Decode Unknown Words Using Word Building Blocks
Use Prefixes and Suffixes to Help with Meaning
You won’t always have a dictionary when you come across an unknown word while reading. But you can use word parts to help you decode the new word. You may not get a complete definition of the new word, but you may be able to have a better understanding of it. Prefixes and suffixes, and other building blocks of words can help you uncover meaning. When a prefix is added before a root word or a suffix is added to the end of a root word, the word’s meaning changes. For example, add the prefix un- to the root word happy to make unhappy, the opposite of the original meaning of happy. Add the suffix -ness to happy to make happiness, meaning the state of being happy. You can use words you know to help you decode words you don’t know.
Here are 25 prefixes (word beginnings), 25 suffixes (word endings) and 25 Familiar Suffixes (word endings) to help you decode unknown words.
Prefixes (Word Beginnings)That Change Word Meanings
anti- (against, opposite of): antibiotic, antifreeze, antidote, antisocial
auto- (self): autograph, autobiography, automatic, autonomy
bi- (two): bicycle, bilingual, biannual, binary
co- (with, together): cooperate, coexist, coordinate, coauthor
de- (reverse, remove, down): deactivate, deforest, detach, descend
dis- (not, opposite of): disagree, disconnect, dishonest, disable
en- / em- (cause to, within): encourage, empower, embed, enclose
ex- (out, away): exit, exhale, exclude, exchange
extra- (beyond, outside): extraterrestrial, extraordinary, extracurricular
hyper- (over, excessive): hyperactive, hypertension, hyperbole
in- / im- (not, into): incomplete, incorrect, inhale, impossible
inter- (between, among): international, interact, intersection, intermission
mid- (middle): midday, midway, midpoint, midfield
mis- (wrong, badly): misunderstand, misbehave, misplace, mistake
multi- (many): multinational, multimedia, multiply, multicultural
non- (not): nonprofit, nonsense, nonchalant, nonverbal
out- (beyond, exceed): outperform, outsmart, outgoing, outweigh
over- (too much, above): overestimate, overactive, overpower, overeat
pre- (before): preview, preheat, prenatal, preemptive
re- (again, back): replay, return, rewrite, revisit
semi- (half, partial): semicircle, semiannual, semi-final, semi-conscious
sub- (under, below): submarine, subterranean, substandard, subscribe
super- (above, over): superhuman, superpower, supernatural, supermarket
trans- (across, beyond): transport, translate, transaction, transform
un- (not, opposite of): unhappy, unknown, undo, untie
Suffixes (Word Endings) That Change Word Meaning
-al (pertaining to): personal, natural, cultural, historical, musical
-ance / -ence (state or quality): importance, resistance, confidence, absence
-ant / -ent (having the quality of): elegant, constant, dependent, relevant
-ary (related to, belonging to): legendary, dictionary, honorary, customary
-dom (state, condition): freedom, kingdom, wisdom, stardom
-ed (past tense, completed action): played, walked, jumped, finished
-en (to make, made of): strengthen, broaden, golden, wooden
-er / -or (one who does): teacher, actor, dancer, inventor, creator
-ful (full of): beautiful, careful, joyful, helpful, powerful
-ic (pertaining to): scientific, poetic, dramatic, artistic, historic
-ing (action or process): reading, singing, running, cooking, driving
-ish (having the qualities of): foolish, childish, selfish, stylish
-ism (doctrine, belief, condition): realism, socialism, feminism, optimism
-ist (one who practices): artist, scientist, pianist, economist
-ity / -ty (quality or state): reality, activity, creativity, necessity
-less (without): hopeless, fearless, careless, helpless
-ly (in a manner of): quickly, softly, happily, sadly, beautifully
-ment (state or result of): enjoyment, development, excitement, achievement
-ness (state of being): happiness, kindness, darkness, illness
-ous (full of, possessing the qualities of): dangerous, famous, curious, generous, joyous
-ship (state, quality, or condition): friendship, leadership, partnership, citizenship
-sion / -tion (action or process): celebration, decision, invention, expansion, adaptation
-ward / -wards (direction): forward, backward, upward, onward
-y (characterized by): sunny, windy, happy, snowy, dusty
-ess (female): heiress, actress, lioness
Additional Suffixes You’ve Probably Seen Frequently
When Reading
-graph (writing, recording): photograph, autograph, biography, cardiograph
-meter (measure): thermometer, speedometer, barometer, odometer
-scope (instrument for viewing): telescope, microscope, stethoscope, periscope
-phobia (fear of): arachnophobia, claustrophobia, xenophobia, acrophobia
-phile (lover of): bibliophile, technophile, anglophile
-logy (study or science of): zoology, sociology, psychology, mythology
-cide (killer, killing): homicide, pesticide, genocide, suicide
-cycle (circle, wheel): bicycle, tricycle, unicycle, motorcycle
-dom (state, condition): freedom, kingdom, stardom, martyrdom
-graphy (writing or recording): photography, biography, geography, calligraphy
-algia (pain): neuralgia, fibromyalgia, nostalgia, myalgia
-cracy (rule, government): democracy, bureaucracy, aristocracy, technocracy
-ectomy (surgical removal): appendectomy, lobectomy, mastectomy, hysterectomy
-emia (blood condition): anemia, leukemia, hypoglycemia, bacteremia
-gene (origin, creation): genetics, hydrogen, pathogen, oxygen
-iatry (medical treatment): psychiatry, podiatry, geriatrics, pediatrics
-itis (inflammation): arthritis, tonsillitis, dermatitis, gastritis
-logist (one who studies or practices): biologist, geologist, psychologist, anthropologist
-mancy (divination, prophecy): necromancy, pyromancy, astrology, geomancy
-metry (measurement): geometry, barometry, spectrometry, volumetry
-oid (resembling, like): asteroid, humanoid, android, diploid
-sophy (knowledge, wisdom): philosophy, theosophy, sophistry, theosophy
-tomy (cutting, incision): lobotomy, anatomy, tracheotomy, vasectomy
-ville (town, city): Louisville, Greenville, Jacksonville, Nashville
-hood (state, condition, quality): neighborhood, childhood, motherhood
These word building blocks will give you a broader understanding of how words are formed and how their meanings can be broken down based on prefixes, suffixes, and roots. That gives you a total of 75 word parts to help expand your understanding of word construction!
