress

grat (L) pleasing gratitude, gradify, congratulate, ungrateful, ingrate

greg (L) gather gregarious, congregation, segregation, aggregate

gyn (G) woman gynecologist, misogynist, monogyny, androgyny

hab, hib (L) hold habit, habitual, habitat, prohibit, inhibit, exhibit

hosp, host (L) guest, host hospitality, hospital, hospice, hostess, host

hydr (G) water hydroelectric hydrogen, hydrant, dehydrate

iatr (G) medical care psychiatry, podiatry, pediatrician, geriatrics

imag (L) likeness image, imagine, imaginative, imageryinit (L) beginning initial, initiate, initiativeinteg (L) whole integrate, integral, integrity, integerject (L) throw project, inject reject, subject, eject,

conjecturekline, cine (G) movement kinetic, kinesiology, telekinesis, cinema,

cinematiclaps (L) slip elapse, collapse, relapse, prolapslith (L) stone lithograph, monolith, neolithic,

paleolithic, megalithlog (G) word prologue, apology, dialogue, eulogy,

monologueluc, lum (L) light lucid, elucidate, translucent, illuminate,

luminousluna (L) moon lunar, lunatic, lunettelust (L) shine luster, illustrate, lackluster, illustriouslys (G) break down analysis, paralysis, electolysis, catalystmand (L) order command, demand, mandate, remandmania (G) madness maniac, pyromania, cleptomania,

megalomaniamax (L) greatest maximum, maxim, maximizemech (G) machine mechanic, mechanism, mechanize

LESS COMMON ROOTS (Continued)R 1.3.3

Root Meaning Examplesmem, ment (L) mind memory, remember, memorial,

commemorate, mental, mention, demented

merge, mers (L) dive submerge, emerge, merge, merger, submerse, immerse

mim (L) same mimic, pantomime, mimeograph, mimemin (L) small, less mini, minimum, minor, minus, minimizeminist (L) serve minister, administer, administrationmon (L) advise admonish, premonition, monitor,

admonitionmut (L) change mutation, immutable, mutual, commutenav (L) ship navy, naval, navigate, circumnavigateneg (L) no negation, abnegation, negative, renegeneo (L) new neophyte, neoclassical, neonatal,

neologismnot (L) mark notation, notable, denote, notice, notifynoun, nun (L) declare announce, pronounce, denounce,

enunciatenov (L) new novel, novelty, novice, innovate, novanumer (L) number numeral, enumerate, numerous,

enumerableocu (L) eye oculist, binocular, monocularonym (G) name synonym, antonym, pseudonym,

anonymousopt (G) eye optician, optometrist, optic, opticalopt (L) best optimum, optimist, optimal, optimizeorig (L) beginning origin, original, originate, aboriginepel (L) drive propel, compel, expel, repel, repellantpend (L) hang pendulum, suspend, append, appendixphob (G) fear claustrophobia, xenophobia (See List

29, -Phobia and –Cide Word Families)plur (L) more plural, plurality, pluralismpop (L) people population, popular, pop, populacepug (L) fight pugnacious, pugilist, repugnant, impugn

reg (L) rule, guide regal, regent, reign, regulatae, regimerid (L) laugh ridiculous, eride, derisive, ridiculescend (L) climb ascend, descend, transcend, descentsect (L) cut section, dissect, intersect, sect, bisectsed (L) settle sedative, sediment, sedentary, sedate

sens, sent (L) feel sensation, sense, sensitive, sensible, sensory

serv (L) watch over conserve, preserve, reserve, reservoirserv (L) slave serve, servant, service, servilesim (L) like similar, simultaneous, simulate, similesist (L) stand consist, resist, subsist, assistsol (L) alone solo, solitary, desolate, soliloquysolv (L) loosen dissolve, solve, solvent, resolveson (L) sound sonar, sonata, sonnet, unison, sonoroussoph (G) wise philosopher, sophomore, sophisticated,

sophistspir (L) breathe respiration, inspire, spirit, perspire,

conspiresta (L) stand station, status, stabile, stagnant, statuestrict (L) draw tight strict, restrict, constrict, stricturesum (L) highest summit, summary, sum, summons

LESS COMMON ROOTS (Continued)R 1.3.3

Root Meaning Examplessurg, surr (L) rise surge, insurgent, resurgent, resurrect,

insurrection, resurrectiontain, ten (L) hold retain, contain, detain, attain, maintain,

sustain, tenacious, tenure, tenant, retentive, tenable

ten (L) stretch tendon, tendency, tension, tent, tenseterm (L) end terminal, terminate, determine,

exterminatetex (L) weave textile, texture, text, contexttort (L) twist torture, contort, retort, tort, contortiontrud, trus (L) push intrude, protrude, intruder, intrusive,

obtrusiveturb (L) confusion disturb, turbulent, perturb, turbidven (L) come convene, convention, advent, invent,

venuever (L) turn convert, reverse, versatile, introvert,

convertiblevict, vinc (L) conquer victory, conviction, convince, invincible,

vinciblevor (L) eat voracious, carnivore, herbivore,

omnivorous