ASVAB Word Knowledge: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering prefixes, suffixes, and root words as taught in preparation for the ASVAB Word Knowledge section.

Prefix pro-

In favor of, forward, or positive

Suffixes

Word segments that affect the meaning of a word and usually indicate its part of speech

Prefix a-

no, not

Prefix ab- or abs-

away, from

Prefix anti-

against

Prefix bi-

two

Prefix circum-

around

Prefix com- or con-

with, together

Prefix contra- or counter-

against

Prefix de-

away from

Prefix deca-

ten

Prefix extra-

outside, beyond

Prefix fore-

in front of

Prefix geo-

earth

Prefix hyper-

above, over

Prefix il-

not

Prefix mal- or male-

evil, bad

Prefix multi-

many

Prefix ob-

blocking

Prefix omni-

all

Prefix out-

external

Prefix que-, quer-, or ques-

ask

Prefix re-

back, again

Prefix semi-

half

Prefix super-

over, more

Prefix tele-

far

Prefix trans-

across

Prefix un-

not

Suffix -able or -ible

Adjective; meaning capable of

Suffix -age

Noun; meaning act of

Suffix -al

Adjective; meaning relating to

Suffix -ance or -ence

Noun; meaning instance of an action

Suffix -ation

Noun; meaning action, process

Suffix -en

Adjective, verb; meaning made from

Suffix -ful

Adjective; meaning full of

Suffix -ic

Adjective; meaning relating to, like

Suffix -ical

Adjective; meaning possessing a quality of

Suffix -ion

Noun; meaning result of, act of

Suffix -ish

Adjective, noun; meaning resembling

Suffix -ism

Noun; meaning condition or manner

Suffix -ist

Noun; meaning one who or that which does

Suffix -ity

Noun; meaning quality of or state of

Suffix -less

Adjective, noun; meaning not having

Suffix -let

Noun; meaning small one

Suffix -ly

Adjective, adverb; meaning like

Suffix -ment

Noun; meaning act or process of

Suffix -ness

Adjective, noun; meaning possessing a quality

Suffix -or, -er

Noun; meaning one who does a thing

Suffix -ous

Adjective; meaning state of

Root words

Word parts that serve as the base of a word

Root anthro or anthrop

relating to humans

Root bibl

relating to books

Root brev

short

Root cede or ceed

go, yield

Root chrom

color

Root cogn

know

Root corp

body

Root dict

speak

Root domin

rule

Root flu or fluc

flow

Root form

shape

Root fract or frag

break

Root graph

writing

Root junct

join

Root liber

free

Root lum or lumen

light

Root oper

work

Root path or pathy

suffer, feeling

Root port

carry

Root press

squeeze

Root scrib or script

write

Root sens or sent

feel

Root tract

pull

Root voc or vok

call

Beneficent

Most nearly means kind