Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots 1

English Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

Prefixes: pp. 1 – 3
Suffixes: pp. 4 – 6
Roots: pp. 7 - 10
Prefixes
ac-, ad-, af-, to, toward, near, aside (adverb): to or toward the side
ag-, al-, ap-, adjacent to accompany (verb): to go with someone as a companion
as-, at- adjust (verb): to correct, to move closer to a correct position

a-, not, without apolitical (adjective): without interest in politics

an- anarchy (noun): without a ruler, absence of government

ab-, away from, off abrupt (adjective): unexpected change

abs- abnormal (adjective): not normal

ambi-, amphi both sides ambidextrous (adjective): able to use both hands equally well
amphibian (noun): an animal with characteristics of both fish and reptiles

ante- before anterior (adjective): before or near the front

anti- against antiwar (noun): against war

arch- chief, principal, archenemy (noun): the principal enemy

extreme
audio- hearing, sound audiorecording (noun): a recording of sound

auto- self autobiography (noun): writing about yourself

automotive (adjective): related to self-propelled machines

bi- two bicycle (noun): a vehicle with two wheels

biped (noun): a two-footed animal

bibli-, biblio- book bibliography (noun): a list of books referred to in a text

cat-, down, with category (noun): a class or set to which a thing belongs
cata-, catalogue (noun): a book or pamphlet that lists and describes
cath-
circum- around circumvent (verb): to manage to get around a situation
circumference (noun): the distance around a circle

co-, cog-, together, with cognate (adjective): related, similar in nature

col-, com-, collaborate (verb): to work together
con-, cor- correlation (noun): a relation between two or more things

contra- against, opposite contradict (verb) to state the opposite

cosmo- universe cosmopolitan (adjective): having a worldwide rather than a limited scope

de- to do the opposite, decrease (verb): to grow smaller, to become less

to take away from desensitize (verb): to take away sensitivity

dent-, denti-, tooth dentist (noun): a doctor specializing in teeth, jaws, and mouth
dento-
dia- through, across diameter (noun): the distance across a cirle
diagonal (adjective): passing through two non-adjacent corners
 Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots 2

di-, apart, separate, two, divide (verb): to separate into two or more parts
dif-, opposite of, not, differ (verb): to be unlike
dis- exclude distrust (verb): to have no confidence or trust
disagree (verb): to not agree with someone or something

e-, out, out of, from emit (verb) to send out

ex- expel (verb): to force out
exclude (verb): to close out of, keep out

eco- habitat, environment ecology (noun): the study of the environment

en-, em- put into enamor (verb): to cause to love, to "put" someone "into" love
empower (verb): to give power, to put into power

equa-, equi- equal equator (noun): a line that divides the world into two equal halves

extra- beyond extraordinary (adjective): going beyond normal

for-, fore- before foresee (verb): to see beforehand

ge-, geo- earth, ground, soil geology (noun): the study of the earth

hemi- half hemisphere (noun): half of a sphere

hetero- different heterosexual (adjective): attracted to someone of the opposite sex

homo- same homogeneous (adjective): having a uniform structure of composition

hydr-, hydro- water hydroelectric (adjective): producing electricity using waterpower

hyper- above, beyond hyperactive (adjective): being excessively active

il-, im-, not, in illegible (adjective): cannot be read

in-, ir, inaction (noun): lack of motion, idle

in-, in, into instead (adverb): in place of, an alternative

im-, import (verb): to bring into a country from another country
il-
inter- between, among interject (verb): to throw something between other things
international (adjective): between nations

mal- bad malfunction (noun): when something does not work properly

micr-, micro- small microscope (noun): an instrument used to see very small objects

mis- wrong misinterpret (verb): to interpret incorrectly

mono one monolingual (adjective): using or knowing only one language

multi- many multiply (verb): to increase in number

non- not, no nonsense (noun): something with no meaning or no sense

ob-, oc-, toward, against, in obtain (verb): to gain or get, to get a hold of
of-, op- the way oppose (verb): to be against, to stand in the way of something

omni- all, universally omnivorous (adjective): eats both plants and animals
 Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots 3

over- excessive, above overwork (verb): to have too much work

pan- all, completely pandemic (adjective): occurring over a wide geographic area

para- beside paralegal (noun): someone who works alongside a lawyer

per- through perform (verb): to carry out an act

phot-, photo- light photography (noun): producing an image by exposing film to light

