ASVAB Word Knowledge

From the ASVAB for Dummies and Kaplan 2024

Prefix

A first part that affects the word’s meaning.

Suffix

A letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or function.

Word Root

A root word is a basic word with no prefix or suffix added to it. By adding prefixes and suffixes, its meaning changes.

Prefix: a- , an-

no, not, without

EX: agnostic-(n) one who believes that it cannot be known whether or not God exists; (adj) claiming no knowledge

anomaly-(n) an irregularity

Prefix: ab- or abs-

away from, apart from, down

EX: abolish(v)-to do away with, ban, or make void

abstract(v)-to draw or pull away, remove; (adj) theoretical; related to ideas rather than to specific instances or objects

Prefix: anti-

against

EX: antidote(n)-a remedy intended to counteract a poison

antifreeze(n)-a chemical that lowers the freezing point of a liquid such as water

Prefix: bi-, bin-

two

Example: biennial-(adj) happening every two years

binocular-(adj) involving two eyes

Prefix: circu- or circum-

around

Example: circuit-(n) a path or journey around an area; a path traveled by electrical current

circumstances-(n) the state of affairs that exist around a particular time or person; the factors that influence a person or situation

Prefix: co- , col- , com- , or con-

with, together, completely

EX: coerce-(v) to force (another to do an action) by using fear, authority, or violence

collaborate-(v) to work with another; to cooperate

compatible-(adj) able to exist together with someone or something else;capable of harmonious coexistence

conciliate-(v) to placate; to win over

Prefix: contra-, contro-, or counter-

against

EX: contrary-(adj) opposed to; opposite

controversy-(n) a prolonged debate or disagreement about a topic

counterfeit-(adj) fake; (n) a false imitation

Prefix: de-

away, off, down, reversal

EX: defame-(v) to slander; to publicly speak ill of

delineate-(v) to draw the outlines of; to sketch; to describe

Prefix: deca-

ten

EX: decade-(n) ten years

decathlon-(n) a sports competition composed of ten events

Prefix: extra-

outside, beyond

EX - extraordinary: (adj) beyond the ordinary; unusual

extrasensory: (adj) outside the senses; coming from or pertaining to knowledge that cannot be gained through normal sense perception

Prefix: fore-

in front of, before

EX - foresight: (n) the act of foreseeing; care for the future; prudence

forestall: (v) to prevent by advance action

Prefix: geo-

earth

Example: geology: (n) the science that deals with the dynamics and physical history of the earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the physical, chemical, and biological changes that the earth has undergone or is undergoing.

Prefix: hyper-

over, above, more than, excessive

EX - hyperactive: (adj) excessively active

hyperbole: (n) extreme exaggeration used to create an effect

Prefix: il-

not

Example: illogical (adj) contrary to or disregardful of the rules of logic; unreasoning:

Prefix: multi-

many

EX - multiplex: (adj) having more than one part; (n) a building with many separate

multitudinous: (adj) very many; containing very many; having very many forms

Prefix: ob-

blocking

Example: obscure (adj) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain:

Prefix: omni-

all

EX - omnibus: (n) an anthology of the works of one author or of writings on related

omniscient: (adj) knowing everything

Prefix: out-

external

Example: outside (n) The outer side, surface, or part; exterior

Prefix: que- , quer- , or ques-

ask

Example: question (noun) A sentence or phrase that asks you for information:

query (noun) Request for information

Prefix: re-

back, again

EX - regain: (v) to gain again; to take back

remain: (v) to stay behind; to be left; to continue to be

Prefix: tele-

far

Example: telephone (n) An electronic device that you use for conversations over great distances.

