Affixes

[PREFIXES]-[SUFFIXES]-[ROOTS]-[BASES]
PREFIXES
A
• a-, ac-, ad-, af-, ag-, al-, an-, ap-, as-, at- to, toward, near, in addition to
o aside (adverb): to or toward the side
a + side
o accompany (verb): to go with someone as a companion
ac + com + pan + y
o adjust (verb): to correct, to move closer to a correct position
ad + just
o affix (verb): to attach to something, to fasten
af + fix
o aggression (noun): hostile behavior towards someone or something
ag + gress + ion
o allocate (verb): to distribute to specific people or for specific purposes
al + loc + ate
o annihilate (verb): to destroy
an + nihil + ate
o associate (verb): to join with
as + soci + ate
o attend (verb): to look after, to go to
at + tend
• a-, an- not, without

o apolitical (adjective): without interest in politics
a + polit + ic + al
o anemia (noun): the condition (disease) of not having enough red blood cells
an + em + ia
• ab-, abs- away from, off

o abrupt (adjective): unexpected change
ab + rupt
o absolve (verb): to be set free from one's actions or obligations
ab + solve
• ante- before
o anterior (adjective): before or near the front
ante + rior
• anti- against
o antipathy (noun): dislike, opposite feeling
anti + path + y
• auto- self
o automotive (adjective): related to self-propelled machines
auto + mot + ive
SeyfiHoca www.seyfihoca.com 1
• bi- two
o biped (noun): a two-footed animal
bi + ped
o biennial (adjective): happening every two years bi + enni + al
• cat-, cata-, cath- down, with

o category (noun): a class or set to which a thing belongs
cate + gor + y
o catalogue (noun): a book or pamphlet that lists and describes
cata + log + ue
o catheter (noun): a medical device used to tranfer fluids
cath +eter
• circum- around
o circumvent (verb): to manage to get around a situation
circum + vent
• co-, cog-, col-, com-, con-, cor together, with

o cohesiveness (noun): the ability to stick together
co + hes + ive + ness
o cognate (adjective): related, similar in nature
cog + nate
o collaborate (verb): to work together
col + lab + or + ate
o commitment (noun): to entrust, to put into a place
com + mit + ment
o convenient (adjective): handy, nearby
con + veni + ent
o correct (verb): to set right, to be right
cor + rect
• contra- against, opposite

o contradict (verb) to state the opposite
contra + dict
• de- to do the opposite, to take away from

o decrease (verb): to grow smaller, to become less
de + cre + ase
• di-, dif-, dis- apart, separate, two, opposite, not

o divide (verb): to separate into two or more parts
di + vide
o differ (verb): to be unlike
dif + fer
• dis- not, opposite of, exclude

o distrust (verb): to have no confidence or trust
dis + trust
• e-, ex- out, out of, from

o emit (verb) to send out
e + mit
o expel (verb): to force out ex + pel
• en-, em- put into

o enamor (verb): to cause to love, to "put" someone "into" love
en + am + + or
o empower (verb): to give power, to put into power em + pow + er
• epi-, upon, beside, over

o epilogue (noun): the concluding section of a play or literary work
epi + logue
• extra- beyond
o extraordinary (adjective): going beyond normal
extra + ordin + ary
• il-, im-, in-, ir, not, in

o illegible (adjective): cannot be read
il + leg + ible
o imposter (noun): someone who poses as someone else
im + post + er
o inaction (noun): lack of motion, idle
in + act + ion
o irresolute (adjective): uncertain about hot to act, undecided, not having a
solution
ir + re + solute
• in-, im-, il- in, into

o instead (adverb): in place of, an alternative
in + stead
o import (verb): to bring into a country from another country
im + port
• inter- between, among

o interject (verb): to throw something (usually a comment) between other things
inter + ject
• intro- into
o introspection (noun): to look into one's own thoughts and feelings
intro + spect + ion
• mal- bad
o malfunction (noun): when something does not work properly
mal + funct + ion
• mis- wrong
o misconduct (noun): wrong doing, bad behavior
mis + con + duct
• mono- one
o monologue (noun): a dramatic performance or speech given by one actor
mono + logue
• multi- many
o multiply (verb): to increase in number
multi + ply
• non- not, no
o nonsense (noun): something that has no meaning or makes no sense
non + sense
• ob-, oc-, of-, op- toward, against, in the way

o obtain (verb): to gain or get, to get a hold of
ob + tain
o occur (verb): to happen, to come to mind
oc + cur
o offer (verb): to attempt to give, to propose, to try to hand out
of + fer
o oppose (verb): to be against, to stand in the way of something
op + pose
• over- excessive, above

o overwork (verb): to have too much work
over + work
• para- beside
o paradox (noun): a statement that seems true and contradictory at the same
time
para + dox
• per- through
o persecute (verb): to go after, to pursue
per + secute
• post- after
o postpone (verb): to put off to a later time, to delay
post + pone
• pre- before
o precede (verb): to go before, to come in front of
pre + cede
• pro- for, foward

o propel (verb): to push forward
pro + pel
• re- back, again

o readmit (verb): to allow in again
re + ad + mit
• retro- backward
o retrospect (noun) to look back at past events
retro + spect
• se- apart, move away from

o secede (verb): to withdraw from an organization
se + cede
• semi- half
o semiannual (adjective): occurring twice a year
semi + annu + al
• sub-, suc-, suf-, sup-, sur-, sus under, beneath, near, from below, secretly, above, up
o submarine (adjective): underwater
sub + mar + ine
o succeed (verb): to do well, to come after
suc + ceed
o suffice (verb): to be enough
suf + fice
o support (verb): to hold up, too keep up
sup + port
o survive (verb): to live, to live through something, to exist
sur + vive
o sustain (verb): to keep up, to hold up,
sus + tain
• super- over, above

o superimpose (verb): to place something on top of something else
super + im + pose
• syn-, sym- together, at the same time

o synchronous (adjective): happening at the same time
syn + chron + ous
o sympathy (noun): sharing another person's feelings, compassion
sym + path + y
• trans- across, beyond, change

o transform (verb): to change shape
trans + form
• tri- three
o tripod (noun): a three-legged stand
tri + pod
• un- not, against, opposite

o unceasing (adjective): never ending, continuous
un + ceas + ing
• uni- one
o uniform (adjective): having the same form or consistancy
uni + form
SUFFIXES
NOUNS
• -acy, -cy
o Noun: state or quality
privacy: the state of being alone
priv + acy
infancy: the state of being a baby or young child
in + fan + cy
• -age
o Noun: activity, or result of action
courage : having the spirit to overcome fear
cour + age
• -al
o Noun: action, result of action
referral : the action of directing a person to another place, person or
thing
re + ferr + al
• -an
o Noun: person
artisan : a craftsperson
arti + san
• -ance, -ence
o Noun: action, state, quality or process
resistance : the action of opposing something
re + sist + ance
independence: the state of not being under the control of others, free,
self-governing
in + de + pend + ence
• -ancy, -ency
o Noun: state, quality or capacity
vacancy : an empty room or position
vac + ancy
agency: the capacity to exert power or influence, a position or person
that performs a function
ag + ency
• -ant, -ent
o Noun: an agent, something that performs the action
disinfectant : an agent that destroys germs, somthing that cleans
dis + in + fect + ant
dependent: a thing supported by another, a thing determined by
another
de + pend + ent
• -ate
o Noun: state, office, fuction
candidate : a person nominated for an office or position
candid + ate
• -ation
o Noun: action, resulting state
specialization : the result of being distinguished by one quality or
ability
spec + ial + iz + ation
• -dom
o Noun: place, state of being
wisdom : possessing knowledge
wis + dom
• -er, -or
o Noun: person or thing that does something
porter : a person who carries things
port + er
collector: a person who collects or gathers things
col + lect + or
• -ful
o Noun: an amount or quanity that fills
mouthful : an amount that fills the mouth
mouth + ful
• -ian, an
o Noun: related to, one that is
pedestrian : a person who walks
ped + estr + ian
human: a person
hum + an
• -ia
o Noun: names, diseases
phobia : an illogical fear of something
phob + ia
• -iatry
o Noun: art of healing
psychiatry : branch of medicine that deals with the mind and emotions
psych + iatry
• -ic, ics
o Noun: related to the arts and sciences
arithmetic : a branch of math that usually deals with non-negative
numbers
arithm + et + ic
economics: the social science related to studying business
eco + nom + ics
• -ice
o Noun: act
malice : the desire to do evil
mal + ice
• -ing
o Noun: material made for, activity, result of an activity
flooring : a material made for floors

