Word Roots and Prefixes

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General Roots and Prefixes

Root or Prefix Meaning Examples
re back, again report, realign, retract, revise, regain, reflect, rename, restate, recombine, recalculate, redo
retro backwards retrorocket, retrospect, retrogression, retroactive
sanct holy sanctify, sanctuary, sanction, sanctimonious, sacrosanct
scrib, script to write inscription, prescribe, proscribe, manuscript, conscript, scribble, scribe, postscript, transcript
sect, sec cut intersect, transect, dissect, secant, section
semi half semifinal, semiconscious, semiannual, semimonthly, semicircle
spect to look inspect, spectator, circumspect, retrospect, prospect, spectacle
sub under, below submerge, submarine, substandard, subnormal, subvert, subdivision, submersible, submit
super, supra above superior, suprarenal, superscript, supernatural, supercede, superficial, superhero, superimpose
syn together synthesis, synchronous, syndicate, synergy, snyopsis, syncretism
tele distance, from afar television, telephone, telegraph, telemetry, telepathy, teleconference
theo, the God theology, theist, polytheist, pantheism, atheist, monotheist, theophany
therm, thermo heat thermal, thermometer, thermocouple, thermodynamic, thermoelectric
tract to drag, draw attract, tractor, traction, extract, retract, protract, detract, subtract, contract, intractable
trans across transoceanic, transmit, transport, transducer, transit, intransitive
un not uncooked, unharmed, unintended, unhappy, unenlightened, unremarkable
veh, vect, vey to carry vector, vehicle, convection, vehement, convey, conveyance, conveyor
vert, vers to turn convert, revert, advertise, versatile, vertigo, invert, reversion, extravert, introvert
ven, vent to come convention, prevent, intervention, convent, Advent, invent, inventory
verm worm vermin, vermicelli, vermiculite, vermicide, vermiform, vermilion
vita life vital, vitality, vitamins, revitalize
vol to will benevolent, volition, voluntary, malevolent

Don’t forget to study the many, powerful conjunctions that join words and phrases and clauses together.

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Number Prefixes

Prefix Meaning Examples
mono, uni one monopoly, monotype, monologue, mononucleosis, monorail, monotheist, unilateral, universal, unity, unanimous, uniform
bi, di two divide, diverge, diglycerides, bifurcate, biweekly, bivalve, biannual, billion
tri three triangle, trinity, trilateral, triumvirate, tribune, trilogy, tricycle, trillion
quat, quad four quadrangle, quadruplets, quaternary, quarter, quadrillion
quint, penta five quintet, quintuplets, pentagon, pentane, pentameter, quintillion
hex, ses, sex six hexagon, hexameter, sestet, sextuplets, sextillion
sept seven septet, septennial, septillion, September
oct eight octopus, octagon, octogenarian, octave, octillion, October
non nine nonagon, nonagenarian, nonillion
dec ten decimal, decade, decalogue, decimate, decillion, December
cent hundred centennial, century, centipede, centillion
mill, kilo thousand (10^3) millennium, kilobyte, kiloton
mega million (10^6) megabyte, megaton, megaflop, megawatt
giga billion (10^9) gigabyte, gigaflop, gigahertz, gigawatt
tera trillion (10^12) terabyte, teraflop, terawatt
peta quadrillion (10^15) petabyte
exa quintillion (10^18) exabyte
zetta sextillion (10^21) zettabyte
yotta septilion (10^24) yottabyte
milli thousandth (10^-3) millisecond, milligram, millivolt, milliwatt, millimeter, millipede
micro millionth (10^-6) microgram, microvolt, microwave, microsecond
nano billionth (10^-9) nanosecond, nanobucks, nanofarad, nanometer, nanomachine, nanotube, nanotechnology, nanogram, nanoscale
pico trillionth (10^-12) picofarad, picocurie, picogram, picomole, picosecond
femto quadrillionth (10^-15) femtosecond
atto quintillionth (10^-18) attosecond, attometer
zepto sextillionth (10^-21) zeptosecond
yocto septillionth (10^-24) yoctosecond