Prefix: trans-

across or beyond

EX - transcendent: (adj) going beyond ordinary limits

transgress: (v) to disobey or violate a law; to sin

Prefix: un-

not

EX - unseen: (adj) not seen

unusual: (adj) not usual; exceptional; strange

Prefix: e-, ex-

out of, from, former

EX: evade-(v) to escape from; to avoid

expire-(v) to breathe one’s last; to die; to reach the end of viability

Prefix: in-, im-

not, without

EX - indolence: (adj) a tendency to avoid work or exertion; laziness

innocuous: (adj) harmless, inoffensive

inside, into

EX - influx: (n) the pouring or flowing of one thing into another

intrinsic: (adj) natural; innate

prefix: pre-

before, in front

EX: premonition-a feeling that an event may happen in the future

presentiment-foreboding

Prefix: pro-

in front, before, much, for

EX: proceed-to go forward

propound-to set forth for consideration

prolific: (adj) highly fruitful

proselytize: (v) to convert, recruit, or attempt to convert

Prefix: ad-

Toward or near

(Sometimes the d is dropped and the first letter to which a is prefixed is doubled.)

EX: addict(v)-to cause (someone) to become dependent on a substance or activity;(n) a person who is dependent on a substance or activity.

attract(v)-to draw by physical force or by an appeal to emotions or senses

Prefix: ambi- or amphi-

both, on both sides

EX: ambiguous-(adj)open to various interpretations

amphibian-(n)an animal that lives part of its life in water and part of its life on land; a person with a twofold nature; (adj) having the traits of an amphibian

Prefix: ant- or ante-

before

EX: antebellum-before the war (especially the American Civil War)

antecedent-(adj)existing, being, or going before

Prefix: cent- or centi-

hundred or hundredth

EX: centimeter-(n) one hundredth of a meter

centipede-(n) a creature with many legs

Prefix: di-, dia-

in two, across, though

EX: dichotomy-(n) division into two parts, kinds, etc.

diameter-(n) a line going through a circle, dividing it in two

Prefix: dis-

opposite of

EX: disperse-(v) to spread over a wide area; to drive away in various directions

disseminate-(v) to scatter or spread widely; to promulgate

Prefix: dys-

faulty or abnormal

EX: dysfunctional-(adj) poorly functioning

dyslexia-(n) an impairment of reading ability due to a neurological problem

Prefix: em- or en-

cause to or put into

EX: embrace-(v) to clasp in the arms; to include or contain

enclose-(v) to close in on all sides

Prefix: sym- or syn-

together or the same

EX: symposium: (n) a meeting at which ideas are discussed (originally: a party at which people drink together)

synthesis: (n) the act of combining things to create a new whole

Prefix: super- or sur-

above or over

EX - superfluous: (adj) extra; more than necessary

surmount: (v) to overcome an obstacle or prevail over a problem

Prefix: pseud-, pseudo-

false

EX - pseudopod: (n) part of a single-celled organism that can be stuck out (like a foot) and used to move around

pseudoscience: (n) false science; something believed to be based on the scientific method but actually is not

Prefix: sept-

seven

EX - septennial: (adj) occurring every seven years

septuplet: (n) one of seven children born together

Prefix: semi-

half

EX - semicircle: (n) half a circle

semiconscious: (adj) only partly conscious; half awake

Prefix: se-

apart or away

EX: secede: (v) to withdraw formally from an association

sequester: (v) to isolate or set apart from a larger group

Prefix: quin- or quint-

five

EX - quintile: (n) one-fifth

quintuple: (adj) five times as many

Prefix: quad-, quar-, or quat-

four

EX - quart: (n) one-fourth of a gallon

quadruple: (adj) four times as many

Prefix: sex-, hex-

six

EX - hexagon: (n) a shape with six sides

sextet: (n) a band with six musicians

Prefix: retro-

backward

EX - retrofit: (v) to install newer parts into an older device or structure

retrograde: (adj) moving backward; appearing to move backward

Prefix: prot-, proto-

first

protagonist: (n) the main character in a play or story

prototype: (n) the first version of an invention, on which later models are based

