The English language is filled with words borrowed from ancient Greek and Latin, which makes supplementing your instruction with word parts practice that much more critical. There are countless ways to incorporate word parts into your lesson plans. You may already have a structured plan in place, or you might be testing the waters. Either way, teach your students to be word detectives. A word detective looks at all the clues to determine a word’s meaning. When students know how to decode large words by identifying root words and affixes, they will be sufficiently prepared to tackle higher level texts.
The table below lists 120 commonly used Greek and Latin root words, prefixes, and suffixes. It also includes the meaning of each word part and several example words. It’s a great place to start if you’re interested in adding a regularly scheduled word parts practice to your daily teaching agenda.
| Word Part | Meaning | Example Words |
| ab | away | absent, abnormal, absorb |
| ab | away | absent, abnormal, absorb |
| able/ible | capable of | reversible, breakable, visible |
| ad | to; toward | adhere, adjoin, adapt |
| al | having to do with | herbal, factual, seasonal |
| amb/ambi | around; both | ambient, ambiguous, amble |
| ante | before | anterior, antebellum, antecedent |
| anthrop | human | anthropology, misanthrope, philanthropist |
| anti | against | antibiotic, antisocial, antifreeze |
| aqu | water | aquarium, aqueduct, aquifer |
| ast | star | astronomy, astrology, asteroid |
| aud | hear | audio, audience, auditorium |
| auto | self | autograph, automobile, autobiography |
| ben/bene | good | benefit, benign, benevolent |
| bi | two | bicycle, bilingual, bisect |
| bio | life | biology, biography, biopsy |
| cent | hundred | century, percent, centipede |
| chrono | time | chronic, chronological, chronicle |
| circum | around | circumvent, circumscribe, circumference |
| co/con | with; together | construct, collaborate, confer |
| counter | opposing | counterbalance, counterfiet, counteract |
| cred | believe | incredible, discredit, credence |
| cycl | circle | recycle, bicycle, cyclone |
| dec | ten | decade, decimal, decibel |
| dem/demo | people | democracy, demographics, epidemic |
| di/du | two | duet, dissect, dialogue |
| dia | across; through | dialogue, diameter, diagnosis |
| dic/dict | speak; say | dictionary, dictate, contradict |
| dis | not | disagree, disinfect, disobey |
| ence/ance | state; condition | performance, conference, insurance |
| equ | equal | equator, equality, equation |
| ex | former; past | ex-girlfriend, ex-president, ex-mayor |
| fer | carry | transfer, conifer, aquifer |
| frac/frag | break | fraction, fragment, fragile |
| ful | full of | thoughtful, painful, helpful |
| gen | born | gene, gender, genesis |
| geo | earth | geology, geode, geography |
| grad | step | graduation, graduate, gradual |
| graph | write | paragraph, calligraphy, autograph |
| hydro/hydra | water | hydrate, hydrogen, hydroplane |
| hyper | over; beyond | hyperactive, hyperlink, hyperventilate |
| ian | related to; like | librarian, pedestrian, historian |
| ic/tic | having to do with | realistic, organic, metallic |
| ile | related to | reptile, sterile, juvenile |
| in | not | incapable, incomplete, inaudible |
| inter | between | internet, intermission, international |
| intra | within | intrastate, intramural, intrapersonal |
| ism | condition; belief in | racism, tourism, journalism |
| ist | person who does | soloist, artist, cyclist |
| ity | state of being | creativity, disability, equality |
| ject | throw | eject, reject, interject |
| junct | join | juncture, junction, adjunct |
| less | without | homeless, useless, wireless |
| log | word | monologue, prologue, eulogy |
| ly | how; how often | quickly, hourly, carefully |
| magn | large; great | magnify, magnitude, magnificent |
| mal | bad; evil | malady, malaria, malice |
| man | hand | manicure, manage, manual |
| medi | middle | mediocre, medium, medieval |
| mega | large | megabyte, megaphone, megalith |
| meter | measure | diameter, perimeter, thermometer |
| micro | small | microscope, microwave, microbe |
| min | small | miniature, minute, minimum |
| mis | wrong | misbehave, misspell, miscount |
| miss/mit | send | missile, transmit, dismiss |
| mon/mono | one | monument, monologue, monorail |
| mort | death | immortal, mortify, mortuary |
| multi | many | multicolored, multicolored, multigrain |
| non | not | nonviolent, nonstop, nonfiction |
| oct/octo | eight | octopus, octagon, octave |
| ology | study of | biology, zoology, psychology |
| ortho | straight | orthodontist, orthopedic, orthodox |
| ous | having | virtuous, adventurous, hazardous |
| pan | all | panorama, pandemic, pantheon |
| para | beside; related | parallel, parasite, paramedic |
| path | disease; feeling | pathogen, psychopath, sympathy |
| ped | foot | pedal, pedestrian, pedometer |
| phobia | fear | claustrophobia, hydrophobia, arachnophobia |
| phon | sound | telephone, saxophone, microphone |
| photo | light | photon, photography, photosynthesis |
| phys | body; nature | physician, physical, physique |
| plex | parts; units | complex, cineplex, duplex |
| poly | many | polygon, polytheism, polygraph |
| port | carry | airport, transport, import |
| pos | put; place | position, compose, deposit |
| post | after | posterior, postscript, postpone |
| pre | before | pregame, preview, prepay |
| psych | mind | psychology, psychic, psychiatrist |
| quad | four | quadruple, quadrant, quadratic |
| re | again | rebuild, refund, renew |
| retro | back; backwards | retrospect, retroactive, retrograde |
| rupt | break | disrupt, interrupt, erupt |
| scope | look; see | periscope, telescope, microscope |
| script/scrib | write | scribble, prescribe, manuscript |
| sect | cut | section, dissect, intersect |
| semi | half | semicircle, semifinal, semicolon |
| sens/sent | to feel | sentimental, sensitive, consent |
| soci | people | sociology, social, associate |
| sol | alone | solo, solitary, desolate |
| spec | see | inspect, spectacle, spectator |
| spir | breathe | conspire, inspire, respiratory |
| struct | build | construction, structure, instruct |
| sub | under | subway, submarine, subtitle |
| super | over; greater | superior, supervisor, superimpose |
| syn/sym | with; together | sympathy, synonym, symptom |
| tech | craft; skill | technique, technology, technician |
| tele | far | television, telephone, telescope |
| terr/terra | land; earth | terrain, terrace, territory |
| the/theo | god | theology, monotheism, polytheism |
| therm | heat | thermometer, thermos, hypothermia |
| tion | action; state of being | infection, addition, celebration |
| tract | drag; pull | attract, subtract, contraction |
| trans | across; through | transform, transaction, translate |
| tri | three | tripod, tricycle, triple |
| un | not | unhappy, unhealthy, unsafe |
| uni | one | unicycle, uniform, united |
| vac | empty | vacuum, vacant, evacuate |
| ven | come | prevent, venue, invent |
| vert/vers | turn | conversation, introvert, reverse |
| vid/vis | see | visible, video, television |
| zoo | animal | zoology, zookeeper, zoo |
FREE! 120 Commonly Used Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