post- after postpone (verb): to put off to a later time, to delay

pre- before precede (verb): to go before, to come in front of

pro- for, forward propel (verb): to push forward

quadr- four quadrilateral (adjective): having four sides

re- back, again redo (verb): to do again

retro- backward retrospect (noun) to look back at past events

semi half semiannual (adjective): occurring twice a year

sub-, suc-, under, beneath, near, submarine (adjective): underwater

suf-, sup-, from below, support (verb): to hold up, too keep up
sur-, sus secretly, above, up
super- over, above superimpose (verb): to place on top of something else

syn-, sym- together, at the same sympathy (noun): sharing another person's feelings
time
tele-, tel- distant, over a telephone (noun): a device to transmit sound over a distance
distance
trans- across, beyond, transform (verb): to change shape
change
tri- three tripod (noun): a three-legged stand

un- not, against, unceasing (adjective): never ending, continuous

opposite
uni- one uniform (adjective): having the same form or consistency

util- use utility (noun): something useful or designed for use

 Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots 4

Suffixes
Suffixes to Create NOUNS
-acy, state or quality privacy: the state of being alone
-cy infancy: the state of being a baby or young child

-age activity, or result of action courage: having the spirit to overcome fear

-al action, result of action referral: the action of directing a person to another place

-an person artisan: a craftsperson

-ance, action, state, quality or resistance: the action of opposing something

-ence process independence: the state of not being under the control of others

-ancy, state, quality or capacity vacancy: an empty room or position

-ency agency: the capacity to exert power or influence, a position or person that
performs a function

-ant, an agent, something that disinfectant: something that cleans

-ent performs the action dependent: a thing supported or determined by another

-ate state, office, fuction candidate: a person nominated for an office or position

-ation action, resulting state specialization: the result of being distinguished by one quality or ability

-dom place, state of being wisdom: possessing knowledge

-er, person or thing that does baker: a person who bakes

-or something collector: a person who collects or gathers things

-ful an amount or quanity that mouthful: an amount that fills the mouth
fills
-ian, related to, one that is politician: a person works in politics
-an
-ia names, diseases phobia: an illogical fear of something

-iatry art of healing psychiatry: branch of medicine dealing with the mind and emotions

-ic, related to the arts and arithmetic: a branch of math dealing with non-negative numbers
-ics sciences economics: the social science related to studying business

-ice act malice: the desire to do evil

-ing material made for, activity, swimming: the activity of swimming through water
result of an activity building: the result of making a structure

-ion condition or action abduction: the action of carrying someone away by force

-ism doctrine, belief, action or formalism: a belief in sticking to prescribed forms

conduct
-ist person or member podiatrist: a foot doctor

-ite product or part graphite: a black material used in making pencils

-ity, state or quality novelty: something new or unusual

-ty
 Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots 5

-ive condition native: a person born in a specific place

-ment condition or result document: official paper showing proof or evidence of something

-ness state, condition, quality kindness: the quality of being kind or nice

-ology the study of biology: the study of life

-or condition or activity valor: bravery, courage

-ory place for, serves for territory: an area around a place

-ship status, condition friendship: the state of being a friend

-ure act, condition, process, exposure: the condition of being exposed or unprotected
function
-y state, condition, result of society: companionship
an activity victory: the result of winning something

Suffixes to Create VERBS

-ate cause to be graduate: to give a degree to, to pass from one stage to the next

-ed past tense attained: something that has been reached or grasped

-en to cause to become moisten: to cause to become moist or damp

-er, -or action ponder: to think about

clamor: to make noise, to call for loudly

-ify cause specify: to name or indicate in detail

-ing present participle depicting: showing, describing with images or pictures

-ize cause fantasize: to create images in the mind

-ure act conjecture: to come to a conclusion by supposition or guesswork

Suffixes to Create ADJECTIVES

-able, worth, ability solvable: able to be solved or explained
-ible incredible: not able to be believed, amazing

-al, quality, relation structural: related to the physical make up of a thing

-ial, territorial: related to nearby or local areas
-ical categorical: related to a category, absolute

-ant, indicating, being important: indicating value or worth

-ent, dependent: relying upon something else
-ient
-ar, resembling, related to spectacular: related to something that is eye-catching or amazing
-ary unitary: related to units or single groups representing quantities

-ate kind of state inviolate: not disturbed, pure

-ed having the quality of terraced: having terraces or steps

 Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots 6

-en material silken: made from silk, a fiber produced by worms

-er comparative brighter: more light

-est superlative strongest: having the most strength

-ful having, giving, marked by fanciful: marked by imagination

-ic quality, relation generic: related to a whole group

-ile having the qualities of projectile: something thrown with an outside force

-ing activity cohering: the act of sticking together

-ish having the character of, newish: modern, recent

about, almost
-ive, having the quality of festive: having the quality of a festival or party
-ative, cooperative: being able or willing to work together
-itive sensitive: easily felt, responsive to the senses

