Word Parts and Vocabulary: Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes, and Word Meaning

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering common English roots, prefixes, suffixes, and foundational terminology regarding word meaning and analysis.

able / ible

(Suffix): Capable of, worthy of, or fit for (e.g., believable, visible).

ive / ous

(Suffix): Having the quality of or tending to (e.g., active, adventurous).

ism

(Suffix): A belief, practice, system, or doctrine (e.g., optimism, capitalism).

ist

(Suffix): A person who practices, holds a belief, or does a specific action (e.g., artist, scientist).

logy

(Suffix): The study of or science of a subject (e.g., biology, psychology).

pole / poli

(Root): City or citizenship (e.g., metropolis, police).

gen

(Root): Birth, production, origin, or kind (e.g., generate, genetics).

chron

(Root): Time (e.g., chronological, synchronize).

mob / mov / mot

(Root): To move (e.g., mobility, movement, motivate).

etymology

(Noun): The study of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed throughout history.

literal

(Adjective): Taking words in their most basic, primary, or factual sense without metaphor or exaggeration.

figurative

(Adjective): Departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical or symbolic.

denotation

(Noun): The direct, literal dictionary definition of a word.

connotation

(Noun): The implied emotional feeling, idea, or cultural meaning associated with a word beyond its literal definition.

fore / pre

(Prefix): Before, ahead of time, or in front of (e.g., forecast, preview).

co

(Prefix): With, together, or jointly (e.g., cooperate, co-pilot).

de / dis

(Prefix): Down, away, opposite of, or removing (e.g., deconstruct, disagree).

post

(Prefix): After or behind (e.g., postpone, postgraduate).

inter

(Prefix): Between or among (e.g., international, intersection).

intra

(Prefix): Within or inside (e.g., intramural, intravenous).

trans

(Prefix): Across, through, or beyond (e.g., transport, transform).

il / ir

(Prefix): Not or the opposite of (used before words starting with 'l' or 'r'; e.g., illegal, irregular).

non / un / in

(Prefix): Not or the opposite of (e.g., nonsense, unhappy, invisible).

mis

(Prefix): Badly, wrongly, or incorrectly (e.g., misunderstand, misplace).

re

(Prefix): Again or back (e.g., redo, return).

sub

(Prefix): Under, below, or beneath (e.g., subway, subzero).

super

(Prefix): Above, beyond, or over (e.g., superhuman, supervisor).

pro

(Prefix): Forward, in favor of, or before (e.g., proceed, promote).

anti / counter / contra

(Prefix): Against, opposite, or opposing (e.g., antisocial, counteract, contradict).

bi / di

(Prefix/Root): Two or twice (e.g., bicycle, dissect).

mono

(Prefix/Root): One or single (e.g., monotone, monopoly).

cent

(Prefix/Root): Hundred (e.g., century, centimeter).

deca

(Prefix/Root): Ten (e.g., decade, decagon).

ation / ition / ion

(Suffix): The act, process, or state of being (turns a verb into a noun; e.g., creation, competition).

ant / eer / er

(Suffix): A person or thing that does a specific action (e.g., assistant, engineer, teacher).

ate / ite / en / ify / ize

(Suffix): Word endings used to form verbs meaning "to make" or "to become" (e.g., activate, sharpen, clarify, memorize).