Name _______________________________________________________ Date _________ Per ________
Roots, Prefixes, & Suffixes
Root words: basic words to which beginning syllables or ending syllables are often added.
Prefixes: beginning syllables that can be added to roots to change their meaning.
Suffixes: ending syllables that can change the meanings of roots.
Ex. Metamorphic
Prefix –meta = “change”
Root – morph = “form”
Suffix – ic = “pertaining to”
The following list contains some roots, prefixes, & suffixes found in science words, & their
meanings. I may ask any one of these on any test or quiz.
a-/ananim-
(not, without)
(mind, spirit, life,
breath)
astro- (star)
atmos- (vapor)
bi(two)
bio(life)
centri- (center)
chrono- (time)
cosm- (world, universe)
di(two)
ex(former, out from,
beyond)
geo(Earth)
helio- (sun)
hydro- (water)
-able
-ible
-ic
infrainter-ite
-ology
macromagnimeta-meter
micromono
-morph
(capable of)
(capable of)
(pertaining to)
(below, after)
(between or
among)
(rock or mineral)
(study of)
(large)
(large)
(change)
(instrument for
measuring)
(small)
(one)
(form)
multinonpetrophotopostpreresci-scope
(many)
(not)
(rock)
(light)
(after)
(before)
(again)
(know, discern)
(instrument for
observing)
semi- (half, twice)
sub(below, under)
tele(distant)
thermo- (heat)
1. Write the word that means the study of rocks. ___________________________
2. Write the word that means the study of the Earth. _________________________
3. What does heliocentric mean? _______________________________________
4. What does quartzite mean? _________________________________________
5. What is a microcosm? _____________________________________________
6. What word means to change form? ___________________________________
7. What word means an instrument to measure heat? _______________________