-less without, missing penniless: a person without any money

-ous, having the quality of, adventurous: characterized by the desire to seek adventures
-eous, relating to courageous: characterized by courage, brave
-ose, verbose: having more words than needed
-ious
-y marked by, having hungry: having hunger, marked by a desire

Suffixes to Create ADVERBS

-fold in a manner of, marked by fourfold: being four times as great

-ly in the manner of fluently: marked by ease of movement, effortlessly smooth

-ward in a direction or manner homeward: toward home

-wise in the manner of, with timewise: with regard to time

regard to
 Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots 7

Roots
A act, ag do, act, drive (Ltn) active (adj): moving about

am, ami love, like (Ltn) amorous (adj): loving

anim mind, life, spirit, anger (Ltn) animal (n): a living creature

annu, enni yearly (Ltn) annual (adj): yearly

auc, aug, aut to originate, to increase (Ltn) augment (vb): to increase, to add to

aud, audit, aur hear (Ltn) audible (adj): can be heard

B bene, ben good, well, gentle (Ltn) benefit (n): something that gives a good advantage

bio, bi life (Grk) biography (n): a book written about a person's life

bibli, biblio book (Grk) bibliophile (n): a person who likes or collects books

brev short (Ltn) abbreviate (vb): to shorten

C cad, cap, cas, to take, to seize, to hold (Ltn) receive (vb): to take in, to acquire
ceiv, cept, cid
ceas, cede, go, yield (Ltn) exceed (vb): to go beyond a limit, to be greater than
ceed, cess
chron time (Grk) chronological (adj): arranged in order of time or sequence

clam, claim shout (Ltn) clamor (vb): to make noise

cogn, gnos know to know (Ltn) recognize (vb): to know, to identify

corp body (Ltn) corporate (adj): formed into a body or association, united in
one group

cre, cresc, cret grow (Ltn) create (vb): to originate, to produce through imagination

cred trust, believe (Ltn) incredible (adj): unbelievable

cour, cur, run, course (Ltn) occur (vb): to happen, to come to mind
curr, curs
D dic, dict, dit say, speak (Ltn) indicate (vb): to show, to point out

doc, doct teach, prove (Ltn) docile (adj): obedient, easily taught

dog, dox thought, idea (Grk) dogma (n): an established opinion

dec, dign suitable (Ltn) decent (adj): conforming to standards, suitable, good
duc, duct lead (Ltn) conduct (vb): to lead or guide, (n) - a person's behavior

E -ectomy surgical removal appendectomy (noun): the surgical removal of the appendix

ev, et time, age (Ltn) medieval (adj): related to the Middle Ages (500 - 1500 AD)

F fac, fact, fec, make do, do (Ltn) feasible (adj): capable of being done
fic, fas, fea
fer bear, carry (Ltn) infer (vb): to come to a conclusion from looking at facts, to
guess
 Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots 8

fict, feign, fain shape, make, fashion (Ltn) fiction (n): something produced from imagination, an
invented story
fid belief, faith (Ltn) confide (vb): to trust, to trust another person with a secret

fig shape, form (Ltn) figure (n): shape, pattern, drawing (vb) - decide, plan,
decipher
flu, fluct, flux flow (Ltn) fluid (adj): capable of flowing, a smooth easy style (n) - a
liquid
form shape (Ltn) format (n): the shape and size of something

fract, frag, frai break (Ltn) fracture (v): to break, like a bone

G gen, gin to give birth, kind (Grk) generate (vb): to produce, to create

geo earth (Grk) geography (n): a science that describes the earth's surface

gor to gather, to bring together (Grk) category (n): a class or set in which a thing is placed

grad, gress, step, go, move (Ltn) degree (n): a step or stage in a process
gree
gram, graph, write, draw (Grk) graphic (adj): written, drawn, vividly shown
graf
H her, hes to stick (Ltn) adhere (vb): to stick

itis disease or inflammation arthritis (n): inflammation of the joints

J jac, ject, jet to throw (Ltn) reject (vb): to throw out, unwilling to accept

jug, junct, just to join (Ltn) junction (n): a place at which two things join

L lex, leag, leg law (Ltn) legal (adj): based on law

lect, leg, lig choose, gather, select, read (Ltn) collect (vb): to gather, to bring together

loc place, area (Ltn) location (n): a place, a position occupied

log say, speech, word, reason, study logic (n): the study of reason, reasoning
(Grk)
luc, lum, lust light (Ltn) translucent (adj): permitting some light to come through

