Roots and Affixes

Front

What is a root word?

Back

A root word is the base part of a word that carries its primary meaning. For example, 'act' in 'action'.

Front

What is a prefix?

Back

A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. For example, 'un-' in 'unhappy' means 'not'.

Front

What is a suffix?

Back

A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning. For example, '-ful' in 'joyful' means 'full of'.

Front

What does the prefix 'non-' mean?

Back

The prefix 'non-' means 'not' or 'without'. For example, 'nonfat' means 'without fat'.

Front

What does the prefix 're-' mean?

Back

The prefix 're-' means 'again' or 'back'. For example, 'redo' means 'do again'.

Front

What does the prefix 'pre-' mean?

Back

The prefix 'pre-' means 'before'. For example, 'preview' means 'view before'.

Front

What does the suffix '-ology' mean?

Back

The suffix '-ology' means 'the study of'. For example, 'biology' is the study of life.

Front

What does the word 'circumvent' mean?

Back

To circumvent means 'to get around' or 'to avoid'.

Front

What does the prefix 'inter-' mean?

Back

The prefix 'inter-' means 'between' or 'among'. For example, 'international' means 'between nations'.

Front

What does the suffix '-less' mean?

Back

The suffix '-less' means 'without'. For example, 'hopeless' means 'without hope'.