Word roots, prefixes and suffixes:
A root is a simple form of a word, or a part of a word, without any prefix or suffix. A prefix is a word fragment added in front of a word (e.g., bi-, pre-, un-). A suffix is a word fragment added at the end of a word (e.g., -hood, -less, -y). Combining roots with prefixes and suffixes produces new words. For example, prefix un- + root able = new word unable; root able + suffix -y = new word ably.
Breaking a word down into root, prefix, and suffix might help you determine its literal meaning. Many English words were borrowed from Greek and Latin. It is a good idea to learn the meaning of common roots, prefixes and suffixes, as this could help you deduce the meaning of new and unfamiliar words.
Greek Root Words
The table below defines and illustrates 25 of the most common Greek roots
.
Root | Meaning | Examples |
anti | against | antibacterial, antidote, antithesis |
ast(er) | Star* | asteroid, astronomy, astronaut |
aqu | water | aquarium, aquatic, aqualung |
auto | self | automatic, automate, autobiography |
biblio | book | bibliography, bibliophile |
bio | life | biography, biology, biodegradable |
chrome | color | monochromatic, phytochrome |
chrono | time | chronic, synchronize, chronicle |
doc | teach | document, docile, doctrinal |
dyna | power | dynasty, dynamic, dynamite |
geo | earth | geography, geology, geometry |
gno | to know | agnostic, acknowledge |
graph | write | autograph, graphic, demographic |
hydra | water | dehydrate, hydrant, hydropower |
kinesis | movement | kinetic, photokinesis |
logos | word, study | astrology, biology, theologian |
narc | sleep | narcotic, narcolepsy |
path | feel | empathy, pathetic, apathy |
phil | love | philosophy, bibliophile, philanthropy |
phon | sound | microphone, phonograph, telephone |
photo | light | photograph, photocopy, photon |
schem | plan | scheme, schematic |
syn | together, with | synthetic, photosynthesis |
tele | far | telescope, telepathy, television |
tropos | turning | heliotrope, tropical |
Latin Root Words
The table below defines and illustrates 25 of the most common Latin roots.
Root | Meaning | Examples |
Ab | to move away | abstract, abstain, aversion |
Acer, Acri | bitter | acrid, acrimony, exacerbate |
Audi | hear | audible, audience, auditorium |
Bene | good | benefit, benign, benefactor |
Brev | short | abbreviate, brief |
Circ | round | circus, circulate, circle |
Dict | say | dictate, edict, dictionary |
Duc | lead, make | deduce, produce, educate |
Fund | bottom | founder, foundation, funding |
Gen | to birth | gene, generate, generous |
Hab | to have | ability, exhibit, inhabit |
Jur | law | jury, justice, justify |
Lev | to lift | levitate, elevate, leverage |
log, logue | thought | logic, apologize, analogy |
luc, lum | light | lucid, illuminate, translucent |
Manu | hand | manual, manicure, manipulate |
mis, mit | send | missile, transmit, permit |
Omni | all | omnivorous, omnipotent, omniscient |
Pac | peace | pacify, pacific, pacifist |
Port | carry | export, import, important |
Quit | silent, restive | tranquil, requiem, acquit |
scrib, script | to write | script, proscribe, describe |
Sens | to feel | sensitive, sentient, resent |
Terr | earth | terrain, territory, extraterrestrial |
Tim | to fear | timid, timorous |
Vac | empty | vacuum, vacate, evacuate |
vid, vis | to see | video, vivid, invisible |
Greek Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
a, an | without, not | asexual, amoral, anarchy, anhydrous, Anabaptist, anachronism |
ab, abs, a | apart, away from | abnormal, abduct, abductor (muscle), abscission |
Ad | toward | adhere, adductor (muscle) adumbrate |
Agree | act | agent, agency, agenda |
amphi, ambi | round, both sides | amphitheater, amphibian, ambidextrous, ambivalent |
Ante | before | antedate, anteroom, antecedent, anterior |