floor + ing
swimming: the activity of swimming or moving through water
swim(m) + ing
building: the result of making a structure
build + ing
• -ion
o Noun: condition or action
abduction : the action of carrying someone away by force
ab + duct + ion
• -ism
o Noun: doctrine, belief, action or conduct
formalism : a belief in sticking to prescribed forms or artistic styles
form + al + ism
• -ist
o Noun: person or member
podiatrist : a foot doctor
pod + iatr + ist
• -ite
o Noun: product or part
graphite : a black material used in making pencils
graph + ite
• -ity, ty
o Noun: state or quality
lucidity : clear thinking
luc + id + ity
novelty: something new or unusual
nov + el + ty
• -ive
o Noun: condition
native : a person born in a specific place
nat + ive
• -ment
o Noun: condition or result
document : an official paper usually showinf proof or evidence of
something
docu + ment
• -ness
o Noun: state, condition, quality
kindness : the quality of being kind or nice
kind + ness
• -or
o Noun: condition or activity
valor : bravery, courage
val + or
• -ory
o Noun: place for, serves for
territory : an area around a place
territ + ory
• -ship
o Noun: status, condition
relationship : the state of being related or connected to something or
someone
re + lat + ion + ship
• -ure
o Noun: act, condition, process, function
exposure : the condition of being exposed or unprotected
pos + ure
• -y
o Noun: state, condition, result of an activity
society : companionship
soci + et + y
victory: the result of winning something
vict + or + y
VERBS
• -ate
o Verb: cause to be
graduate : to give a degree to, to pass from one stage to the next
gradu + ate
• -ed
o Verb: past tense
attained : something that has been reached or grasped
at + tain + ed
• -en
o Verb: to cause to become
moisten : to cause to become moist or damp
moist + en
• -er, -or
o Verb: action
ponder : to think about
pond + er
clamor: to make noise, to call for loudly
clam + or
• -ify
o Verb: cause
specify : to name or indicate in detail
spec + ify
• -ing
o Verb: present participle
depicting : showing, describing with images or pictures
de + pict + ing
• -ize
o Verb: cause
fantasize : to dream about something, to create images in the mind
fant + as + ize
• -ure
o act
Verb: conjecture : to come to a conclusion by supposition or
guesswork
con + ject + ure
ADJECTIVES
• -able, -ible
o Adjective: worth, ability
solvable : able to be solved or explained
solv + able
incredible: not able to be believed, amazing
in + cred + ible
• -al, -ial, -ical

o Adjective: quality, relation
structural : related to the physical make up of a thing
struct + ure + al
territorial: related to nearby or local areas
territ + or + ial
categorical: related to a category, aboslute
cate + gor + ical
• -ant, -ent, -ient

o Adjective: kind of agent, indication
important : marked by worth
im + port + ant
dependent: determined or relying upon something else
de + pend + ent
convenient: at hand, easy to use
con + ven + ient
• -ar, -ary
o Adjective: resembling, related to
spectacular : related to something that is eye-catching or amazing
spectac + ul + ar
unitary : related to units or single groups representing quantities
unit + ary
• -ate
o Adjective: kind of state
inviolate : not disturbed, pure
in + viol + ate
• -ed
o Adjective: having the quality of
terraced : having terraces or steps
terrac + ed
• -en
o Adjective: material
silken : made from silk, a fiber produced by worms
silk + en
• -er
o Adjective: comparative
brighter : more light
bright + er
• -est
o Adjective: superlative
strongest : having the most strength
strong + est
• -ful
o Adjective: having, giving, marked by
fanciful : marked by imagination
fanci + ful
• -ic
o Adjective: quality, relation
generic : related to a whole group
gener + ic
• -ile
o Adjective: having the qualities of
projectile : something thrown with an outside force
pro + ject + ile
• -ing
o Adjective: activity
cohering : the act of sticking together
co + her + ing
• -ish
o Adjective: having the character of
newish : modern, recent
new + ish
• -ive, -ative, -itive

o Adjective: having the quality of
festive : having the quality of a festival or party
fest + ive
cooperative : being able or willing to work with another person or
thing
co + oper + ative
sensitive: easily felt, responsive to the senses
sens + itive
• -less
o Adjective: without, missing
motiveless : a reason for someone to do something
mot + ive + less
• -ous, -eous, -ose, -ious

o Adjective: having the quality of, relating to
adventurous : charcterized by the desire to seek new experiences or
risks
ad + vent + ur + ous
courageous : characterized by courage, brave
cour + ag + eous
verbose: having more words than needed
verb + ose
fractious: characterized by being difficult or troublesome
fract + ious
• -y
o Adjective: marked by, having
hungry : having hunger, marked by a desire
hungr + y
ADVERBS
• -fold
o Adverb: in a manner of, marked by
fourfold : being four times as great
four + fold
• -ly
o Adverb: in the manner of
fluently : marked by ease of movement, effortlessly smooth
flu + ent + ly
• -ward
o Adverb: in a direction or manner
homeward : toward home
home + ward
• -wise
o Adverb: in the manner of, with regard to
timewise : with regard to time
time + wise
ROOTS
• act, ag: do, act, drive

o Latin, agere: to drive, lead, act, do
o active (adjective): moving about
• am, ami: love, like

o Latin, amare: to love
o amorous (adjective): loving
• anim: mind, life, spirit, anger

o Latin, animus: spirit
o animal (noun): a living creature
• annu, enni: yearly

o Latin, annuus: yearly
o annual (adjective): yearly
• auc, aug, aut: to originate, to increase

o Latin, augere: to originate, increase
o augment (verb): to increase, to add to
• aud, audit, aur: hear

o Latin, audire: to hear
o audible (adjective): can be heard
• bene, ben: good, well, gentle

o Latin, bene: good
o benign (adjective): harmless, mild, gentle
• bio, bi: life

o Greek, bios: life
o biography (noun): a book written about a person's life
• bibli, biblio: book

o Greek, biblion: book
o bibliophile (noun): a person who likes or collects books
• brev: short
o Latin, brevis: short
o abbreviate (verb): to shorten
• cad, cap, cas, ceiv, cept, cid: to take, to seize, to hold

o Latin, capere: to seize
o receive (verb): to take in, to acquire
• ceas, cede, ceed, cess: go, yield

o Latin, cedere: to go
o exceed (verb): to go beyond a limit, to be greater than
• chron: time
o Greek, khronos: time
o chronological (adjective): arranged in order of time or sequence
• clam, claim: shout

o Latin, clamare: to call out, shout
o clamor (verb): to make noise
• cogn, gnos: know to know

o Latin, cognoscere: to know
o recognize (verb): to know, to identify
• corp: body
o Latin, corpus: body
o corporate (adjective): formed into a body or association, united in one group
• cre, cresc, cret: grow

o Latin, crescere: to grow
o create (verb): to originate, to produce through imagination
• cred: trust, believe

o Latin, credere: to believe
o incredible (adjective): unbelievable
• cour, cur, curr, curs: run, course

o Latin, currere: run
o occur (verb): to happen, to come to mind
• dic, dict, dit: say, speak

o Latin, dicere: to say
o indicate (verb): to show, to point out
• doc, doct: teach, prove

o Latin, docere: to teach
o docile (adjective): obedient, easily taught
• dog, dox: thought, idea

o Greek, dokein: seem, think
o dogma (noun): an established opinion
• dec, dign: suitable

