(Prefixes and

Suffixes)

The main part of a word hidden inside the longer

word
The root is the biggest clue to a words meaning.
Often, you can figure out a difficult word by finding
its root.
EXAMPLE:
Read the following word:
misunderstand
Within this word, you can find the word
understand.
You know that understand means to comprehend.
You just made it easier to figure out the meaning of
the longer word above.

Answer the following question.

Identify the meaning of the root word
underlined within the following word:
description
A.
B.
C.
D.

mix
move
write
close

The root word SCRIPT

means a system of writing
(noun) or to write (verb).

Prefix: A group of letters that comes before a root

word
Look at the chart of examples below.
Prefix

Meaning

Examples

Dis-

not

dislike

Fore-

before

foresee, foreshadow

In-

not

insecure, incomplete

Mis-

wrong, badly

mislead, misinform

Multi-

more than one

multi-task

Non-

not

nonsense, nonfiction

Post-

after

posttest, postgame

Semi-

partly, half

semicircle, semisweet

Un-

not

unimportant, undone

Uni-

single, one

unicycle

Suffix: A group of letters that comes after a

root word
Look at the chart of examples below.
Suffix

Meaning

Examples

-able

worthy or capable of

desirable, fixable

-an

person

musician,
mathematician

-dom

place, state of being

wisdom, kingdom

-less

lacking

careless, meaningless

-ly

attributes a quality

happily, excitedly

-ness

state, condition

happiness, hardness

-ous

full of

marvelous, humorous

Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and root

words, answer the question.
We sat in a semicircle and watched the instructor
at the front of the room.
What does the word semicircle mean in the
sentence above?
A. full circle
B. two circles
C. small circle
D. half circle

Semi- is a Latin prefix

meaning "half."
A semicircle is half of a
circle.

Civilizations of people lived before

historical records were written down.
What word describes this time period?
A. prehistoric
B. posthistoric
C. unhistoric
D. antihistoric

The prefix pre- means

before.
In this case, prehistoric means
the time period before historical
records were taken.

Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and

word roots, answer the question.
Cara could easily recognize her grandfather in the
old family portrait by the famous Dutch painter.
She said it was a good likeness of him.
What does the word likeness mean in the
sentence above?
A. sanctuary
B. similarity
C. skill
D. guard

The Anglo-Saxon root word "lik-"

means "similar."
The Anglo-Saxon suffix "-ness"
means "state of."
Therefore, likeness is the state
of being similar.