Anthro | man | anthropology, anthropomorphic |
Anti | against | antipathy, antitank, anticlimax |
Aqua | water | aquarium, aqueous |
archaios | ancient | archeology, archetype, archaic, archeozoic |
Archos | leader, first, chief | monarchy, oligarchy, anarchy, archetype, architect |
Audio | hear | audiophile, audiometer, auditory |
Auto | self | automatic, automaton, auto-immune |
Bi | two | bi-partisan, bisexual, biennial, binary, bicuspid, bivalve |
Bene | well, favorable | benefit, benevolent, benefactor, beneficent |
Bible | book | bibliography, Bible, bibliophile |
Bio | life | biology, biography, bio-active |
Caco | Bad | Cacophony |
Cide | kill | homicide, parricide, germicidal, ecocide |
Circum | around | circumference, circumlocution, circumnavigate |
constitutus | stand | constitution, statute |
Corpus | body | corpse, corporeal punishment, corpus callosum |
Cracy | rule | democracy, theocrat, technocracy |
Credo | belief | credit, |
Demos | people | democracy, demographic |
Di | two, double | dimorphism, dicotyledon, diatomic |
Dia | across, through | diagonal, dialectic, dialogue, diagnosis |
Dis | not, apart | disperse, disinherit, disenfranchise, distend |
dominus | lord | dominant, dominion |
dynasthai | be able | dynamic, dynamo, dynasty, dynamite |
Ego | I, self | ego, egomaniac, egocentric, |
Epi | upon, over | epidermis, epidemic, epigram, epitaph, epithet, epiphyte, epistasis, epinephrine, epiphysis |
Ex | out | exotic, exterior, extraneous, extemporaneous, exophalmic, exogenous, exothermic, exoskeleton |
federis | league, pact | federation, confederate |
Frater | brother | fraternize, fraternity, fraternal, fratricide |
Geo | earth | geology, geography, geocentric, geomancy |
graph | write, record | graphic, graphite, graphology, |
Hetero | mixed, unlike | heterogeneous, heterosexual, heterodox, heterodont, hetero atom, heterocyclic, heterozygous, |
Homo | same, alike | homogeneous, homogenized, homozygous, homolytic fission, Homo sapiens, homonid, homeostasis |
Idem | the same | identity, idiopathic, I, individual |
Ideo | idea | ideology, ideation, ideal |
Idios | one’s own | idiom, idiosyncrasy, idiopathic |
In | in | incarcerate, incorporate, inculcate, induction, inductance, indigenous, indicator, inspiration |
in, im | not | incredible, ignoble, inglorious, inhospitable, infinite, infinitesimal, immoral |
Inter | between | Interact, interstellar, interpret, interstitial. Interfere |
legis (lex) | law | legal, legislature |
Lexis | word | lexicon, lexicography, lexcographer |
Liber | free, book | liberty, library, liberal |
Locus | place | locality, local, circumlocution |
Macro | large | macroeconomics, macroscopic, macrophage |
mania | obsession | maniac, Beatlemania |
Meter | measure | metronome, speedometer, odometer |
Micro | small | microscope, micron, micrometer, microorganism |
mittere, mitto | send | mission, transmit, remit |
mono | one, single | monocle, monopoly, monogamy, monovalent, monomania, monarchy |
mortis | death | mortician, mortuary, moribund, morbid |
nomen | name | noble, ignominy, nomenclature, nominal |
olig | few | oligarchy, oligopoly |
pater | father | paternal, paternity, patricide |
ped | foot | pedestrian, pedal, pedicure, podiatrist |
Peri | around | peripatetic, periscope, perineum, peritoneum |
Phage | eat | phagocyte, phagocytosis |
Philo | love | philosophy, philanthropy |
polein | sell | Monopoly |
polis | city | political, metropolitan |
poly | many | polygamy, polyphonic, polyclinic, polytechnic |
porto | carry | porter, export |
post | after | post script (p.s.), post metric, post lunch, postbox post-mortem |
pre | before | premier, preview, premium, prescient |
pro | before, in favor of | project, projectile, |
psyche | mind, soul | Psychology |
publicus | people | public, republic, pub, publican |
