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Prefixes
and
Root Words
Ms. Jordan’s Reading Class
English contains many
words adopted from
other languages. In fact,
experts estimate 80% of
English words originated
elsewhere. The biggest
influence on the English
vocabulary is Latin.
Even though Latin is
called a “dead language,”
it still lives within the
English language.
Are you paying attention? Which
language has the biggest influence on
English?
33%
33%
33%
1. French
2. Latin
3. Spanish
Knowing the meaning of
prefixes and root words helps
you to understand words you’ve
never seen before.
Take, for example, the word:
hydrophobia
Let’s say you’ve never seen nor heard it before.
If you know that
“hydro-” means “water”
and “phobia” means “fear of,” you instantly
know the meaning of the word.
A couple more ….
1. “pre-” means “before” and “dict” means “to
say.” Put them together for the word
“predict” which means to say something
beforehand.
Now let’s learn
some prefixes and
roots.
ambi- means both
Examples:
Ambidextrous – the
ability to write with
both hands.
Ambiguous – having
more than one
meaning.
astro- means star
Examples:
Astronaut – a person trained
for a space flight.
Astronomy – the study of
celestial bodies.
Astrology – the study of
horoscopes.
aud- means to hear
Examples:
Audio – sound.
Auditorium – theatre
with acoustics for
sound.
Auditory – have to
doing with hearing.
com/con- means
together
Examples:
Combine – placing two
or more things
together.
Also…
• Connect
• Congregation
chron- means time
Examples:
Chronological – arranged
in order of time.
Chronic – continuing for
a long time.
Chronicle – a historical
report.
cide or cis- to cut
or to kill
Examples:
Incision – a cut or gash.
Homicide – the killing of
one human by another.
Suicide – the deliberate
killing of oneself.
Genocide – race murder.
circum- means around
Examples:
Circumference – the outer
boundary of a circular area.
Circumstances – continuing for
a long time.
Circumnavigate – to go, fly, or
said around.
dyn/dyna- means power
Examples:
Dynasty – rulers from the
same family.
Dynamic – a force in motion.
Dynomite – an explosive
device.
equi- means equal
Examples:
Equity – fairness.
Equator – circling the Earth’s
surface with equal distance
from North & South Poles.
Equilateral – having all sides
equal.
hyper- means
over or above
Examples:
Hyperbole – an over
exaggeration.
Hyperactive – overly active.
Hypersensitive – overly
sensitive.
hypo- means under
Examples:
Hypodermic – under the skin.
Hypothermia – under normal
body temperature.
mal- means bad or evil
Examples:
Malevolent – evil.
Malpractice – bad medical work.
“Maleficent” – the evil queen in
Sleeping Beauty.
micro- means small
Examples:
• Microscope
• Microwave
• Microchip
mis- means wrong
Examples:
Misuse – the wrong use of something.
Mistake – something wrong occurred.
Misunderstand – the wrong
understanding of something.
omni- means all
or everywhere
Examples:
Omnipresent – means always
present.
Omnipotent – means all-powerful.
Omnivore – means eats all food
types.
poly- means many
Examples:
Polygamy – marriage to
more than one person.
Polytheism – a belief in more
than one god.
Polygon – a figure with many
sides.
pre- means before
Examples:
Prefix – word part that
comes before the word.
Preamble – an introduction.
Preview – to see
beforehand.
post- means after
Examples:
Postpone – reschedule
for later.
Postscript – (P.S.) after
writing.
pro- means forward
Examples:
Protagonist – must move
forward through conflict.
Prominent – leading, standing
out.
Proceed – to move forward.
un- means not
Examples:
• Unable
• Unbearable
• Unstable
• Unhappy
• Unmistakable
Now it’s time to study
and memorize them!