o Latin, decere: to be suitable
o decent (adjective): conforming to standards, suitable, good
• duc, duct**: lead

o Latin, ducere: to draw or lead
o conduct (verb): to lead or guide
(noun) - a person's behavior
o ** ducere is one of the most prolific sources of English words
• ev, et: time, age

o Latin, aevum: lifetime
o medieval (adjective): related to the Middle Ages (500 - 1500 AD)
• fac, fact, fec, fic, fas, fea: make do, do

o Latin, facere - make, do
o difficult (noun): hard to do, troublesome
• fer: bear, carry

o Latin, ferre: bear, carry
o infer (verb): to come to a conclusion from looking at facts, to guess
• fict, feign, fain: shape, make, fashion

o Latin, fingere: shape, make
o fiction (noun): something produced from imagination, an invented story
• fid: belief, faith

o Latin, fidere: to trust
o confide (verb): to trust, to trust another person with a secret
• fig: shape, form

o Latin, figura: form, shape, figure
o figurem (noun): shape, pattern, drawing
(verb) - decide, plan, decipher
• flu, fluct, flux: flow

o Latin, fluere: to flow
o fluid (adjective): capable of flowing, a smooth easy style
(noun) - a liquid
• form: shape
o Latin, forma: beauty, shape, form
o format (noun): the shape and size of something
• fract, frag, frai: break

o Latin, frangere: to break
o frail (adjective): easily broken, not strong, weak
• gen, gin: to give birth, kind

o Greek, genus: birth
o generate (verb): to produce, to create
• geo: earth
o Greek, ge: earth
o geography (noun): a science that describes the earth's surface
• gor: to gather, to bring together

o Greek, ageirin: to gather
o category (noun): a class or set in which a thing is placed
• grad, gress, gree: step, go, move

o Latin, gradus: step
o degree (noun): a step or stage in a process
• graph, graf: write, draw

o Greek, graphein: write, scratch, carve
o graphic (adjective): written, drawn, vividly shown
• her, hes: to stick

o Latin, haerere: to stick
o adhere (verb): to stick
• jac, ject, jet: to throw

o Latin, jacere: to throw, to lie
o reject (verb): to throw out, unwilling to accept
• jug, junct, just: to join

o Latin, jungere: to join
o junction (noun): a place at which two things join
• lex, leag, leg: law

o Latin, lex: law
o legal (adjective): based on law
• lect, leg, lig: choose, gather, select, read

o Latin, legere: to choose
o collect (verb): to gather, to bring together
• loc: place, area

o Latin, locare: to place
o location (noun): a place, a position occupied
• log: say, speech, word, reason, study

o Greek, logos: speech, word, reason
o logic (noun): the study of reason, reasoning
• luc, lum, lust: light

o Latin, lucare: shine
o Latin, lumen: light
o Latin, lustrare: light-up
o translucent (adjective): permitting some light to come through
• man: hand, make, do

o Latin, manus: hand
o manage (verb): to handle with skill, to be able to do
• mem: recall, remember

o Latin, memor: mindful
o memory (noun): the ability to recall or to bring to mind
• ment: mind
o Latin, mens: mind
o mental (adjective): related to the mind
• min: little, small

o Latin, minuere: to lessen
o minor (adjective): less important, lesser
• mit, miss: send

o Latin, mittere: put, send
o admit (verb): to accept, to allow entry
• mob, mov, mot: move

o Latin, movere: move
o motion (noun): act of moving, action
• nasc, nat, gnant, nai: to be born

o Latin, nasci to be born
o nascent (adjective) - just born
• nom, nym: name

o Latin, nomen: name
o nominate (verb): to name for office
• nov: new
o latin, novus: new
o novice (noun): a beginner or newcomer
• oper: work
o Latin, opus: work
o operate (verb): to work, to perform
• pat, pass: feel, suffer

o Latin, pati: suffer
o passion (noun): a strong feeling or emotion
• path: feel
o Greek, pathos: feeling
o sympathy (noun): sharing another person's feelings
• ped: foot
o Latin, pes: foot
o impede (verb): to hinder, to slow down
• pod: foot
o Greek, pous: foot
o podium (noun): a platform, an area raised above the surrounding ground
• pel, puls: drive, push

o Latin, pellere: to drive, push, beat
o repel (verb): to drive away or push back
• pend, pond: to hang, weigh

o Latin, pendere: to hang, to weigh
o append (verb): to add or correct
• phan, phas, phen, fan, phant, fant: show, make visible

o Greek, phainein: show
o phantom (noun): something seen but having no physical existence, a ghost
• phil: love
o Greek, philos: loving
o philosopher (noun): a person who seeks (loves) wisdom
• phon: sound
o Greek, phone: voice, sound
o phonetic (adjective): related to speech sounds
• pict: paint, show, draw

o Latin, pingere: to paint
o picture (verb): to paint or draw
• port: carry
o Latin, portare: carry
o import (verb): to bring in from a foreign country
• pli, ply: fold

o Latin, plicare: fold
o reply (verb): to respond, to answer
• pon, pos: put, place

o Latin, ponere: to lay down, put, place
o postpone (verb): to put off to a later time
• psych: mind
o Greek, psukhe: soul, spirit
o psychology (noun): study of how the mind works
• quir, quis, quest, quer: seek, ask

o Latin, quaerere: seek, ask
o query (verb): to ask questions
• rupt: break
o Latin, rumpere: break
o rupture (verb): to break or burst
• sci, scio: to know

o Latin, scire: to know
o conscious (adjective): aware, having knowledge of oneself
• scrib, scrip: write

o Latin, scribere: to write
o script (noun): handwriting, something written
• sent, sens: feel, think

o Latin, sentire: feel
o sentiment (noun): a thought prompted by feeling
• sequ, secut, sue: follow

o Latin, sequi: to follow
o sequence (noun): a continuous series
• sist: to withstand, make up

o Latin, sistere: to make a stand
o insist (verb): to be firm about something needed, to demand
• soci: to join, companions

o Latin, sociare, socius: to join, a companion
o sociable (adjective): inclined to seek friendship, companionship
• sol: alone
o Latin, solus: alone, single
o solitary (adjective): being alone
• solv, solu, solut: loosen, explain

o Latin, solvere: too loosen, release
o solve (verb): to find an answer
• spec, spi, spic, spect: look

o Latin, specere: look, look at
o spectator (noun): a person who watches
• spir: breath, soul

o Latin, spirare: breathe
o respiration (noun): breathing
• stab, stat: stand

o Latin, stare: to stand
o stature (noun) - height of a standing body, importance of position
• strain, strict, string, stige: bind, pull

o Latin, stringere: to bind or pull tight
o constrict (verb) - to squeeze, to make narrow
• stru, struct, stroy: build

o Latin, struere: to build
o destroy (verb): to ruin, to pull down
• tact, tang, tig, ting: touch

o Latin, tangere: to touch
o tactile (adjective): related to the sense of touch
• tele: far away

o Greek, telos: end
o telepathy (noun): communication from one mind to another without verbal or
written communication
• tend, tens: stretch

o Latin, tendere: to stretch
o contend (verb): to strive or reach for, to argue
• tain, ten, tent, tin: hold, keep, have

o Latin, tenere: to hold
o retain (verb): to keep, to hold in place
• term: end, boundary, limit

o Latin, terminusm: limit, boundary
o exterminate (verb): to kill off, to get rid of
• terr: earth
o Latin, terra: earth
o territory (noun): area of land
• test: see, witness

o Latin, testis: witness
o attest (verb): to provide proof, to say something is true
• therm: heat
o Greek, therme: heat
o thermometer (noun): a device for measuring heat
• tor, tors, tort: twist

o Latin, torquere: twist
o torsion (noun): twisting of the body
• tract, trai, treat: pull, draw

o Latin, trahere: pull
o attract (verb): to draw toward, to arouse interest
• uni: one
o Latin, unus: one
o unite (verb): to make one, to join together
• vac: empty
o Latin, vacare: to be empty
o vacant (adjective): empty, not occupied
• ven, vent: come

