Prefixes and Suffixes
System of Affixation in English
In English, fixing a group of letters to a word to change its meaning, number, state or form is known as the
System of Affixation.
Base word | Affixation | Word |
|---|---|---|
determined pre + determined | predetermined | |
play | play + er | player |
weekly | bi + weekly | biweekly |
follow | follow + ing | following |
There are two primary types of affixation:
- Prefix
- Suffix
Prefix
A prefix is a small group of letters which are affixed at the beginning of the word.
- Subsidiary
- Nonviolence
- Intolerance
They perform the following functions:
- Indicate presence or absence
amoral | without morals |
|---|---|
injected | put into |
congenital | present from birth |
- Indicate position
hypodermic | under the skin |
|---|---|
circumnavigate | to sail around |
antechamber | a chamber before another |
Interstellar | between stars |
- Indicate qualities, size or number
thermometer | heat measuring instrument |
|---|---|
macrocosm | big world or universe |
polyglot | someone who speaks many languages |
- Indicates time, frequency or order
post dated | later than the stipulated date |
|---|---|
redo | do again |
primary | first |
Types of Prefixes
Negative Prefixes
Prefix | Meaning | Usage | |
un | not | uncomfortable, unbearable, unforgivable | |
in | not | incomplete, indecisive, independent | |
dis | opposite of | disinterested, disproportionate, displeasure | |
ir | not | irresponsive, irresponsible, irrevocable | |
il | not | illogical, illegitimate, illegible | |
im | not | improbable, impossible, impenetrable | |
non | not | nonviolent, nonchalant, non-invasive | |
mis | wrong/wrongly | misinterpret, misunderstand, miscalculation | |
mis | hate | misogynist, misogamist, misanthrope | |
mal | bad/ badly | malfunction, malevolent, malediction, malnutrition | |
anti | against | antinational, antibacterial, antibiotics | |
de | down, reduce | descend, decry, deject, demote, decline | |
a | without, not | asocial, amorphous, abiotic, atrophy | |
dis | apart, off, away | disband, disturb, disburse, dismiss | |
dys | bad | dystopia, dysfunctional, dyslexia |
Prefixes of Size
Prefixes of Position or Location
Prefix | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
inter | between | interstellar, intermediate, interval, intervene |
super | over, above | superfluous, supersede, superintendent, supervisor |
trans | across | transfer, transport, transgress, transmit |
ex | out | exterior, external, extraneous, extract |
in-/ im | inside | internal, induce, imbibe, impregnate, influence |
sub-, suc-, sus | under | subterranean, susceptible, submit, submarine |
sur | over | surface, surfeit, surrender, survive, surcharge |
circum | around | circumspect, circumnavigate, circumscribe, circumvent |
peri | around | perimeter, periscope, perimortem |
per | through | percolate, pervade, perfect, perforated, perceive |
infra | below | infrared, infravision, infrarealism |
ab | away | abduct, abstain, abjure, abdicate |
contra | against | contravene, contradict, contralto, contrast |
de | down | descend, decline, demote, decrease |
dia | across | diagonal, diaphanous, diachronical, diagnosis |
hyper | over | hypertrophy, hyperactivity, hyperbole, hypertension |
hypo | under | hypothermia, hypothyroid |
ob | against | obloquy, obnoxious, object, obfuscate |
pro | for | prologue, provide, protect, project, procreate |
syn-, sym | together | synthesis, syndicate, sympathy |
ultra | beyond | ultraviolet, ultramodern, ultra-royalist, ultrasonic |
under | under | underground, underachiever, underestimate |
meta | beyond | metastasis, metabolise, metamorphic, metaphysics |
mid | between | midterm, middle, midday |
by | near | bypass, bygone, by-product |
epi | upon | epidermis, epilogue, epitaph |
post | back | postern, posterior |
