Word Parts: Roots and Prefixes

Word Parts

Roots

• A root is the core of a word, carrying the main meaning
• Roots are often derived from Latin or Greek words
• Roots can be combined with prefixes and suffixes to form new words
• Examples of roots:
  • "tele-" means "far" or "distant" (e.g. telephone, television)
  • "graph-" means "write" or "draw" (e.g. graph, graphic)
  • "bio-" means "life" (e.g. biology, biography)

Prefixes

• A prefix is a word part attached to the beginning of a root or word
• Prefixes modify or change the meaning of the root or word
• Prefixes can indicate:
  • Negation (e.g. "un-" in unhappy)
  • Location (e.g. "sub-" in submarine)
  • Time (e.g. "pre-" in prehistoric)
  • Size (e.g. "mini-" in miniature)
• Examples of prefixes:
  • "re-" means "again" or "anew" (e.g. repeat, review)
  • "anti-" means "against" (e.g. antibiotic, anti-war)

Suffixes

• A suffix is a word part attached to the end of a root or word
• Suffixes modify or change the meaning of the root or word
• Suffixes can indicate:
  • Plural form (e.g. "-s" in cats)
  • Verb tense (e.g. "-ed" in walked)
  • Noun formation (e.g. "-ment" in government)
  • Adjective formation (e.g. "-ful" in hopeful)
• Examples of suffixes:
  • "-ity" forms a noun indicating a state or quality (e.g. reality, celebrity)
  • "-less" forms an adjective meaning "without" (e.g. hopeless, helpless)

Word Parts

Roots

• Carry the main meaning of a word
• Often derived from Latin or Greek words
• Can be combined with prefixes and suffixes to form new words
• Examples:
  • "tele-" means "far" or "distant" (e.g. telephone, television)
  • "graph-" means "write" or "draw" (e.g. graph, graphic)
  • "bio-" means "life" (e.g. biology, biography)

Prefixes

• Attached to the beginning of a root or word
• Modify or change the meaning of the root or word
• Can indicate:
  • Negation (e.g. "un-" in unhappy)
  • Location (e.g. "sub-" in submarine)
  • Time (e.g. "pre-" in prehistoric)
  • Size (e.g. "mini-" in miniature)
• Examples:
  • "re-" means "again" or "anew" (e.g. repeat, review)
  • "anti-" means "against" (e.g. antibiotic, anti-war)

Suffixes

• Attached to the end of a root or word
• Modify or change the meaning of the root or word
• Can indicate:
  • Plural form (e.g. "-s" in cats)
  • Verb tense (e.g. "-ed" in walked)
  • Noun formation (e.g. "-ment" in government)
  • Adjective formation (e.g. "-ful" in hopeful)
• Examples:
  • "-ity" forms a noun indicating a state or quality (e.g. reality, celebrity)
  • "-less" forms an adjective meaning "without" (e.g. hopeless, helpless)

Learn about the core of words, roots, and how they're combined with prefixes and suffixes to form new words. Explore examples of roots and prefixes.