riparia | river | Riparian |
scope | examine | microscope, oscilloscope |
scribe | write | transcribe, scribe, script, scriber |
sol | alone | solo, solitary |
subter | under, secret | subterfuge, subtle, subaltern, subterranean |
syn | together, with | synchronize, symphony, sympathy, syncretic, syncope |
tele | distance | telegraph, telephone, teleology |
trans | across | transport, transcend, transmogrify |
utilis | useful | utility, utilitarian |
vide, visibil, vis | see | video, vision, visible |
Greek and Latin Suffixes
Greek and Latin Suffixes | Meaning | Examples |
able, ible | able, capable | capable, agreeable, edible, visible |
ade | result of action | Blockade |
age | act of, state of, result of | storage, wreckage, damage |
al | relating to | gradual, manual, natural |
algia | pain | neuralgia, nostalgia, myalgia |
an, ian | native of, relating to | African, riparian, American, indian |
ance, ancy | action, process, state | assistance, allowance, defiance |
ary, ery, ory | relating to, quality, place where | aviary, bravery, dormitory |
cian | possessing a specific skill or art | magician, physician, |
cy | action, function | hesitancy, prophecy, normalcy |
cule, ling | very small | molecule, ridicule, animalcule, duckling, sapling |
dom | quality, realm | freedom, kingdom, wisdom |
ee | one who receives the action | refugee, nominee, lessee |
en | made of, to make | silken, frozen, wooden |
ence, ency | action, state of, quality | difference, confidence, urgency, agency |
er, or | one who, that which | baker, miller, professor |
escent | in the process of | adolescent, senescence, putrescence |
ese | a native of, the language of | Javanese, Japanese, Balinese |
esis, osis | action, process, condition | genesis, hypnosis, neurosis, osmosis |
ess | goddess, lioness, actress | |
et, ette | midget, baronet, sextet, lorgnette | |
fic | female | scientific, specific |
ful | small one, group | frightful, careful, helpful |
fy | make | beautify, fortify, simplify |
hood | order, condition, quality | manhood, adulthood |
ic | nature of, like | metallic, acidic, bucolic, simplistic |
ice | condition, state, quality | justice, malice |
id, ide | a thing connected with or belonging to | fluid, fluoride, bromide |
ile | relating to, suited for, capable of | juvenile, senile, purile, missile |
ine | nature of | feminine, genuine, medicine |
ion, sion, tion | act, result, or state of | cancellation, contagion, infection, crenellation |
ish | origin, nature, resembling | foolish, Irish, clownish, impish |
ism | system, manner, condition, characteristic | alcoholism, communism, capitalism, |
ist | one who, that which | artist, dentist, flautist |
ite | nature of, quality of, mineral product | prelate, Mennonite, dynamite, graphite, Israelite |
ity, ty | state of, quality | celebrity, captivity, clarity, poverty |
ive | causing, making | abusive, exhaustive, abortive |
ize, ise | make | emphasize, exercise, bowdlerize, bastardize, idolize, fanaticize |
logy | study, science, theory | biology, anthropology, geology, neurology |
ly | like, manner of | carelessly, fearlessly, hopelessly |
ment | act of, state or, result | containment, contentment, amendment |
ness | state of | carelessness, restlessness |
nomy | law | autonomy, economy, taxonomy |
oid | resembling | asteroid, spheroid, rhomboid, anthropoid |
ous | full of, having | gracious, nervous, pompous, |
ship | state of, office, quality | assistantship, friendship, authorship |
some | like, apt, tending to | lonesome, lissome, threesome, gruesome |
tude | state of, condition of | gratitude, aptitude, multitude |
ure | state of, act, process, rank | culture, literature, rupture, rapture |
ward | in the direction of | eastward, downward, backward |
y | inclined to, tend to | cheery, crafty, faulty |