o Latin, venire: to come
o convene (verb): to assemble, to come together
• ver: true
o Latin, venus: true
o verify (verb): to confirm that something is true
• verb, verv: word

o Latin, verbum: word
o verbalize (verb): to express in words, to put into words
• vers, vert: turn,change

o Latin, versare: to turn
o versatile (adjective): capable of changing or adapting, useful
• vid, vie, vis: see

o Latin, videre: to see; Latin, videre: to separate
o visible (adjective): able to be seen
o divide (verb): to separate
• vit, viv: live

o Latin, vivere: to live
o vital (adjective) - necessary for life
• voc, voke: call

o Latin, vocare: call, voice
o vocal (adjective): spoken or uttered by the voice
• volv, volt, vol: roll, turn

o Latin, volvere: to roll, turn
o revolve (verb): to turn around
VOCABULARY LIST
A
act, ag
• react (verb): to act in response to something

o re + act
o How did he react when he heard the news?
• agent (noun): something which acts or acts upon something else
ag + ent
o The travel agent helped her purchase the tickets.
• active (adjective): involving movement, moving about

o act + ive
o Joan is an active child.
• agitate (verb): to excite, to disturb, to stir up

o agit + ate
o The washing machine agitates the load of laundry.
aud, audit, aur
• audible ( adjective): can be heard

o aud + ible
o Your voice is barely audible over the sound of the train whistle.
• auditorium (noun): a place where one goes to hear something

o audit+ orium
o The band played in the school auditorium
• auricular
o aur + ic + ul + ar
o The auricular ability of the cat is well-known.
am, ami
• amorous (adjective): loving

o amor + ous
o The actor played an amorous role.
• amiable (adjective) friendly, agreeable

o ami + able
o He seems to be an amiable man.
• amicable (adjective): friendly

o amic + able
o The two neighbors came to an amicable decision about the fence.
anim
• animal (noun): a living creature

o anim + al
o A dog is an animal.
• animate (verb): to give spirit or support, to supply movement

o anim + ate
o The artist animated the cartoon.
• animosity (noun): hostility, ill will

o animos + ity
o There isn't any animosity between us.
ann, annu, enni
• annals (noun): record of events, historical records

o ann + al + s
o The annals of the organization are kept in notebooks.
• annual (adjective): yearly

o annu + al
o She is planning on going to the company's annual meeting.
• annuity (noun): money payable yearly

o annu + ity
o Joan is going to invest her annuity in the stock market.
• anniversary (noun): the yearly celebration of an event

o anni + vers + ary
o John's parents will celebrate their wedding anniversary in April.
• perrenial (adjective): enduring, persisting for several years

o per + enn + ial
o I would like to buy some perrenial plants.
auc, aug, aut
• author (noun): one that originates or creates, a writer

o auth + or
o Susan met the author of this book.
• augment (verb): to increase, to add to

o aug + ment
o He had to augment his salary by taking another job.
• auction (noun): a sale of goods to the highest bidder

o auct + ion
o I bought this car at the auction.
bene
• benevolent (adjective): marked by goodwill

o bene + vol + ent
o The "Salvation Army" is known as a benevolent society for its acts of charity.
• benign (adjective): harmless, mild, gentle

o ben + ign
o The doctor removed a benign tumor from my neck and I went home the same
day.
biblio
• bibliography (noun): a list of written works

o biblio + graph + y
o Olaf listed a brief bibliography at the end of his paper.
bio, bi
• biology (noun): the study of life

o bio + log + y
o In biology class the students learned about how the human body works.
brev
• brief (adjective): short

o brief
o Anand gave a brief lecture on the rain forest.
• abbreviate (verb): to shorten

o ab + brevi + ate
o How does one abbreviate the word "Minnesota"?
• brevity (noun): short or concise expression

o brev + ity
o The politician gave short speeches and he became known for his brevity.
cad, cap, cas, ceiv, cept, cid
• deceive (verb): to cause or allow someone to believe something is true when it is

actually false; to mislead
o de + ceive
o The criminal deceived many people into believing she was honest.
• capable (adjective): having the ablility to do something; having the traits necessary to
perform some action
o cap + able
o Jose is a very capable lawyer.
• capacious (adective): containing a great deal

o capac + ious
o You have a capacious library with many unusual books.
• captive (noun, adjective): a person held against his or her own will; held prisoner
o cap+ tive
o The captives were taken to the jail.
o Geoff had a captive audience.
• accident (noun): an unplanned event

o ac + cid + ent
o Don't get upset about minor accidents and errors.
• capture (verb): to gain control of, to gain by effort

o capt + ure
o In the game of chess, the object is to capture the king.
• occasion (noun): an opportunity; a happening, instance or celebration

o oc + cas + ion
o Did you have an occasion to speak with your professor?
• receive (verb): to take in, to acquire

o re + ceive
o Imelda received many letters in the mail today.
• concept (noun): an idea

o con + cept
o The concept of using computers in the classroom is relatively new.
ceas, cede, ceed, cess
• predecessor (noun): a person who has previously occupied a position that another has
taken over
o pre + de + cess + or
o I hope I can live up to my predecessor's reputation.
• succeed (verb): to follow after another, to do well

o suc + ceed
o To succeed as a student, one must study.
• recede (verb): to move back, to withdraw

o re + cede
o The water receded five days after the flood.
• concede (verb): to accept as true, to yield, to allow

o con + cede
o I conceded to her point of view.
• exceed (verb): to go beyond a limit, to be greater than

o ex + ceed
o The driver exceeded the speed limit by ten miles an hour.
• recess (noun): an indentation, a temporary break

o re + cess
o The children were given a recess from the lessons.
• deceased (adjective): dead

o de + ceas + ed
o The deceased person will be cremated rather than buried.
chron
• chronic (adjective): marked by a long period of time, recurrence

o chron + ic
o Gabrielle has a chronic back disorder and cannot lift heavy objects.
• chronicle (noun): a historical account arranged in order of time

o chron + icle
o The teacher asked us to read a chronicle on the Revolutionary War.
• chronological (adjective): arranged in order of time

o chrono + log + ical
o The text book listed the presidents in chronological order.
clam, claim
• acclaim (verb): praise

o ac + claim
o The restaurant is acclaimed for its desserts.
• exclaim (verb): to speak loudly, to cry out in surprise

o ex + claim
o The children exclaimed "hurray" when they heard there would be no classes
tomorrow.
• clamor (noun, verb): n. noise, v. to make noise

o clam + or
o The children clamored for more ice cream.
• proclaim (verb): to declare loudly

o pro + claim
o The president of the university proclaimed March 21 to be a holiday in honor
of the school's award winning faculty.
cogn, gnos
• cognizant (adjective): aware

o cogniz + ant
o The man was cognizant of the danger of walking through the park at night.
• diagnose (verb): to recognize (diseases) by symptoms

o dia + gnose
o The patient was diagnosed with Lyme's disease.
• agnostic (noun): one who believes that any ultimate reality is unknowable
o ag + gnost + ic
o John is unsure of the reality of god and considers himself to be an agnostic.
• recognize (verb): to know, to identify

o re + cogn + ize
o I thought I recognized your face from somewhere.
corp
• corpse (noun): a dead body

o corpse
o A corpse was found floating in the river.
• corpulent (adjective): having a large body

o corp + ul + ent
o The corpulent politician jabbed a fat finger in the air.
• incorporate (verb): to unite into one being

o in + corp + or + ate
o The artist incorporated paint, photographs, and fabric into her artwork.
• corporate (adjective): formed into a body or association, united in one group

o corp + or + ate
o The corporate structure allowed many people to work as a group.
cre, cresc, cret
• crescent (noun, adjective): a narrow curved shape; a quarter moon or smaller

o cresc + ent
o The crescent moon could be glimpsed through the clouds.
• create (verb): to originate, to produce through imagination