Prefix: post-

after

EX - post facto: (adv) after the fact

posterior: (adj) situated at the rear

Prefix: poly-

many

EX - polygon: (n) a figure with many sides

polytheism: (n) belief in many gods

Prefix: pent-

five

EX - pentagon: (n) a five-sided shape

pentathlon: (n) a sports competition with five events

Prefix: peri-

around

EX - peripatetic: (adj) not stationary, moving about

periscope: (n) an optical instrument used to view objects that otherwise couldn’t be seen

Prefix: para-

next to, beside

EX - parable: (n) a story that teaches a lesson through allegory

paragon: (n) an example of excellence to be emulated

Prefix: pan-, pant-

all, everyone

EX - panoply: (n) an impressive or vast group or display

pantheon: (n) the group made up of all the gods of a particular culture; a building that honors dead heroes

Prefix: oct-

eight

EX - octagon: (n) a shape with eight sides

octogenarian: (n) a person whose age is 80-89

Prefix: nov-, neo-, nou-

new

EX - neologism: (n) a newly invented word or phrase

neophyte: (n) a beginner; a new convert; a new worker

Prefix: non-

not

EX - nonentity: (n) something that doesn’t exist; something that is unimportant

nonpartisan: (adj) not affiliated with a political party

Prefix: mon-, mono-

one, single

EX - monomania: (n) an obsession with a single subject

monotonous: (adj) boring; spoken using only one tone

Prefix: mis-

wrongly

EX - misanthrope: (n) one who hates people or humanity

misconstrue: (v) to understand something incorrectly

Prefix: min-, mini-

small

EX - diminution: (n) reduction; the act of reducing

minutiae: (n) small or trivial details

Prefix: micro-

very small

EX - microbe: (n) a very small organism

microcosm: (n) a small system that reflects a larger whole

microorganism: (n) a very small organism

Prefix: mega-, megalo-

very large

EX - megalomania: (n) a mental condition involving delusions of greatness; an obsession with achieving great things

megalopolis: (n) a very large city

Prefix: med-, medi-

middle

EX - immediate: (adj) nearest; having nothing in between

medium: (n) size between small and large; a substance or agency that things travel through (as, for example, light travels through air, and news is conveyed by television and newspapers)

Prefix: mal-, male-

bad, wrong

EX - maladroit: (adj) clumsy, tactless

malign: (v) to tell lies with the intent of hurting someone’s reputation; to slander

Prefix: sub-. sup-

below, under

EX - subtle: (adj) not direct; difficult to understand

suppose: (v) to put down as a hypothesis; to use as the underlying basis of an argument; to assume

Prefix: macro-

great, large

EX - macroeconomics: (n) study of the economy on a large scale

macroscopic: (adj) large enough to be seen without magnification

Prefix: inter-

among, between

EX - interim: (n) time period between one event and another; (adj) not permanent

interloper: (n) one who intrudes in the domain of others

Prefix: intra-

inside, within

EX - intramural: (adj) within a school; inside a city

intravenous: (adj) inside the veins

Prefix: hypo-

beneath, less than, or under

EX - hypochondriac: (n) one who imagines physical ailments; one who is overly preoccupied with physical health

hypocritical: (adj) pretending to have virtues or qualities one does not have

Prefix: homeo-, homo-

same, similar

EX - homogeneous: (adj) having a uniform nature or substance

homonym: (n) one of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning

Prefix: hetero-

different, other

EX - heterogeneous: (adj) made up of different kinds

heterosexual: (adj) pertaining to different sexes; having a sexual orientation toward members of the opposite sex

Prefix: hemi-

half

EX - hemiplegia: (n) paralysis of the arm, leg, and trunk on

hemisphere: (n) half a sphere; half of the Earthhemisphere: (n) half a sphere; half of the EartH

