Word Roots and Affixes

Vocabulary practice flashcards defining Greek and Latin roots, affixes, and class mastery check guidelines.

mort (root)

Definition: death, dying, or mortality.

• Example Word: Mortal (subject to death), Mortician

geo (root)

Definition: Relating to the Earth, ground, soil, or geological formations.

• Example Word: Geology (the scientific study of the physical Earth)

fact (root)

Definition: To make, do, build, or produce.

• Example Word: Factory (a building where goods are manufactured).

astro (root)

Definition: Pertaining to stars, outer space, or celestial bodies.

• Example Word: Astronaut (a person trained to travel into space)

port (root)

Definition: To carry, transport, or bear from one location to another.

• Example Word: Portable (easily carried or moved)

pan (prefix / root)

Definition: All, every, whole, or encompassing everything.

• Example Word: Panorama (a complete, unbroken view of an entire region)

thermo (root)

Definition: Relating to heat, warmth, or thermal energy.

• Example Word: Thermometer (an instrument used to measure temperature)

homo (prefix / root)

Definition: Same, identical, equal, or uniform.

• Example Word: Homogeneous (consisting of parts that are all of the same kind)

photo (root)

Definition: Relating to light or radiant energy.

• Example Word: Photosynthesis (process by which green plants make food using sunlight)

form (root)

Definition: Shape, figure, structure, or physical appearance.

• Example Word: Transform (to change significantly in form or appearance)

act (root)

Definition: To do, perform, drive, or carry out a deed.

• Example Word: Action (the process of doing something to accomplish an objective)

tele (prefix / root)

Definition: Distant, far away, or operating over a long distance.

• Example Word: Telescope (an instrument used to observe distant celestial objects)

phono (root)

Definition: Sound, voice, or acoustic tone.

• Example Word: Phonetics (the study and systematic classification of speech sounds)

auto (prefix / root)

Definition: Self, same, spontaneous, or operating on one's own.

• Example Word: Autobiography (an account of a person's life written by themselves)

graph (root / suffix)

Definition: To write, draw, etch, or record visually.

• Example Word: Autograph (a signature written with one's own hand)

bio (root)

Definition: Life, living matter, or vital organisms.

• Example Word: Biology (the study of living organisms and life cycles)

hydro- (prefix / root)

Definition: Pertaining to water, moisture, or aqueous fluids.

• Example Word: Hydroelectric (generating electrical power using moving water)

chron (root)

Definition: Relating to time, historical order, or temporal duration.

• Example Word: Chronological (arranged in order of historical occurrence)

micro- (prefix)

Definition: Extremely small, tiny, or miniature in scale.

• Example Word: Microscope (an optical device used to magnify tiny specimens)

macro- (prefix)

Definition: Large, broad, long, or visible to the unaided eye.

• Example Word: Macroeconomics (the study of large-scale, national economic systems)

zoo (root)

Definition: Relating to animals or living creatures.

• Example Word: Zoology (the scientific study of animal biology and behavior)

meter (root / suffix)

Definition: A device or standardized unit used for measurement.

• Example Word: Barometer (an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure)

dict (root)

Definition: To speak, say, declare, or utter.

• Example Word: Predict (to say or estimate what will happen in the future)

bene- (prefix / root)

Definition: Good, well, favorable, or kind.

• Example Word: Beneficial (producing favorable, positive, or helpful results)

scrib / script (root)

Definition: To write, scribe, or put into textual form.

• Example Word: Scribe (a person who copies written manuscripts)

junct (root)

Definition: To join, connect, unite, or link together.

• Example Word: Junction (a point or intersection where multiple things link

-cide (suffix / root)

Definition: To cut, kill, destroy, or terminate.

• Example Word: Pesticide (a chemical formulation designed to kill unwanted pests)

struct (root)

Definition: To build, construct, assemble, or erect.

• Example Word: Structure (something constructed or arranged in a definite pattern)

anti- (prefix)

Definition: Against, opposing, hostile to, or counteracting.

• Example Word: Antibiotic (a drug that acts against and stops bacterial growth)

miss / mit (root)

Definition: To send, dispatch, broadcast, or let go.

• Example Word: Transmit (to broadcast or pass forward across distances)

log / logue (root)

Definition: Word, speech, reason, or discourse.

• Example Word: Dialogue (a conversation or spoken exchange between parties)

rupt (root)

Definition: To break, shatter, split, or burst suddenly.

• Example Word: Disrupt (to interrupt or break the flow of an ongoing activity)

aud (root)

Definition: To hear, listen, or perceive auditory input.

• Example Word: Audible (clear enough to be heard by the ear)

vis (root)

Definition: To see, inspect, observe, or perceive visually.

• Example Word: Vision (the faculty or physiological ability to see)

-ology (suffix)

Definition: The academic study, doctrine, or science of a specific field.

• Example Word: Ecology (the scientific study of organisms in their environment)

deci- (prefix)

Definition: One-tenth ($\frac{1}{10}$) part of a given unit.

• Example Word: Decimal (a number based on powers of ten and tenths)

cred (root)

Definition: To believe, trust, give credit, or have confidence in.

• Example Word: Credible (convincing, trustworthy, and able to be believed)

mal- (prefix / root)

Definition: Bad, wrongful, erroneous, or harmful.

• Example Word: Malfunction (to fail to operate properly or normally)

sol (root)

Definition: Alone, solitary, single, or detached.

• Example Word: Solitary (done, existing, or living completely alone

aqua (root)

Definition: Water or marine environments.

• Example Word: Aquarium (a transparent tank of water where aquatic creatures live

ject (root)

Definition: To throw, launch, cast, or propel forward.

• Example Word: Eject (to force, expel, or throw something out)

multi- (prefix)

Definition: Many, numerous, multiple, or having various components.

• Example Word: Multitude (a large number or substantial quantity of people or things)

chrome (root)

Definition: Pertaining to color, pigment, or chromatic shade.

• Example Word: Polychrome (decorated in or displaying multiple colors)

hyper- (prefix)

Definition: Over, above, beyond the normal threshold, or excessive.

• Example Word: Hyperactive (abnormally active or unusually energetic

naut (root)

Definition: Sailor, voyager, navigator, or ship explorer.

• Example Word: Nautical (relating to maritime navigation, sailors, or ships

-phobia (suffix)

Definition: An irrational, deep-seated, or extreme fear and aversion.

• Example Word: Claustrophobia (an abnormal fear of being enclosed in tight spaces

therm (root)

Definition: Heat, thermal energy, or ambient temperature.

• Example Word: Thermostat (a device that automatically regulates indoor heat

contra- / counter- (prefix)

Definition: Against, opposite, contrasting, or opposing.

• Example Word: Contradict (to state the opposite of what has been asserted)