Vocabulary: Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
Using word parts to understand complex vocabulary
Vocabulary: Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
Using word parts to understand complex vocabulary
Language Arts - Grade 9-12
- 1
The word unpredictable contains the prefix un-, the root predict, and the suffix -able. Explain how these parts work together to create the meaning of the word.
Start with the root word, then add the meaning of the suffix, and finally add the meaning of the prefix.
Unpredictable means not able to be predicted. The prefix un- means not, the root predict means to say what will happen, and the suffix -able means capable of being. - 2
In the sentence, The scientist's hypothesis was later contradicted by the results, use the prefix contra- or counter- idea to explain the meaning of contradicted.
Contradicted means went against or showed the opposite of something. In the sentence, the results went against the scientist's hypothesis. - 3
Analyze the word autobiography by identifying its major word parts and explaining its meaning.
Think of other words such as automatic, biology, and biography.
Autobiography contains auto-, meaning self, bio, meaning life, and graphy, meaning writing. An autobiography is a written account of a person's life written by that person. - 4
The suffix -ize often means to make or to cause to become. Explain the meaning of modernize in the sentence, The city plans to modernize its public transportation system.
Modernize means to make something modern or up to date. In the sentence, the city plans to update its public transportation system. - 5
The Latin root port means carry. Use this root to explain the meanings of portable, transport, and import.
Notice how the prefixes change the direction or purpose of carrying.
Portable means able to be carried. Transport means to carry something across or from one place to another. Import means to carry goods into a country or place. - 6
In the word misinformation, identify the prefix, root or base word, and suffix. Then explain the full meaning of the word.
The prefix is mis-, the base word is inform, and the suffix is -ation. Misinformation means incorrect or misleading information. - 7
The root cred means believe. Explain how this root helps you understand the meanings of credible and incredulous.
The same root can appear in words with very different tones.
Credible means believable or trustworthy. Incredulous means not willing or not able to believe something, because the prefix in- can mean not in this word. - 8
Choose the best meaning of the word benevolent in this sentence and explain your choice: The benevolent donor paid for every senior's college application fees. The choices are angry, generous, confused, or careless.
Benevolent means generous or kind. The donor helped students by paying their fees, and the root bene means good or well. - 9
The prefix sub- can mean under or below. Explain the meanings of submarine, substandard, and subconscious.
For each word, ask what is physically or figuratively below something else.
A submarine travels under water. Substandard means below an accepted standard. Subconscious refers to thoughts or feelings below the level of full awareness. - 10
The word retrospective contains the prefix retro-, meaning backward, and the root spect, meaning look. Explain the meaning of retrospective as used in the sentence, The museum opened a retrospective of the artist's early work.
Retrospective means looking back at the past. In the sentence, the museum exhibit looks back at the artist's earlier work. - 11
Use the root scrib or script, meaning write, to explain the meanings of manuscript, inscription, and prescription.
Look for how the idea of writing appears in each word.
A manuscript is a written text, often an original copy. An inscription is writing carved or placed on a surface. A prescription is a written order, often from a doctor. - 12
Explain how the suffixes -er and -est change the adjective subtle in the sentence, Her argument was subtler than his, but the judge noticed the subtlest point.
The suffix -er forms the comparative subtler, meaning more subtle than something else. The suffix -est forms the superlative subtlest, meaning the most subtle among a group. - 13
The prefix anti- means against. Define antithesis and explain how the prefix helps reveal its meaning.
In literature and argument, antithesis often involves contrast.
Antithesis means the direct opposite of something. The prefix anti- helps show opposition, so an antithesis stands against or contrasts sharply with another idea. - 14
Break down the word decentralization into meaningful parts and explain what the word means.
Decentralization includes de-, meaning away from or removing, central, meaning at the center, and -ization, meaning the process of making or becoming. Decentralization means the process of moving power or control away from one central authority. - 15
Use your knowledge of the root chron, meaning time, to write a clear definition of chronological and use it in an original sentence.
Chronology is the order of events over time.
Chronological means arranged in the order in which events happened in time. A correct sentence could be, The historian organized the letters in chronological order from earliest to latest.