roots, prefixes, suffixes

ambu

move; Example: Ambulance – vehicle that moves patients

andro

man; Example: Android – robot with human (male) features

anthro

human; Example: Anthropology – study of humans

bellu

fight; Example: Belligerent – aggressive, ready to fight

clam

shout; Example: Exclaim – to shout out

clin

bend; Example: Recline – to lean back or bend

cred

trust; Example: Credible – believable, trustworthy

fract

break; Example: Fracture – a break in bone or structure

gnos

knowledge; Example: Diagnosis – identification using knowledge

grad

to go; Example: Graduate – to go forward or advance

greg

group; Example: Congregate – to gather in a group

gyn

female; Example: Gynecology – study of women’s health

her

to stick; Example: Adhere – to stick to something

jac

to throw; Example: Ejaculate – to throw out forcefully

ject

to throw; Example: Eject – to throw out or expel

lum

light; Example: Illuminate – to light up

meta

change; Example: Metamorphosis – change of form

morph

shape; Example: Amorphous – lacking a clear shape

narco

sleep; Example: Narcolepsy – disorder causing sleep attacks

oper

work; Example: Operate – to work or function

pac

calm; Example: Pacify – to make calm

plac

calm; Example: Complacent – calmly self-satisfied

phon

sound; Example: Phonetic – relating to sound

senti

emotion/feeling; Example: Sentiment – emotional thought or feeling

somn

sleep; Example: Insomnia – inability to sleep

son

sound; Example: Sonar – navigation using sound

soph

wise; Example: Philosopher – lover of wisdom

spec

look; Example: Spectator – one who watches

term

end; Example: Terminal – something that marks the end

theo

god; Example: Theology – study of God or religion

ven

come; Example: Intervene – to come between

vid

to see; Example: Video – recording of what can be seen

voc

call; Example: Advocate – one who calls for a cause

vol

will; Example: Volunteer – one who acts by free will

A-/An-

without; Example: Amoral – without moral sense

Ab-

away; Example: Abduct – to take away by force

Ad-

toward; Example: Adhere – to stick toward something

Anim-

mind/spirit; Example: Animate – to bring to life or spirit

Ante-

before; Example: Antedate – to occur before

Anti-

against; Example: Antibiotic – against infection

Auc-/Aug-

increase; Example: Augment – to increase

Aud-/Aur-

hear; Example: Audio – relating to hearing

Auto-

self; Example: Autograph – a self-written name

Ben-/Bon-

good; Example: Benevolent – full of good intentions

Circum-

around; Example: Circumference – distance around a circle

Co-/Con-

with/together; Example: Cooperate – to work together

Contra-

against; Example: Contradict – to speak against

De-

separation/negation; Example: Devalue – to reduce in value

Hyper-

excess/over; Example: Hyperactive – overly active

Hypo-

below; Example: Hypothermia – body temperature below normal

Inter-

between; Example: International – between countries

Intra-

within; Example: Intravenous – within veins

Ir-

not; Example: Irresponsible – not responsible

Mal-

bad; Example: Malfunction – bad or failed function

Post-

after; Example: Postpone – delay until after

Pre-

before; Example: Predict – say before it happens

Pro-

forward; Example: Promote – move forward

Se-

apart; Example: Seclude – to keep apart

Sub-

below; Example: Submarine – vessel below the water

Super-

above; Example: Superhuman – above human capability

Syn-

with/together; Example: Synchronize – act at the same time

Trans-

across; Example: Transport – carry across

Ultra-

beyond; Example: Ultraviolet – beyond violet in the spectrum

Vice-

in place of; Example: Vice-president – in place of the president

-able

capable of; Example: Lovable – capable of being loved

-ate

make/function; Example: Activate – make active

-cess / -cede

move/yield; Example: Recess – a moving back, break

-cide

to kill; Example: Insecticide – kills insects

-cis

shorten/cut; Example: Incision – a surgical cut

-ette

feminine/small form; Example: Bachelorette – unmarried woman

-ist

person related to; Example: Artist – person skilled in art

-logy / -ology

study of; Example: Biology – study of life

-ous

full of; Example: Gracious – full of grace