o cre + ate
o The musician created a new musical arrangement.
• accretion (verb): growth by gradual addition

o ac + cret + ion
o The accretion of dirt on windows is sometimes hard to detect.
• increase (verb): to grow in size or amount

o in + crease Alfonse wishes he could find a way to increase his salary.
cred
• credible (adjective): can be believed, reasonable

o cred + ible
o The witness gave a credible account of the accident.
• credulous (adjective): too ready to believe

o cred + ul + ous
o The credulous child believed the story about flying horses.
• incredible (adjective): unbelievable, amazing

o in + cred + ible
o Makiko said she just saw an incredible horror movie.
cour, cur, curr, curs
• excursion (noun): a trip

o ex + curs + ion
o The father planned an excursion to the zoo for his children.
• discourse (noun, verb): a conversation, to talk

o dis + course
o The discourse between the speaker and the audience was informal.
• courier (noun): a messenger

o couri + er
o The courier gave the message to the secretary.
• course (noun, verb): forward movement, movement from point to point; to run along a
path
o course
o Blood courses through your veins with every beat of your heart.
• occur (verb): to happen, to come to mind

o oc + cur
o It just occurred to me that tomorrow is your birthday.
• current (adjective, noun): happening now, up to date; the movement of water

o curr + ent
o Is this information current or out of date?
dic, dict, dit
• dictionary (noun): a book of definitions

o dict + ion + ary
o Juliana looked up the word in the dictionary.
• condition (noun): the state of something or someone

o con + dit + ion
o Is your car in good condition?
• indicate (verb): to show, to point out

o in + dic + ate
o The gas gauge indicates that we are almost out of gas.
• dictate (verb): to speak for a person to record, to issue an order

o dict + ate
o The lawyer dictated the letter to her secretary.
• predict (verb): to say what will happen in the future

o pre + dict
o Joseph predicts that he will get married in ten years.
• addict (verb): to be devoted to something in an obsessive manner

o ad + dict
o Leslie is addicted to betting on the horse races.
doc, doct
• doctor (noun): a person who has received the highest degree a university offers, a
physician
o doct + or
o Andre is going to medical school so that he can be a doctor like his mother.
• doctrine (noun): something that is taught, dogma

o doctr + ine
o We learned about the doctrine of "manifest destiny" in our American history
class.
• docile (adjective): obedient, easily taught

o doc + ile
o Mrs. Galindez wants to buy a docile dog for her son.
• document (noun): an official paper

o docu + ment
o The library houses many government documents in its collection.
dog, dox
• orthodox (adjective): holding conventional beliefs

o ortho + dox
o I don't know if my interpretation of that book is orthodox or not.
• dogma (noun): an established opinion

o dog + ma
o Some people find the dogma associated with that organization disturbing.
• paradox (noun): a statement that seems to contradict itself but contains some truth
o para + dox
o The paradox of the matter is that I want to see the opera but I also want to stay
home.
dec, dign
• decorate (verb): to make something look attractive or suitable

o dec + or + ate
o Linda decorated her apartment with paintings and plants.
• decent (adjective): conforming to standards, good, kind

o dec + ent
o This magazine contains a decent article on home improvement.
• dignity (noun): quality of being worthy, noble, honored

o dign + ity
o I haven't yet had the dignity and honor of being grand marshall of the parade.
duc, duct
• conduct (verb, noun): v. to lead or guide, n. a person's behavior

o con + duct
o Jared was conducted into the doctor's office by the nurse.
o Arnelle's conduct was inexcusable and she should apologize to the class.
• educate (verb): to train, to provide schooling for

o e + duc + ate
o The school tries to educate its students to be productive members of society.
• induct (verb): to install in office or to enroll in military service

o in + duct
o Mindy was inducted into the army last month.
• deduct (verb): to subtract

o de + duct
o The salesperson deducted five dollars off the purchase price of the radio.
• deduce (verb): to make a decision or draw a conclusion by reasoning

o de + duce
o I deduced from the trail of crumbs and the empty milk carton that the children
were home.
• produce (verb, noun): to bring forward, to make to bear or yield; something made or
grown
o pro + duce
o The lawyer produced new evidence at the trial.
o The produce from the farm will go to the market next week.
• seduce (verb): to persuade (especially into doing something wrong), to tempt

o se + duce
o Money and power have been known to seduce many honest people.
• induce (verb): to persuade, cause, or bring about by artificial means.

o in + duce
o If a child swallows poison, it is suggested that vomitting should be induced.
ev, et
• eternal (adjective): not effected by time, without beginning or end, ceaseless

o etern + al
o The lecture seemed eternal and many in the audience had fallen asleep.
• medieval (adjective): relating to the Middle Ages (500 - 1500 AD)

o med + ieval
o There are many styles to medieval architecture and a building built in 500 AD
looks different from one built in 1000 AD.
fict, feign, fain
• faint (adjective, verb): indistinct, not clearly perceived, weak; to lose consciousness
from lack of blood to the brain
o faint
o There is a faint odor of apples in this room.
o Some people faint at the sight of blood.
• feign (verb): to pretend

o feign
o The child feigned illness in an attempt to avoid the test.
• fiction (noun): something produce from imagination, an invented story

o fict + ion
o The excuse Marvin just gave for not doing his homework is pure fiction.
fig
• effigy (noun): a figure representing a disliked person.

o e f + fig + y
o The children made an effigy of their nasty neighbor.
• figure (noun): shape, pattern, drawing

o fig + ure
o The figure Louise drew on the paper looks nothing like an apple.
• figment (noun): a thing that does not exist, something made up

o fig + ment
o Ghosts and monsters are figments of an active imagination.
fac, fact, fec, fic, fas, fea
• fashion (noun, verb): the form of something, style; to give shape or form to
o fash + ion
o The current fashion is hair worn short.
• feasible (adjective): capable of being done

o feas + ible
o The engineer thought that building the bridge across the river was a feasible
project.
• feature (noun, verb): the appearance or form of a person or object; to picture or

portray
o feat + ure
o Lisette's best feature is her eyes.
• factory (noun): a place where things are made or built

o fact + ory
o There is a boat factory near the river.
• difficult (adjective): hard to do, troublesome, hard to understand

o di + fic + ult
o The test was difficult and I answered only eight of the ten questions.
• fact (noun): something known to be true

o fact
o It's a fact that the world is round.
• effect (noun): a change caused by something, a result, influence

o e + fect
o The sun's effect on human skin is known to be harmful.
fer
• fertile (adjective): productive, bearing or capable of bearing fruit in large quantities

o fert + ile
o The land by the river is quite fertile and many crops are grown there.
• refer (verb): to classify within a general category, to send or direct to another source
o re + fer
o The patient was referred to a physical therapist for additional treatment.
• infer (verb): to come to a conclusion from facts or ideas, to guess

o in + fer
o Sometimes a reader has to infer from the facts presented in an article what the
main idea is about.
fid
• diffident (adjective): hesitant in acting, shy

o dif + fid + ent
o The diffident student would not speak in front of the class.
• fidelity (noun): the quality of being faithful, accuracy

o fid + el + ity
o The fidelity of this video reproduction is quite good.
• confide (verb): to trust, to trust another person with a secret

o con + fide
o Joan confided in her friend and told her a secret.
flu, fluct, flux
• fluent (adjective): capable of moving with ease, able to speak another language
o flu + ent
o The dancer had a fluent body.
o Juanita is fluent in several languages.
• superfluous (adjective): extra, more than is needed

o super + flu + ous
o Three cherries on my piece of cake is superfluous; I only needed one.
• influence (verb, noun): to have an effect on something; the ability to affect something
indirectly
o in + flu + ence
o It was John's success as a musician that influenced my decision to take guitar
lessons.
• fluid (adjective): capable of flowing, a smooth style, liquid

o flu + id
o The ink my new pen is quite fluid and flows evenly across the page.
• fluctuate (verb): to shift back and forth, to move erratically