Prefixes of time and sequence
Prefix | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
pre | before | prevent, prepare, predict, premonition, prelude |
ante | before | antediluvian, antebellum |
prime- first | primary, primordial, prima donna, primate, primeval | |
post | after | posterity, posthumous, postlude, post marital |
retro | before | retrogression, retroflex, retrospect |
pro | before | progenitor, proceed, prologue, prophecy, prophylactic |
re | again | recur, recount, rethink |
fore | before | foretell, forestall, foresight |
after | after | after-effects, afterthought |
chron | time | chronology, chronicle |
Prefixes of numbers and amount
Prefix | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
mono | one | monotheism, monologue, monochromatic, monarch |
uni | one | universe, unitary, union, unanimous, unity |
bi | two | bicentennial, biannual, bicycle, bigamous, bipolar |
du-, di | two | duo, dual, dicotyledon, dichromatic |
tri | three | trident, tricolour, triumvirate, trifecta, trilogy, tripod |
quad | four | quadruple, quadruplets, quadrilateral, |
tetra | four | tetrapods, tetrameter, |
penta | five | pentagram, pentacle, pentagon |
quint | five | quintuplets, quintal |
hex | six | hexagon, hexadecimal, hexameter |
sex- six | sextuplets, sextet | |
sept | seven | septuagenarian, septuplets |
hept | seven | heptagonal, heptathlon |
octa | eight | octagon, October, octopus, octuplets |
nov | nine | novena, November |
dec | ten | decade, decimal, decathlon |
hendeca | eleven | hendecacolic, hendecagonal |
dodeca | twelve | dodecahedron, dodecaphony |
triskaideka | thirteen | triskaidekaphobia |
cent | hundred | century, century, centipede |
hector | thousand | hector, hectogram |
kilo | thousand | kilogram |
mega | million | megaton, megahertz |
giga | billion | gigabyte |
multi | many | multimillionaire, multipurpose |
poly | many | polynomial, polygon, polymath |
Miscellaneous Prefixes
Prefix | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
alb | white | albino, albinism |
ambi | both | ambidextrous, ambivalent, ambiguous |
amphi | both | amphibian, amphitheatre |
bio | life | biology, biohazard, biosphere |
auto | self | automated, autonomous, autocrat |
co-, com-, con | together, joint | co-dependent, companion, congregation |
en-, em | make, become | engender, empower, endanger |
eu | good | euthanasia, eulogy, euphemism |
cario | heart | cardiovascular, cardiogram |
hydr | water | hydrogen, hydraulic, hydrophobia |
ig- bad | ignominy, ignoble, ignorant | |
bene | good | benevolent, benediction, benign |
bon | good | bon voyage, bonhomie, bonafide |
homo | same | homonym, homophone, homeopathy |
pan | all | panacea, pan Asiatic, panorama |
pseudo | fake | pseudonym |
neo-, nov | new | neologism, novelty |
amo-, ami | love | amorous, amicable, amiable |
aqua | water | aqueduct, aquatic |
Suffix
A suffix is a group of letters which are fixed to the end of a root word or a base word. They perform the following functions:
- Change the part of speech of the word
meaning (n) | meaningful (adj) |
|---|---|
beautiful (adj) | beautifully (adv) |
subject (n) | subjecting (v) |
- Indicate whether the number is singular or plural
girl (singular noun) | girls (plural noun) |
|---|---|
stratum (singular noun ) | strata (plural noun) |
lifts (singular verb) | lift (plural verb) |
- Indicate the tense of the verb
hopped (past) | hopping (continuous) |
|---|---|
steal (past) | stolen (past participle) |
- Indicate the gender of a noun
host (masculine) | hostess (feminine) |
|---|---|
steward (masculine) | stewardess (feminine) |
executor (masculine) | executrix (feminine) |
Types of Suffixes
Noun Suffixes
Suffix | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
-al | state | refusal, betrayal, perusal |
