A word that can stand alone in its simplest form. It has nothing added to it.

Examples:Heat WriteReadPack

Base Words

The form of a word after all affixes are removed - does not stand alone.

Examples: fin, ped, pod, vis, aud

Root Word

A word element, such as a prefix A word element, such as a prefix or suffix, that is attached to a base or suffix, that is attached to a base

or root word.or root word.

A group of letters added to the A group of letters added to the beginningbeginning of a base word. They change of a base word. They change the meaning of the base word.the meaning of the base word.

Un + happy = unhappyUn + happy = unhappy

Re + do = redoRe + do = redo

A group of letters added to A group of letters added to the the endend of a base word. of a base word. They change the meaning of They change the meaning of the base word.the base word.

wonder + ful = wonderfulwonder + ful = wonderful

rest + ful = restfulrest + ful = restful

Suffixes

SyllableSyllableA part of a word that has A part of a word that has one one vowel soundvowel sound with or without with or without

consonants coming before or consonants coming before or after.after.

saxophone - sax o phone (3)

MultisyllabicMultisyllabicA word of many syllables.A word of many syllables.

trombone - trom bone (2)

cymbal - cym bal (2)

ContractionContractionA shortening of two words A shortening of two words put together by leaving out put together by leaving out

a sound or a letter.a sound or a letter.

can + not = can’t

it + is = it’s

AntonymAntonym

A word of opposite A word of opposite meaning.meaning.

hot / cold

SynonymSynonymA word having the same or A word having the same or

nearly the same meaning as nearly the same meaning as another word in the same another word in the same

language.language.

school / academy

Word FamilyWord FamilyA group of words having a A group of words having a

common phonic element as in common phonic element as in bbiteite, k, kite ite despdespiteite or words that or words that

have the same root or base have the same root or base word.word.

HomonymHomonym

One of two or more words One of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but spelled and pronounced alike but

different in meaning different in meaning

the noun "bear" the noun "bear"

and the verb "bear” and the verb "bear”

  

HomophoneHomophoneOne of two or more words One of two or more words

pronounced alike pronounced alike but but different in meaning or different in meaning or

spelling spelling

"to," "too," and "two”"to," "too," and "two”

HomographHomograph

One of two or more words One of two or more words spelled the spelled the same same but but different in pronunciation different in pronunciation or or meaning.meaning.

minute (unit of time), minute (very small)minute (unit of time), minute (very small)

present ( a gift), present (in attendance)present ( a gift), present (in attendance)

Compound WordCompound WordTwo words joined together to Two words joined together to make a new word with a new make a new word with a new

meaning.meaning.

cup + cake = cupcakecup + cake = cupcake