Word roots, suffixes, and prefixes

dict

say, tell. Example: predict = tell beforehand.

scrib / script

write. Example: manuscript = written by hand.

graph

write, record. Example: paragraph = written section.

voc / vok

call, voice. Example: vocabulary = words used in speech.

log / lingu

word, speech, language. Example: dialogue = conversation between speakers.

gram

write, record. Example: grammar = rules of language.

bene

good. Example: benefit = something good or helpful.

mal / male

bad. Example: malfunction = bad operation.

uni

one. Example: unique = one of a kind.

bi / di

two. Example: bilingual = two languages.

tri

three. Example: triangle = three-sided shape.

multi / poly

many. Example: multiple = more than one.

pan

all. Example: pandemic = affecting all people.

omni

all. Example: omniscient = knowing all.

co / com / con

with, together. Example: cooperate = work together.

dis / di

apart, away, not. Example: disconnect = separate.

sub

under. Example: submarine = under the sea.

super / supra

above. Example: superior = higher or better.

trans

across, beyond. Example: transport = carry across.

inter

between. Example: international = between nations.

intra

within. Example: intramural = within the school.

anti

against. Example: antibiotic = against bacteria.

contra / counter

against, opposite. Example: contradict = speak against.

chron

time. Example: chronology = order of time.

temp

time. Example: temporary = lasting for a short time.

nov / new

new. Example: innovate = make new.

prim / first

first. Example: primary = first or main.

post

after. Example: postscript = after the writing.

pre

before. Example: preview = view before.

ante

before. Example: antecedent = what comes before.

circum

around. Example: circumference = distance around.

peri

around, near. Example: perimeter = boundary around.

tele

far, distant. Example: television = seeing from far away.

vid / vis

see. Example: visible = able to be seen.

spec / spect

look, see. Example: inspect = look closely.

cred

believe. Example: credible = believable.

sc / sci

know. Example: science = knowledge.

gn / nat

know, born. Example: recognize = know again.

memor / mind

remember, think. Example: memory = ability to remember.

cogn / gnos

know. Example: cognitive = related to knowing.

psych

mind. Example: psychology = study of the mind.

struct

build. Example: construct = build.

form

shape. Example: reform = shape again.

fac / fact / fic

make, do. Example: fiction = made-up writing.

port

carry. Example: transport = carry across.

rupt

break. Example: interrupt = break into.

fract / frag

break. Example: fragment = broken piece.

morph

shape, form. Example: metamorphosis = change of form.

man / manu

hand. Example: manual = done by hand.

ped / pod

foot. Example: pedestrian = person on foot.

bio

life. Example: biology = study of life.

viv / vita

life. Example: vital = full of life or necessary.

mort

death. Example: mortal = subject to death.

corp / corpor

body. Example: corporation = organized body.

anim

life, spirit. Example: animate = give life or motion.

path / pathet

feeling, suffering. Example: sympathy = feeling with someone.

magn

big. Example: magnificent = very grand or big.

min / mini

small. Example: minimize = make smaller.

micro

small. Example: microscope = tool for seeing small things.

macro

large. Example: macroeconomics = study of the economy as a whole.

mega

great, large. Example: megaphone = device that makes sound louder.

hydr / hydro

water. Example: hydrate = add water.

aqua

water. Example: aquatic = living in water.

flor / flour

flower, bloom. Example: flourish = grow well.

am / amor

love. Example: amiable = friendly, lovable.

aud

hear. Example: audible = able to be heard.

sens / sent

feel. Example: sensitive = easily feels.

fer

carry, bring. Example: transfer = carry across.

gress / grad

step, go. Example: progress = move forward.

tract

pull, draw. Example: attract = draw toward.

cede / cess

go, yield. Example: proceed = go forward.

duct

lead. Example: conduct = lead or direct.

un-

not. Example: uncertain = not certain.

re-

again, back. Example: rewrite = write again.

in- / im- / il- / ir-

not. Example: incomplete = not complete.

non-

not. Example: nonverbal = not spoken.

mis-

wrong, badly. Example: misunderstand = understand wrongly.

over-

too much. Example: overestimate = estimate too high.

under-

too little, below. Example: underestimate = estimate too low.

de-

down, reverse, remove. Example: deactivate = make inactive.

en- / em-

cause to, put into. Example: enable = make able.

fore-

before. Example: foresee = see before.

ex-

out, former. Example: exit = go out.

pro-

forward, for. Example: promote = move forward.

-able / -ible

capable of. Example: readable = able to be read.

-ion / -tion / -sion

act, state, result. Example: creation = act of creating.

-ment

result, condition. Example: movement = act of moving.

-ness

state of being. Example: happiness = state of being happy.

-ity / -ty

quality, state. Example: ability = state of being able.

-ous / -eous / -ious

full of. Example: curious = full of curiosity.

-ive

tending to. Example: active = tending to act.

-al

relating to. Example: national = relating to a nation.

-ly

in a way. Example: quickly = in a quick way.

-ize

cause to become. Example: modernize = make modern.

-or / -er

one who does. Example: actor = one who acts.

-ist

one who practices or believes. Example: pianist = one who plays piano.

-ology

study of. Example: biology = study of life.