Root Words and Affixes
(Affixes = Prefixes and Suffixes)
T. D. James-Moss, Instructor
Hardeeville-Ridgeland Middle School
2013-2014
Important Vocabulary Terms
 Prefix: a symbol, letter or
number added to the
beginning of a word
 A prefix often changes the
meaning of a word.
Important Vocabulary Terms
 Suffix: a letter or group of
letters added to the END
of a word
 Suffixes can be used to
form new words.
 A suffix can change the
meaning of a word.
Important Vocabulary Terms
 Root Word: A root word is
the central origin or source
of a word’s meaning.
 The “root” of a word is its
most basic part.
 There are roots in English
that come from many
languages.
Prefix: “Un-”
 Remember: “Un-”
essentially means “not,”
“against” or “opposite of.”
 Some examples:
-Unaffordable
-Unbelievable
-Uncivilized
-Unproductive
Prefix: “Re-”
 Remember: “Re-”
essentially means “back” or
“again.”
 Some examples:
-Restart
-Realign
-Reflex
-Report
Prefix: “Pre-”
 Remember: “Pre-”
essentially means “before.”
 Some examples:
-Preamble
-Premeditate
-Prenuptial
-Preadmission
Prefix: “Bi”
 Remember: “Bi-”
essentially means “two” or
“twice.”
 Some examples:
-Biannual
-Bicentennial
-Bifocal
-Bilingual
Prefix: “Mis”
 Remember: “Mis-”
essentially means “lack of,”
“bad,” “wrong” or
“opposite.”
 Some examples:
-Misinformed
-Misanthropic
-Misperception
-Misdiagnosis
Prefix: “Dis”
 Remember: “Dis-” essentially
means “to deprive of,” “to
exclude or remove,” “the
opposite of ” or “the absence
of.”
 Some examples:
-Disability
-Disarray
-Disconcert
-Dispossess
Prefix: “Il-”
 Remember: “Il-” essentially
means “not.”
 Some examples:
-Illogical
-Illegible
-Illiterate
-Illaudable
Prefix: “Ir-”
 Remember: “Ir-” essentially
means “not.”
 Some examples:
-Irresponsible
-Irrational
-Irregular
-Irrefutable
Prefix: “Non-”
 Remember: “Non-”
essentially means “not.”
 Some examples:
-Nonnegotiable
-Nonsense
-Nonabrasive
-Nonconfrontational
Prefix: “Over-”
 Remember: “Over-”
essentially means “too much
or too great” or “better or
beyond.”
 Some examples:
-Overreact
-Overage
-Overarching
-Overexert
Prefixes: “Super-/Supra-”
 Remember: “Super-” and
“Supra- essentially mean
“over and above” or “bigger
and better.”
 Some examples:
-Supernatural
-Supercede
-Superior
-Suprarational
Prefix: “Extra-,” “Exter,” and “Extro-”
 Remember: “Extra-,” “Exter-”
and “Extro-” essentially mean
“outside of ” or “beyond.”
 Some examples:
-External
-Extrovert
-Extraordinary
-Extraterrestrial