M man hand, make, do (Ltn) manage (vb): to handle with skill, to be able to do

mem recall, remember (Ltn) memory (n): the ability to recall or to bring to mind

ment mind (Ltn) mental (adj): related to the mind

meter device for measuring hygrometer (n): a device for measuring humidity

min little, small (Ltn) minor (adj): less important, lesser

mit, miss send (Ltn) admit (vb): to accept, to allow entry

mob, mov, mot move (Ltn) motion (n): act of moving, action

N nasc, nat, to be born (Ltn) native (adj) - belonging to a particular place by birth
gnant, nai
nom, nym name (Ltn) nominate (vb): to name for office
 Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots 9

nov new (Ltn) novice (n): a beginner or newcomer

O oper work (Ltn) operate (vb): to work, to perform

P pact fasten or hold impact (vb): to strike together forcefully

compact (vb): to press together

pat, pass feel, suffer (Ltn) passion (n): a strong feeling or emotion

path feel (Grk) sympathy (n): sharing another person's feelings

ped foot (Ltn) impede (vb): to hinder, to slow down

phobia fear (Grk) claustrophobia (n): fear of enclosed spaces

pod foot (Grk) podium (n): a platform, an area raised above the surrounding
ground
pel, puls drive, push (Ltn) repel (vb): to drive away or push back

pend, pond to hang, weigh (Ltn) append (vb): to add or correct

phan, phas, show, make visible (Grk) phantom (n): something seen but having no physical
phen, fan, existence, a ghost
phant, fant
phil love (Grk) philosopher (n): a person who seeks (loves) wisdom

phon sound (Grk) phonetic (adj): related to speech sounds

pict paint, show, draw (Ltn) picture (vb): to paint or draw

port carry (Ltn) import (vb): to bring in from a foreign country

pli, ply fold (Ltn) reply (vb): to respond, to answer

pon, pos put, place (Ltn) postpone (vb): to put off to a later time

psych mind (Grk) psychology (n): study of how the mind works

Q quir, quis, seek, ask (Ltn) query (vb): to ask questions

quest, quer
R rupt break (Ltn) rupture (vb): to break or burst

S sci, scio to know (Ltn) conscious (adj): aware, having knowledge of oneself

scrib, scrip write (Ltn) script (n): handwriting, something written

sent, sens feel, think (Ltn) sentiment (n): a thought prompted by feeling

sequ, secut, follow (Ltn) sequence (n): a continuous series

sue
sist to withstand, make up (Ltn) insist (vb): to be firm about something needed, to demand

soci to join, companions (Ltn) sociable (adj): inclined to seek friendship, companionship

sol alone (Ltn) solitary (adj): being alone

solv, solu, loosen, explain (Ltn) solve (vb): to find an answer

solut
 Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots 10

spec, spi, spic, look (Ltn) spectator (n): a person who watches
spect
spir breath, soul (Ltn) respiration (n): breathing

stab, stat stand (Ltn) stature (n) - height of a standing body, importance of position

strain, strict, bind, pull (Ltn) constrict (vb) - to squeeze, to make narrow
string, stige
stru, struct, build (Ltn) destroy (vb): to ruin, to pull down
stroy
T tact, tang, tig, touch (Ltn) tactile (adj): related to the sense of touch
ting
tend, tens stretch (Ltn) contend (vb): to strive or reach for, to argue

tain, ten, tent, hold, keep, have (Ltn) retain (vb): to keep, to hold in place
tin
term end, boundary, limit (Ltn) exterminate (vb): to kill off, to get rid of

terr earth (Ltn) territory (n): area of land

test see, witness (Ltn) attest (vb): to provide proof, to say something is true

therm heat (Grk) thermometer (n): a device for measuring heat

tor, tors, tort twist (Ltn) torsion (n): twisting of the body

tract, trai, pull, draw (Ltn) attract (vb): to draw toward, to arouse interest
treat
U uni one (Ltn) unite (vb): to make one, to join together

V vac empty (Ltn) vacant (adj): empty, not occupied

ven, vent come (Ltn) convene (vb): to assemble, to come together

ver true (Ltn) verify (vb): to confirm that something is true

verb, verv word (Ltn) verbalize (vb): to express in words, to put into words

vers, vert turn,change (Ltn) versatile (adj): capable of changing or adapting, useful

vid, vie, vis see (Ltn) visible (adj): able to be seen, divide (vb): to separate

vit, viv live (Ltn) vital (adj) - necessary for life

voc, voke call (Ltn) vocal (adj): spoken or uttered by the voice

volv, volt, vol roll, turn (Ltn) revolve (vb): to turn around

Last revised: October 13, 2005

Adapted from:

Caglioti, C. "Preparation for an American University Program: Vocabulary Workshop" Southampton College of
Long Island University. http://www.southampton.liu.edu/academic/pau/course/webesl.htm