o fluctu + ate
o My body temperature has been fluctuating all day -- sometimes I'm hot and
sometimes I'm cold.
form
• format (noun): the shape and size of something, the arrangement of something
o form + at
o The format of this class will be half lecture and half class participation.
• formulate (verb): to prepare from a set of steps (formula), to devise

o form + ul + ate
o The chemist formulated a new way of making dish detergent.
fract, frag, frai
• fracture (verb, noun): to break, to crack; a broken bone

o fract + ure Miguel fractured arm his while skiing.
• fragment (noun): a piece broken off, a part of something

o frag + ment
o It bothers me that I can remember only a fragment of the poem rather than the
whole piece.
• frail (adjective): easily broken, not strong

o frail
o Be careful! That chair is frail
gen, gin
• generally (adverb): in a general manner, usually, with regard to the whole not
specifics
o gen + er + al + ly
o Generally, Lance leaves work at 5:00 p.m.
• gingerly (adverb, adjective): careful

o gin + ger + ly
o Paulette picked up the antique vase gingerly and placed it on the shelf.
• indigenous (adjective): native, having been born in a specific area or environment

o in + di + gen + ous
o The tomato plant is indigenous to South America.
ge
• geography (noun): a science that describes the earth's surface

o geo + graph + y
o The geography of New York varies from the sandy shores to rocky mountains.
gor
• categorize (verb): to place things in classes or sets, to classify

o cate + gor + ize
o The professor asked her students to categorize the plants they found.
grad, gress, gree
• grade (noun): a stage in a process, a mark indicating quality

o grade
o Ali hopes to receive a passing grade on his midterm exam.
• progress (verb, noun): to move forward; forward movement

o pro + gress
o Mina progressed to the next level in her French language program.
o There hasn't been much progress made in getting the house built -- only the
frame is up.
• degree (noun): a step or stage in a process, a rank, a level of intensity

o de + gree
o There is a high degree of stress associated with being a police officer.
graph, graf
• graphic (adjective): written, drawn, vividly shown

o graph + ic
o Dominic is planning to study graphic art.
• graffitti (noun): drawings or writing on a wall

o graph + itti
o Many people find the graffitti on the subway trains disturbing.
her, hes
• adhere (verb): to stick

o ad + here
o Paper often adheres to wet surfaces.
• hesitate (verb): to hold back a decision, to waver

o hesit + ate
o Don't hesitate to call me if you need help.
jac, ject, jet
• adjacent (adjective): to lie next to

o ad + jac + ent
o You won't have a long walk between classes because the engineering building
is adjacent to the chemistry laboratories.
• jettison (verb): to throw away, to cast off

o jett + ison
o The captain of the sinking ship jettisoned the cargo.
• reject (verb): to throw out, unwilling to accept

o re + ject
o David was rejected by two schools before he found a school that accepted him.
jug, junct, just
• adjust (verb): to change or adapt to fit or match something

o ad + just
o Jared has to adjust to his new work schedule.
• conjugal (adjective): of marriage, marital relationship

o con + jug + al
o One should think seriously before entering a conjugal relationship.
• junction (noun): the place at which two things join

o junct + ion
o Deborah's house is at the junction of Hill and Maple streets.
lex, leg
• college (noun): a school for higher learning, a group of people having a common
purpose
o col + lege
o Yolanda is going to college to become a lawyer.
• legal (adjective, noun): based on law; conforms to law

o leg + al
o Jared is working as a legal secretary for two lawyers in New York
o Is it legal to own fireworks in Massachusetts or is there a law against them?
• league (noun): a group of people, an association

o leag + ue
o There are fifty people participating in the bowling league.
lect
• collect (verb): to gather, to bring together

o col + lect
o The little girl collected wildflowers for her mother.
• legible (noun): readible, clear enough to read

o leg + ible
o His handwriting is quite legible.
• eligible (adjective): qualified, worthy to be chosen

o e + lig + ible
o Now that Geoffrey is eighteen he is eligible to vote.
loc
• locally (adverb): nearby, relative to a certain area

o loc + al + ly
o The vegetables are grown locally.
log
• logic (noun): the study of reason

o log + ic
o Simone is taking a class in logic and she is learning about how to reason.
luc
• translucent (adjective): allowing some light to shine through

o trans + luc + ent
o The sheet of paper is translucent when held close to a lightbulb.
• illuminate (verb): to provide with light, to make lighter, to make clear

o il + lum + in + ate
o The lamp illuminates the room.
• illustrate (verb): to explain by using pictoral examples, to show by using visual

examples
o il + lustr + ate
o Christopher illustrated his idea on piece of paper for everyone to see.
man
• management (noun): the act of handling or running something, usually a business.

o man + age + ment
o This store is under new management.
mem
• commemorate (verb): to remember an important event through ceremony or

observation
o com + mem + or + ate
o The American Revolution is commemorated every Fourth of July.
• memory (noun): the ability to recall past events

o mem + or + y
o Geanine has an excellent memory and she can recall things that happened years
ago.
ment
• mental (adjective): related to the mind

o ment + al
o Lauren's mental abilities must be quite good if she achieved a perfect score
without even studying.
• mention (verb): to cite, to speak about, to refer to

o ment + ion
o The instructor forgot to mention that the class was canceled.
min
• minor (adjective): lesser, less important

o min + or
o The knife slipped and Marcelle received a minor cut.
• minute (adjective, noun): tiny, very small; sixty seconds

o min + ute
o Even though the speck of dirt on the camera lense was minute, it ruined the
photograph.
o Terry will be finished in one minute.
• minuscule (adjective): very small

o minusc + ule
o The minuscule gem was very hard to see without magnifying glasses.
mit, miss
• admit (verb): to accept, to confess, to allow entry

o ad + mit
o I must admit that even though you didn't like the movie I did.
• missive (noun): a letter to be sent

o miss + ive
o Missives were more common one hundred years ago. Today, people use the
telephone.
mob, mov, mot
• remove (verb): to take off or to take away

o re + move
o The waiter removed the dirty dishes from the table.
• mobile (adjective): able to move

o mob + ile
o Many people drive their mobile homes from North to South, following the
warm weather.
• motion (noun): act of moving, action

o mot + ion
o Many people find the motion of a rocking chair soothing.
nasc, nat, gnant, nai
• native (adjective): belonging to a place by birth, indigenous

o nat +ive
o Turkeys are native to North America.
• nascent (adjective): just born

o nasc + ent
o The nascent kittens curled up with their mother.
• pregnant (adjective): having a child developing in the womb, "with child"

o pre + gn +ent
o Linda's dog is pregnant and it will have its puppies in November.
• naive (adjective): lack of experience, not knowledgable of the world

o nai + ve
o When Olivia went to New York ten year's ago she was naive, but now she is a
well-seasoned traveler.
nom
• nominate (verb): to name for office

o nomin + ate
o Vittorio nominated Mary for class president.
• synonym (noun): a word with a similar meaning to another word in the same language
o syn + onym
o The word "fair" is a synonym for the word "just."
nov
• novelty (noun): something new

o novel + ty
o After six months the novelty of Pierre's new car is starting to wear off.
• novice (noun): a newcomer, a beginner, someone new to something

o nov + ice
o Bjorn is a novice when it comes to playing poker or other card games.
oper
• operate (verb): to work, to perform

o oper + ate
o People are advised not to operate heavy machinery after drinking alcohol.
• opus (noun): a musical composition

o opus
o Vivaldi's opus number three is not as well known as is other compositions.
pat
• patient (adjective, noun): calm, bearing pain without complaint; a person under
medical care
o pati + ent
o Josiah was patient as he waited in line for concert tickets.
o Amelia has been a patient of Dr. Gustaf's for ten years.
• passion (noun): a strong feeling or emotion

o pass + ion
o Barbara has a passion for motorcycle racing.
• sympathy (noun): sharing another person's feelings, the ability to feel for another
person's suffering
o sym + path + y
o Ching-wei expressed his deepest sympathy when hearing of Mrs. Martin's
death.
• pathology (noun): the study of diseases