-ance, -ence, -ancy, -ency | quality or state | militancy, performance |
-tion | condition | condition, relation |
-ice | condition | malice, novice, justice |
-er/-or | doer | painter, trainer, actor |
-graph | record | telegraph, phonograph, polygraph |
-ism | belief | Hinduism, communism, fascism |
-ist | doer | pacifist, pianist, altruist |
-ian | someone who does | Gandhian, guardian, politician |
-ing | name of an activity | reading, gardening, sleeping |
-ity | state | continuity, annuity, |
-logy | the study | geology, neurology |
-ship | state of | friendship, kinship, sportsmanship |
-sion, -tion | process of | expansion, determination, connection |
-ory | place | dormitory, reformatory, laboratory |
-orium, -arium | place | sanitarium, aquarium, crematorium |
-mania | madness | monomania, bibliomania, egomania |
-phobia | fear | hydrophobia, cynophobia, mysophobia |
-ure | state | composure, exposure, leisure |
-ment | state | abandonment, refinement, entertainment |
-ness | state | happiness, completeness, fullness |
Suffixes of Verbs
Suffix | Usage | Example | |
-able | to make | enable, disable | |
-ate | Latin origin verbs | recreate, abate, mediate | |
-ed | simple past or participle form | killed, toyed, booked | |
-en | verbs formed from adjectives | broken, frozen, sunken | |
-er | actions that have repetitive quality | blabber, snicker, mutter | |
-fy | do | magnify, specify, rectify | |
-ing | action in continuation | hearing, yearning, making | |
-ise | to make/do | revolutionise, apologise, despise | |
-ish | become or do | flourish, banish, demolish | |
-nt | to do | prevent, augment, content | |
-s, -es | simple present tense form | criticises, runs, laughs | |
Suffixes of Adjectives
Suffix Meaning Usage | ||
|---|---|---|
-able, -ible | having the quality of | flexible, available, eatable |
-al | related to | ventral, global, musical |
-ant | doing | dependent, buoyant, resilient |
-ic | having the quality | terrific, generic, specific |
-esque | like, having the quality | statuesque, picturesque |
-er, -est | comparative and superlative qualities | fatter, tallest |
-ose | full of | verbose, grandiose |
-ful | full of | beautiful, boastful, grateful |
-ing | participle form of adjective | interesting, frustrating, sleeping |
-istic | having the quality | realistic, artistic, surrealistic |
-ive | having the nature of | pensive, aggressive, massive |
-ous, -ious | full of | gaseous, spacious, gracious |
Suffixes of Adverbs
Suffix Meaning Usage | |||
-ably | with a quality | comfortably, admirably, disagreeably | |
-ibly | with a quality | audibly, horribly, negligibly | |
-s | shows time or place | backwards, always, forwards | |
-wise | shows manner or position | clockwise, otherwise, lengthwise | |
Root Words and Base Words
- The root word and the base words are the parts which contain the primary meaning of the word.
- Prefixes and suffixes are added to root and base words to create new words and ideas.
Root Word
- A root word cannot stand on its own as an independent word.
- It needs the addition of the prefix or the suffix for the completion of its meaning.
- For example, let us consider the words amphibian, regeneration and subtraction.
amphi prefix | -bi root | -an suffix |
|---|---|---|
re | -generat | -ion |
prefix | root | suffix |
sub | -tract | -ion |
prefix | root | suffix |
- In the above cases, the roots -bi-, -generat- and -tract- cannot stand alone as individual words.
- They are therefore known as root words.
Base Word
- A base word, unlike a root word, can stand on its own like an independent word.
- It does not need the addition of the prefix or suffix in order to function as a stand-alone word.
- For example, let us consider the words redone, nonviolent and unmoved.
- In the above examples, done, violent and moved can function as independent words.
