Prefixes and Suffixes Flashcards
This deck reviews prefixes and select suffixes that affect meaning. Students who begin fluency in another language may particularly benefit from this list.
What does this affix mean?
trans-
As in: intransigent, transient, transport, translate, transit
across
The term “affix” refers to either prefix or suffix.
What does this affix mean?
co-/com-/con-
As in: cooperate, cohabitate, commensurate, communicate, conclave, concur
with
What does this affix mean?
de-
As in: decry, defame, degrade, deflate, deduce
away / down / off
What does this affix mean?
ob-
As in: obtuse, obscure, obnoxious, obseqious
against
What does this affix mean?
sub-
As in: subjugation, subterfuge, submarine, subterranian
under
What does this affix mean?
ab-
As in: abstemious, abrogate, abstain, abstract, abdicate
away from
What does this affix mean?
pro-
As in: profligate, propitious, professional, prohibited
for / much, many
What does this affix mean?
dis- / dif-
As in: diffident, disparage, dismay, discourage, differential
not
What does this affix mean?
a-, an-
As in: atonality, asexuality, amoral, anarchy
not, without
What does this affix mean?
acro-
As in: Acropolis, acrophobia, acrobatics
high, up
What does this affix mean?
aero-
As in: aeronautics, aerodrome, aeroplane, aerodynamics
air
What does this affix mean?
ana-, ano-
As in: anachronism, anomaly, anonymous
out of
What does this affix mean?
ante-
As in: antebellum, antediluvian
before
What does this affix mean?
anti-
As in: antidote, antibody, antichrist, antifreeze, antifungal, antimatter
against
What does this affix mean?
auto-
As in: autonomy, autobiography, automobile, autopilot
self
What does this affix mean?
ex-
As in: example, exchange, excel, exfoliate, exhaustion, exhibit, ex-president, ex-girlfriend
out of / former
What does this affix mean?
be-
As in: bemoan, behold, befall, behead, bereaved, belabor, bedazzle, becalm, befriend, bedeck, bedight, beloved
over (bemoan)
On, upon (behold, befall) Off, away (behead, bereaved) excessively, completely (belabor, bedazzle) to make, become, or cause to be (becalm, befriend) adorned with something (bedecked, bedight, beloved)
What does this affix mean?
exo-
As in: exoskeleton, exocrine, exocytosis, exogenus
outside
What does this affix mean?
extra-
As in: extraordinary, extraterrestrial, extraneous
very, more / outside, beyond
What does this affix mean?
bi-
As in: bicycle, bilingual, bisexuality
two / double
What does this affix mean?
fore-
As in: foreknowledge, forethought, foreshadow, foresee
before, in advance
What does this affix mean?
hemi-
As in: hemimetabolous, hemisphere, hemimorphite
half
What does this affix mean?
hex-
As in: hexagon, hexapod, hexochromic
six
What does this affix mean?
hyper-
As in: hyperactive, hyperthermia
excessive
What does this affix mean?
inter-
As in: intervention, international, interactive
between / from one to another
What does this affix mean?
hypo-
As in: hypodermic, hypochondriac
below
What does this affix mean?
intra-
As in: intramural, intracity, intravenous
within, interior
What does this affix mean?
in-
As in: inflamed
extremely
What does this affix mean?
cent-, centi-
As in: centenary, centimeter, centipede
hundred, hundredth
What does this affix mean?
in-, il-, im-, ir-
As in: infallible, immoral, irrelevant, illiteracy, insensitive
not
What does this affix mean?
mal-
As in: malpractice, malnourished, maladroit
bad, badly
What does this affix mean?
mega-
As in: megabyte, megaphone
very large, in millions
What does this affix mean?
di-
As in: dilemma, divorce, dissect
two, double
What does this affix mean?
meta-
As in: metacarpal, metaphysics, metaphor, metahuman
after / beyond
What does this affix mean?
micro-
As in: microgram, micro-organism, micronation
very small, one millionth
What does this affix mean?
counter-
As in: counterpoint, counterweight, counteract, counterattack, counterculture, counterclaim, counterfeit, counterfactual
against, opposite
What does this affix mean?
circum-
As in: circumstance, circumnavigation, circumlocution, circumvent, circumspect
around
What does this affix mean?
dis-
As in: disability, disband, disburse, dissent, discovery
reverse, opposite
What does this affix mean?
chromo-, chromato-
As in: chromodynamics, chromatic, monochromatic, polychromatic
color
What does this affix mean?
mono-
As in: monolith, monorail, monotony, monocle
one, single
What does this affix mean?
mid-
As in: midterm, midnight, midday, midpoint
in the middle
What does this affix mean?
multi-
As in: multiculturalism, multilingual
many
What does this affix mean?
milli-
As in: milligram, milliliter
thousandth
What does this affix mean?
co-
As in: cooperative, cohabitate, coworker, coeducation
together
What does this affix mean?
dys-
As in: distrophy, dyspepsia, dysartria
bad / deformed, abnormal
What does this affix mean?
non-, non(a)-
As in: nonconformist, nonchalant, nondescript, nonfiction, nonlinear
Also as in: nonagon, nonagram, nonet, nonahedron
not / nine
What does this affix mean?
chrono-
As in: chronology, chronological, chronograph
time
What does this affix mean?
com-, con-, col-, cor-
As in: conference, connotation, context, collateral, corrigated, commune, complicate
with, together
What does this affix mean?
eco-
As in: economy, ecology, ecosystem, ecotage
house
What does this affix mean?
mini-
As in: minimum, minimize, miniskirt, miniscule
small
What does this affix mean?
octo-, octa-
As in: octane, octopod, octagon, octahedron
eight
What does this affix mean?
ecto-
As in: ectoskeleton, ectoplasm, ectoderm, ectosymbiont
outside
What does this affix mean?
mis-
As in: misapply, misanthrope, misogyny, mistaken, miscarriage
bad , wrong
What does this affix mean?
contra-, contro-
As in: contradiction, contraception, controversy, controfilleto
against, opposite
What does this affix mean?
cosmo-
As in: cosmology, cosmopolitan, cosmotheism
outer space
What does this affix mean?
deca-, deka-
As in: decamerous, decathlon, decade, decagon, decahedro
ten
What does this affix mean?
deci-
As in: deciliter, decimation, decibel, decimal
one tenth
What does this affix mean?
dem(o)-
As in: democracy, demographic
people
What does this affix mean?
epi-
As in: epitaxy, epidermal, epilepsy
above
What does this affix mean?
ergo-
As in: ergonomic
work
What does this affix mean?
ethno-
As in: ethnology, ethnolinguistics, ethnocentric
having to do with race
What does this affix mean?
eu-
As in: eulogy , euthanasia , eugenics , euphemism
good
What does this affix mean?
embryo-
As in: embryology, embryonic
seed / unborn
What does this affix mean?
cryo-
As in: cryogenics, cryoelectronics, cryostorage
frost, icy cold
What does this affix mean?
crypto-
As in: cryptography, cryptozoology
hidden
What does this affix mean?
dox-, -dox
As in: orthodox, heterodox, paradox, doxology
opinion / praise
What does this affix mean?
-able, -ible
As in: edible, laughable, incorrible, dependable
able to
What does this affix mean?
-ful
As in: bountiful, wasteful, playful
Full of
What does this affix mean?
-less
As in: feckless, hapless, jobless, homeless
Without, lacking