o patho + log + y
o Blaise is studying pathology because he wants to learn about diseases.
ped
• impede (verb): to hinder, to slow down

o im + pede
o The shackles and chains impeded the prisoner's escape.
• pedestal (noun): a support for a column or other structure, a base for something
o pedest + al
o Johannes put the vase on a pedestal.
• pedestrian (noun): a person walking

o pedestr + ian
o As soon as the cars stopped, the pedestrians crossed the street.
pod
• podium (noun): a platform, an area raised above the surrounding ground, a place at
which to speak in front of an audience
o pod + ium
o The professor walked up to the podium and spoke into the microphone.
pel
• repel (verb): to drive away or push back

o re + pel
o Does Margo's new jacket repel water?
• pulse (noun): the regular action of blood through arteries

o pulse
o The nurse felt for the patient's pulse in his neck.
pend, pond
• suspend (noun): to hang from, to interrupt, to stop

o sus + pend
o The light was turned on by a string suspended from the light fixture.
• ponder (verb): to think about, to weigh in one's mind

o pond + er
o Levi pondered the possibility of going to medical school.
phan, fan
• phantom (noun): something seen but having no physical existence, a ghost.

o phan + tom
o The children told horror stories about phantoms and ghosts.
• fantasy (noun): a creation of the imagination that cannot be real, a daydream

o fantas + y
o When Miguel was a child he had a fantasy about being a doctor on the planet
Jupiter.
phil
• philosopher (noun): a person who seeks (loves) wisdom

o philo+ soph + er
o Plato wrote about the Greek philosopher Socrates.
phon
• phonetic (adjective) relating to speech sounds

o phonet + ic
o The phonetic alphabet is useful when studying languages or linguistics.
pict
• depict (verb): to portray, to represent

o de + pict
o In the movie the character was depicted as evil.
port
• import (verb): to bring in from a foreign country

o im + port
o Fyodor imports caviar and other products from Russia.
• portage (noun) the labor of carrying boats across land

o port + age
o Bill said that he had a five mile portage on his last canoe trip.
pli, ply
• reply (verb, noun): to respond, to answer; a response

o re + ply
o Did Marco reply to Emily's invitation?
o Lynn received a negative reply from her parents and she will not be going to
the party.
• implicate (verb): to involve, to incriminate

o im + plic + ate
o The thief was implicated in three burglaries.
• ply (noun): a layer

o ply
o Two ply tissue paper is stronger than one ply.
pon, pos
• position (noun): a place occupied by something

o posit + ion
o What position does Ian hold at his mother's company?
• postpone (verb): to put off to a later time

o post + pone
o The baseball game was postponed because of the storm.
• posture (noun) the position of a body

o post + ure
o Denise has terrific posture -- her back is straight and strong.
psych
• psychology (noun): study of how the mind works

o psycho + log + y
o Lynette studies psychology because she is interested in how people think and
feel.
quir
• inquire (verb): to ask about

o in + quire
o Debbie inquired about employment opportunities at the factory.
• exquisite (adjective): carefully selected, marked by beauty

o ex + quis + ite
o Everyone noticed the exquisite diamond Toni was wearing.
• quest (noun): a search, the act of seeking

o quest
o At four in the morning Quincy went out on a quest for ice cream.
• query (verb, noun): to ask questions, a question

o query
o The lawyer queried the witness.
o I have a query about the origins of the English language.
rupt
• corrupt (verb, adjective): to change from good to bad

o cor + rupt
o The politician was corrupted by power and money.
o The corrupt judge was arrested for accepting a bribe.
• rupture (verb): to break or burst

o rupt + ure
o The water bed ruptured and the water flowed onto the floor.
• interrupt (verb): to stop, to break in (usually with questions)

o inter + rupt
o It's impolite to interupt someone while they are speaking.
sci
• conscious (adjective): aware, having knowledge of oneself

o con + sci + ous
o Gerturde was conscious of everything even though she appeared asleep.
• science (noun): a system of knowledge

o sci + ence
o Claire enjoys science, especially biology.
scrib, scrip
• scribble (verb): to write quickly or carelessly

o scribb + le
o He scribbled a note in his notebook.
• script (noun): handwriting, something written

o script
o Sometimes her script is hard to read.
• describe (verb): to say what something is like

o de + scribe
o The scientist described his experiment to the class.
sent, sens
• sensation (noun): ability to feel due to stimulation

o sens + at + ion
o Jamal felt a tingling sensation in his arm after he hit his elbow on the table.
• sentimental (adjective): marked by feeling or emotion

o senti + ment +al
o Lauren has a sentimental attachment to that quilt because her great
grandmother made it.
sequ
• sequence (noun): a continuous series

o sequ + ence
o The sequence of events were as follows: first we had dinner, then we went to
the movies, and then we went fo ice cream.
• consecutive (adjective): following in an unbroken order

o con + secut + ive
o Terri was elected team captain three consecutive years in a row.
• ensue (verb): to happen afterward

o en + sue
o After a disagreement in the restaurant, a fight ensued in the parking lot.
soci
• society (noun): community, the relationship among individuals living or working in a

common area, companionship
o societ + y
o Sometimes what is best for a society is not always good for an individual living
in that society.
sol
• solitary (adjective): being alone

o solit + ary
o There was a solitary bather on the beach.
• isolate (verb): to separate from others, to place something by itself

o i + sol + ate
o The sick cat was isolated from the other animals.
solv, solu
• solve (verb): to find an answer

o solve
o The professor asked the student to solve the problem and show her answer on
the board.
• absolute (adjective): complete, unrestricted, perfect

o ab + sol + ute
o The babysitter has absolute authority over the children while their parents are
away.
• soluble (adjective): able to disperse in liquid

o sol + uble
o Sugar is soluble in water.
spec, spi
• spectator (noun): a person who watches or observes

o spect + at + or
o There were over a thousand spectators at the local baseball game.
• despise (verb): to hate, tolook down on

o de + spise
o Marguerite despises people who are cruel to animals.
• auspicicious (adjective): favorable

o au + spicic + ious
o The thousand dollar donation made for an auspicious beginning.
• espionage (noun): using spies or observers

o e + spion + age
o Espionage is often depicted in mystery movies and novels.
spir
• respiration (noun): breathing

o re + spir + at + ion
o Respiration becomes increasingly difficult the higher one climbs.
• inspire (verb): to stimulate, to fill with a feeling or desire

o in + spire
o Students are often inspired by their teachers.
stab, stat
• stature (noun): height of a body, importance of position

o stat + ure
o I'm reluctant to say she was short, but she was of rather small stature.
• establish (verb): to found, to start, to make firm

o e + stabl + ish
o Southampton College was established in 1963.
• stance (noun): a way of standing, a position, an attitude

o sta + nce
o A person's stance is very important in the games of golf and baseball.
strain, strict
• restrain (verb): to hold back, to prevent from doing

o re + strain
o The dog was restrained by the trainer's grip on its leash.
• constrict (verb): to squeeze, to make narrow

o con + strict
o Marvin felt constricted by the suit and tie he wore to the meeting.
• stringent (adjective): strict, tight, severe

o string + ent
o There are stringent rules and regulations one must follow when operating a
child care center.
• prestige (noun): respect for a person or a thing

o pre + stige
o There is a lot of prestige associated with occupying a political position.
stru, stroy
• destroy (verb): to ruin, to pull down

o de + stroy
o The house was destroyed by the fire.
• misconstrue (verb): to interpret, analyse, or understand something incorrectly;

misunderstand
o mis + con + strue
o Do not misconstrue his actions to mean he likes you -- being pleasant to
customers is part of his job.
• obstruct (verb): to block, prevent, hinder

o ob + struct
o The fallen tree obstructed the roadway and blocked traffic for hours.
tact, tang
• tactilely (adverb): related to the sense of touch

o tact + ile + + ly
o Some people are tactilely oriented while others are visually oriented.
• tangible (adjective): able to be perceived by touch, physically real