Word Root: vor

to eat

EX - omnivorous: (adj) eating or absorbing everything

voracious: (adj) having a great appetite

Word Root: volu/volv

to roll, to turn

EX - voluble: (adj) easily turning; fluent; changeable

evolve: (v) to develop naturally; literally, to unfold or unroll

Word Root: vol

wish

EX -malevolent: (adj) characterized by or expressing bad wishes

volition: (n) free choice; free will; act of choosing

Word Root: voc or vok

call, word

EX - avocation: (n) something one pursues, outside one’s main vocation or career

convoke: (v) to call together

Word Root: vil

base, mean

EX - revile: (v) to criticize with harsh language

vile: (adj) loathsome; unpleasant

Word Root: Vid/Vis

To see

EX - evident: (adj) plain or clear

vista: (n) a view, as of a landscape

Word Root: ver

truth

EX - aver: (v) to affirm; to declare to be true

veracious: (adj) habitually truthful

Word Root: vi

life

EX - viable: (adj) capable of living

vivacity: (adj) the quality of being lively, animated, spirited

Word Root: vers/vert

to turn

EX - aversion: (n) dislike

revert: (v) to return to a previous state, habit, or

position

Word Root: verb

word

EX - proverb: (n) an adage; a byword; a short, commonly known saying

verbose: (adj) wordy

Word Root: ven/vent

to come or to move forward

EX - contravene: (v) to conflict with; to go against

convene: (v) to assemble for some public purpose

Word Root: vail/val

strength, worth, or use

EX - ambivalent: (adj) caught between contradictory feelings of equal power or worth

avail: (v) to have force; to be useful; to be of value

Word Root: urb

city

EX - urban: (adj) relating to a city

urbane: (adj) polite; refined; polished (considered characteristic of those in cities)

Word Root: ult

last, beyond

EX - ulterior: (adj) beyond what is immediately present; future; beyond what is stated; hidden

ultraviolet: (adj) beyond the spectrum of visible light (on the violet end of the spectrum)

Word Root: tract

to drag, to pull, to draw

EX - detract: (v) to take away from, esp. a positive thing

protract: (v) to prolong; to draw out; to extend

Word Root: tox

poison

EX - intoxication: (n) the state of being poisoned; drunkenness

toxic: (adj) poisonous

Word Root: tor/torq/tort

to twist

EX - contort: (v) to twist; to distort

torque: (n) twisting force; a force that creates rotation

Word Root: therm

heat

EX - thermal: (adj) relating to heat; retaining heat

thermometer: (n) a device for measuring temperature

Word Root: theo

god

EX - theocracy: (n) a form of government in which a deity is recognized as the supreme ruler

theology: (n) the study of divine things and the divine faith

Word Root: test

to bear witness

EX - testament: (n) a witnessed statement of wishes to be carried out after one’s death; a will

attest: (v) to bear witness

Word Root: tain/ten/tent/tin

to hold

EX - abstention: (n) the act of refraining voluntarily

detain: (v) to delay or restrain

tenable: (adj) workable, maintainable

Word Root: tends/tens/tent/tenu

to stretch, to thin

EX - contentious: (adj) quarrelsome, disagreeable, belligerent

distend: (v) to lengthen or distort by stretching

extenuating: (adj) making less serious by offering

excuses

tension: (n) tautness, stress, strain

Word Root: tact/tag/tam/tang

to touch

EX - contact: (v) to touch; to get in touch

contagious: (adj) able to spread by contact, as disease

contaminate: (v) to corrupt, taint, or otherwise damage

the integrity of something by contact or mixture

intact: (adj) untouched; whole

intangible: (adj) unable to be touched; not physical or

material

tactile: (adj) touchable; having to do with the sense of touch

Word Root: tac/tic

to be silent

EX - reticent: (adj) reluctant to speak

tacit:-(adj) unspoken

Word Root: sum/summ

highest, total

EX - sum: (n) total; amount of money

consummate: (adj) highly qualified; complete; perfect

Word Root: sua

sweet, pleasing, to urge

EX - assuage: (v) to ease, lessen, or relieve

suave: (adj) smooth, agreeable, pleasing

Word Root: strict/string/stran

to tighten, to bind

EX - restriction: (n) a limitation

strangle: (v) to kill by suffocation, usually by tightening a cord or one’s hand around the throat