Common Root Words
Root Word Meaning Usage | ||||
-acr-, -ac | sharp, tip, bitter | acropolis, acronym, acrid, acerbic, acid, acne, acme | ||
-ami-, -amo | love, friendship | amity, amicable, amiable, amorous, paramour, enamoured | ||
-anim | life, mind | animate, animal, unanimous, equanimous, pusillanimous | ||
-anthrop | man, mankind | anthropology, misanthrope, anthropomorphic | ||
-agog | lead | demagogy, pedagogy, synagogue | ||
-alt | high | altitude, altar, altiloquent | ||
-alter | other | alter ego, alternative | ||
-apt-, -ept | ability | aptitude, apt, adept, inept | ||
-arch | rule | monarch, oligarch , autarchy, anarchy | ||
-avi | fly, bird | avian, aviation | ||
-bell | war, fight | rebel, bellicose, belligerent | ||
-burs | purse, money | reimburse, disburse, bursary | ||
-cap-, - cept | seize | capture, intercept | ||
-cap | head | capital, decapitate | ||
-carn | flesh | carnal, carnage, carnivorous | ||
-cede-, -cess | go | incessant, accede, recede | ||
-cide | kill | suicide, homicide, regicide, parricide, insecticide, pesticide | ||
-clin-, -cliv | slope | incline, recline, acclivity, declivity | ||
-corp | body | corpuscles, corporation, incorporation | ||
-crat-, -cracy | ruler | democrat, bureaucrat, theocracy | ||
-cred | belief | credibility, credit, credulous | ||
-culp | fault, guilt | culpable, culprit | ||
-dic | speak | dictation, dictator, dictionary | ||
-doc | teach | document, doctrine | ||
-dol | sadness | dolour, condolence, doleful | ||
-duc | lead | abduct, induct, ductile | ||
-ego | self | egocentric, egoist, egomaniac | ||
-equ | equal | equal, equality, equity | ||
-fac-, -fic | to do | factory, factory, fiction, manufacture | ||
-fal | false | fallacy, fallible, false | ||
-fid-, -fed | faith | fidelity, confederation, infidel | ||
-flu-, -flux | flow | fluvial, fluent, influx | ||
-fort | luck | fortuity, fortune | ||
-fort | strength | fort, fortitude, fortify | ||
-gen | birth | generation, genre, generate, genome, genetic | ||
-grad | step | gradual, grade | ||
-graph | write | graphic, graphology, biography | ||
-grat | please | grateful, gratitude | ||
-grav-, -griev | serious, sad | grave, grieve, aggravate | ||
-greg | crowd | gregarious, congregation, segregation | ||
-gress | go | progress, ingress, egress, congress | ||
Root Word | Meaning | Usage | |
-helio-, -heli | sun | helium, heliocentric | |
-hol | whole | holistic, holocaust | |
-ject-, -jet | throw | jettison, eject, inject | |
-journ | day | journal, journey, adjourn | |
-jud-, -jur | law | judge, judicial, jury, abjure | |
-loc-, -loq | speak | elocution, colloquial, loquacious | |
-log-, -logy | study, word, sign | biology, zoology, neologism, logo | |
-luc | light | translucent, lucid, pellucid | |
-man | hand | manual, manufacture, manuscript | |
-magn | large | magnanimous, magnificent, magnum | |
-mit-, -mis | let, allow | admit, permission, intermittent | |
-med-, -mid | middle | medieval, Mediterranean, middle, midday | |
-nom-, -nym | name | anonymous, pseudonym | |
-nox-, -noc | night, harmful | equinox, nocturnal, noxious, obnoxious, innocuous | |
-path | feel | sympathy, empathy, antipathy | |
-phil | love | philosopher, bibliophile | |
-photo | light | photograph, photosynthesis | |
-scribe-, -script | write | script, scribe, scribble, scripture | |
-sent-, -sense | feel | sentimental, sensational, sensible | |
-soph | wisdom | sophisticated, philosophy | |
-terr | land | territory, territorial, terrestrial, terrain, terracotta | |
-vis-, -vid | sight | visual, video | |
-vac | empty | vacuum, vacation, vacant | |
-vol | fly | volatile, volley | |
-zoo | animal | zoology, zoophile, zoo | |
How to Use the Affixation System
- Thorough knowledge of the English affixation system helps us in guessing the meaning of the word purely by the means of its Prefix-Root-Suffix structure.
- Because of the limitations of our memory, it is not easy to mug up a large number of words at a time.
- We may find it difficult to associate the meaning of the word with its structure.
Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
innocuous | harmless |
unanimous | together in agreement |
translucent | allowing light to pass |
- With the knowledge of the affixation system, we can guess the meaning of the given word.
Prefix | Root | Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
in- (not) | noc- (harmful) | -uous (having the quality of) | not harmful |
uni- (one) | -anim- (war) | -ous (belonging to) | with a single mind (unitedly) |
trans- (talk) | luc (light) | -ent (quality of) | light passing across |
In this manner, we can guess the meanings of the words solely by the virtue of their roots.
Thus, in order to have a rich vocabulary, students should learn the Prefix-Root-Suffix method. It is an interesting way to expand your vocabulary with a little effort. Students who are well-versed with the affixation system find it easier to tackle difficult words and are more confident about their word usage. It will definitely give you an edge over the others when it comes to vocabulary.