o tang + ible
o Many people want tangible proof of something before they believe it to be
true.
• contiguous (adjective): touching, next in a sequence

o con + tig + uous
o The United States has forty-eight contiguous states.
• contingent (adjective): possible, dependent on something else

o con + ting + ent
o Armand's move to a new apartment is contingent on his getting a raise.
tend, tens
• extensive (adjective): large in area, wide

o ex + tens + ive
o There are extensive farm fields located in the plain states.
• contend (verb): to strive or reach for, to argue

o con + tend
o The two fighters contended for the heavy-weight championship title.
tain, ten
• retain (verb): to keep, to hold in place

o re + tain
o Blanche retained her Alaskan residence since she will return there when she is
finished with school.
• continue (verb): to keep going, to remain

o con + tin + ue
o The movie is scheduled to continue until midnight.
• content (noun, adjective): something contained, held; satisfied

o con + tent
o I can't tell what the content of this can is until I open it.
• tenacious (adjective): holding or sticking to something

o ten + ac + ious
o Kareem is tenacious and he will stick with a subject until he understands it.
term
• exterminate (verb): to kill off, to get rid of

o ex + term + in + ate
o The Schaeffer's hired a company to exterminate the cockroaches living in their
house.
• terminal (adjective): relating to an end

o term + in + al
o Margot has been diagnosed with a terminal disease and has been given only six
months to live.
terr
• territory (noun): area of land

o territ + ory
o This area is considered to be Canadian territory.
• terrain (noun): the physical features of an area

o terr + ain
o There is some very rough terrain in the White Mountain area of New
Hampshire.
test
• attest (verb): to provide proof, to say something is true

o at + test
o Malcolm can attest to Shiela's honesty since he has known her for ten years.
• testify (verb): to make a statement based on personal knowledge

o test ify
o The witness testified at the trial.
therm
• thermometer (noun) a device for measuring heat

o thermo + meter
o I took my temperature with a thermometer.
• thermal (adjective): relating to the presence of heat

o therm + al
o Lisa bought some thermal underwear to take with her when she goes skiing.
tor
• torment (noun, verb): agony, pain; to cause recurring pain

o tor + ment
o The torment Jean's nightmares caused made him seek professional help.
o The guards tormented the prisoners.
• torsion (noun): twisting of a body or an organ by an external force along an axis

o tors + ion
o The torsion of the bolt will help release the wheel.
• contort (verb): to twist into an abnormal shape

o con + tort
o The actor contorted her face into an evil grin and scared the audience.
tract, trai
• attract (verb): to draw toward, to arouse interest

o at + tract
o The spilled sugar attracted flies and ants.
• train (verb): to teach or to cause to do something

o train
o Yvette trained her dog to perform tricks.
• treaty (noun): a formal agreement

o treat + y
o The rebels and the new government signed a treaty calling for peace.
uni
• unite (verb) to make one, to join together

o unite
o The two small companies united and became one large business.
• unison (noun): at the same time, at the same pitch

o uni + son
o The two singers sang in unison.
vac
• vacant (adjective): empty, not occupied, free

o vac + ant
o The hotel has only one vacant room left.
• vacuum (noun): empty space, isolation from outside influence

o vacu + um
o Some people seem to live in a vacuum and they have no knowledge of current
events.
ven, vent
• convene (verb): to assemble, to come together

o con + vene
o The meeting convened at 2:00 p.m. and lasted until 5:00 p.m.
• invent (verb): to create through thought or imagination

o in + vent
o Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone and other devices.
• prevent (verb): to act ahead of, to keep from happening

o pre + vent
o Lamont prevented a distastrous fire by calling the fire department the moment
he smelled smoke.
ver
• verify (verb): to confirm that something is true

o ver + ify
o The police officer verified Arthur's identity by asking for his driver's license.
• veracity (noun): truthfulness, accuracy

o ver + ac + ity
o Daphne is known for her veracity and honesty.
verb, verv
• verbalize (verb): to express in words, to put into words

o verb + al + ize
o Sometimes it is difficult to verbalize one's feeings.
• verve (noun): enthusiasm

o verve
o The cheerleaders showed verve and school spirit at the football game.
vers, vert:
• versatile (adjective): capable of changing or adapting, useful

o vers + at + ile
o When used correctly, a computer can be a versatile tool.
• revert (verb): to go back, to return (to an original state)

o re + vert
o The land slowly reverted to a wild state after it was abandoned.
vid, vis
• video (noun): television or recorded movies

o vid + eo
o Patricia rented a video and watched it on her television.
• review (verb): to look at again, to reexamine

o re + view
o Marsha reviewed for the test by re-reading her class notes.
• visible (adjective): able to be seen

o vis + ible
o Sometimes the moon is visible during the day.
• indivisible (adjective, noun): cannot be separated

o in + di + vis + ible
o The Pledge of Allegiance mentions that the United States is an indivisible
nation.
vit, viv
• vital (adjective): necessary for life

o vit + al
o The cancer had not yet spread to her vital organs and she was given an
excellent chance for a full recovery.
• revive (verb): to return to life

o re + vive
o After spending a day in the sun, I was revived by a glass of water.
voc, voke
• vocal (adjective): uttered by the voice, producing sound

o voc + al
o Parrots are known to be very vocal birds.
• revoke (verb): to call back, to withdraw

o re + voke
o Karl's license was revoked because he was caught driving 20 miles over the
speed limit.
volv, vol
• revolve (verb): to turn around

o re + volve
o The earth revolves around the sun.
• revolt (verb): to rebel, to turn against, to feel disgust

o re + volt
o It was the peasants who revolted during the French Revolution.
o Cooked carrots revolt some people.
• evolution (noun): the process by which something develops

o e + vol + ut + ion
o Darwin and other natural scientists have developed theories of evolution.

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[PREFIXES]-[SUFFIXES]-[ROOTS]-[BASES]

• a-, an- not, without

• ab-, abs- away from, off

• cat-, cata-, cath- down, with

• co-, cog-, col-, com-, con-, cor together, with

• contra- against, opposite

• de- to do the opposite, to take away from

• di-, dif-, dis- apart, separate, two, opposite, not

• dis- not, opposite of, exclude

• e-, ex- out, out of, from

• en-, em- put into

• epi-, upon, beside, over

• il-, im-, in-, ir, not, in

• in-, im-, il- in, into

• inter- between, among

• ob-, oc-, of-, op- toward, against, in the way

• over- excessive, above

• pro- for, foward

• re- back, again

• se- apart, move away from

• super- over, above

• syn-, sym- together, at the same time

• trans- across, beyond, change

• un- not, against, opposite

flooring : a material made for floors

• -al, -ial, -ical

• -ant, -ent, -ient

• -ive, -ative, -itive

• -ous, -eous, -ose, -ious

• act, ag: do, act, drive

• am, ami: love, like

• anim: mind, life, spirit, anger

• annu, enni: yearly

• auc, aug, aut: to originate, to increase

• aud, audit, aur: hear

• bene, ben: good, well, gentle

• bio, bi: life

• bibli, biblio: book

• cad, cap, cas, ceiv, cept, cid: to take, to seize, to hold

• ceas, cede, ceed, cess: go, yield

• clam, claim: shout

• cogn, gnos: know to know

• cre, cresc, cret: grow

• cred: trust, believe

o incredible (adjective): unbelievable

• cour, cur, curr, curs: run, course

• dic, dict, dit: say, speak

• doc, doct: teach, prove

• dog, dox: thought, idea

• dec, dign: suitable

• duc, duct**: lead

• ev, et: time, age

• fac, fact, fec, fic, fas, fea: make do, do

• fer: bear, carry

• fict, feign, fain: shape, make, fashion

• fid: belief, faith

• fig: shape, form

• flu, fluct, flux: flow

• fract, frag, frai: break

• gen, gin: to give birth, kind

• gor: to gather, to bring together

• grad, gress, gree: step, go, move

• graph, graf: write, draw