Source:Sally Sleuth

Adapted by: L. Mantilla

You can figure out the meanings of new words
by learning about the three (3) word parts:
 roots –word bases
 prefixes – word beginnings
 suffixes – word endings

Root words, prefixes, and suffixes

are everywhere!
“Knowing root words can help you
understand and remember difficult
words much better.

Roots are everywhere! And not just

under trees and plants! ;-)
A root word is a base word. You can change the meaning of it
by adding suffixes and/or prefixes.

Root Word Definition Example

amor love, liking amorous
aud hear, listen audio, auditorium
bio life biography, biology
cycl wheel, circular bicycle
geo earth geography, geology
“You can find prefixes at the
beginning of many words. Even
the word “prefix” has a prefix!

Let’s investigate some of the

places where you’ll find prefixes!”
A prefix is a group of letters that comes before a root word.
They can change or clarify the meaning of the root word.

Prefix Definition Example

pre- before preview
un- not unhappy
re- back, again reread, replay
non- not nonsense
sub- under submarine
 before

Make a prediction about the story

before you read it.
I love watching movie previews.
 not

Sad songs make me feel unhappy.

The old sofa is very uncomfortable.
 again, back

It’s important to review before a test.

Let’s watch a replay of the homerun!
 not

We would like to sit in the non-smoking

section.
Do you like to read nonfiction?
 under

A submarine travels under the water.

I ride the subway into the city.
“You can find suffixes at the end of
many words. They come after
prefixes and root words.

Think of suffixes as the dessert

of a word! Yummy!
Suffixes come at the end of a word. Sometimes a suffix will
tell you what part of speech or tense a word is.

Suffix Definition Example

-s, -es plural, more than one books, sandwiches
-ed past tense (regular verbs) called, learned
-less without careless, hopeless
-er one who, a person who baker, teacher
-ful full of hopeful, careful
 plural, more than one

The girl has many dolls.

How many sandwiches did you eat?
 past tense (regular verbs)

 Jose called his mom.

 We played soccer at recess.
 without

Alma spent all of her money. She was

penniless.
Don’t be careless with other people’s
things.
 a person who does something

The baker bakes cakes.

A teacher is someone who teaches.
 full of
Thank you for the flowers. That was
very thoughtful of you.
A ballerina is a graceful dancer.
Hopefully, there is gold at the end of
the rainbow!