In English, we love to make new words by adding all sorts of bits to the front and back of existing terms. These are called affixes, and they are added to the base or stem of a word.
What is an affix?
An affix is officially defined as “a bound inflectional or derivational element, as a prefix, infix, or suffix, added to a base or stem to form a fresh stem or a word, as –ed added to want to form wanted, or im– added to possible to form impossible.”
So, in general terms, an affix describes most letters added to the beginning or end of a root word (a word that can stand alone without an affix) to change its meaning. In that definition above, when im- is added to the root word possible, it changes the meaning of the word.
Three types of affixes
Of course, English can’t be that easy to just call all of these affixes. In fact, there are three specific names for the different types of affixes, depending on where they attach to the root word. Let’s explore the three different types.
1. suffixes
When attached to the end of word, the affix is called a suffix, such as as –ly in kindly.
Examples of common suffixes
2. prefixes
And to the beginning? Well that type of affix is called a prefix. A prefix is “an affix placed before a word, base, or another prefix to modify a term’s meaning, as by making the term negative, as un– in unkind, by signaling repetition, as re– in reinvent, or by indicating support, as pro– in proabolition. Compatible prefixes can work together, as un– and re– in unrefundable.”
To learn more about prefixes and suffixes in depth, read our article that examines them both a bit closer.
Examples of common prefixes
But, wait. Didn’t we say there were three types of affixes?
3. combining forms
Yup, there is one more. The last type of affixes are combining forms, which can be added to an independent word or affix. In word formation, a combining form may conjoin with an independent word (mini– + skirt), another combining form (photo– + –graphy), or an affix (cephal– + –ic); it is different from an affix, which can be added to either a free word or a combining form but not solely to another affix (Iceland + –ic or cephal– + –ic but not pro– + –ic).
Three types of combining forms
- forms borrowed from Greek or Latin that are derivatives of independent nouns, adjectives, or verbs in those languages; these combining forms, used in the formation of learned coinages, often semantically parallel independent words in English (cf., for example, cardio– in relation to heart, –phile in relation to lover) and usually appear only in combination with other combining forms of Greek or Latin origin (bibliophile, not bookphile)
- the compounding form of a free-standing English word; such a combining form usually has only a single, restricted sense of the free word, and may differ from the word phonetically. Compare –proof, –wide, –worthy, –land, –man
- a form extracted from an existing free word and used as a bound form, typically maintaining the meaning of the free word, or some facet of it. Compare heli–2, mini–, para–3, –aholic, –gate, –orama
Looking for more examples of all three types of affixes? Well we’ve put together a comprehensive list for you to peruse below!
More examples of suffixes
A
-able, -ible, -ile: (form adjs) able to, fit to, worthy, capable; apt to; subject to being ~-ed
-ac: one affect with
-ac, -al, -ane, -ar, -ary, -ch, -ese, -ic, -ical, -id, -ile, -ine, -ish, -ory: like, of, pertaining to; characterized by
-aceae: families of plants
-aceous, -ous: resemblance to a substance; full of
-acy, -age, -ance, -ancy, -asm, -dom, -ence, -ency, -hood, -ism, -ity, -ment, -mony, -ness, -ry, -ship, -th, -tude, -ty, -ure, -y: (form nouns) state, condition, quality of being; result -acy, -ate, -dom, -ric, -ship: (form nouns) rank, office, jurisdiction, dominion
-ade: product; action
-age: place of; house
-age: rate of; charge
-age, -ion, -sion, -tion, -ment, -ure: (form nouns) act of; thing done, process
-age, -ry: (form nouns) persons or things collectively; measure of; collection of
-al: action or result of; process
-algia: pain
-an, -ant, -ar, -ard, -art, -ary, -aster, -ate, -ean, -ee, -eer, -ent, -er, -ic, -iff, -ist, -ite, -ive, -or, -ster, -yte: (form nouns) one who acts, one who is
-an, -ean, -ian: adherent to; citizen of; language of; relating to, characteristic of
-ana, -iana: collection
-ance, -ancy: state, quality of being; action, process; degree
-androus: man
-ant, -ent: (form adjs) being, belonging to; performing
-archy: government
-ary: related, connected to
-ary, -ery, -ory, -ry: (form nouns) place where, place which
-ary, -ice, -ment, -mony, -ory: (form nouns) thing which
-ate: salt, ester for acid (substitute for -ic)
-ate, -en, -fy, -ish, -ise, -ize: (form verbs) to make; to put; to take; cause
-ate, -ful, -lent, -ose, -ous, -some, -y: (form adjs) full of, abundant; having
-ation: process, action; state of
-ative: related, connected to; tending
B
-biosis: life
-blast: bud, germ, cell
C
-carpous: fruit
-cele: hollow, tumor
-celli, -cello: little
-cephalic, -cephalous: head
-chrome: color, colored
-cide, -cidal: kill, killing
-cle, -cule, -el, -en, -et, -ie, -kin, -le, -let, -ling, -ock, -ot, -ule, -y: (form nouns) little, diminutive
-coccus: berry-shaped
-coele, -coel: cavity
-cracy/-ocracy, -crat/-ocrat: government, rule; ruler
D
-dendron: tree
-derm, -derma, -dermo: skin, covering
-dom: domain, office, jurisdiction
-drome: large place; racing place
-dromous: running
E
-eae: names of sub-orders in botany
-ed: (form adjs from nouns) having
-ed: past, past participle of regular verbs
-ee: one who is object of the verb
-ee: small kind of ~; something suggestive of a ~
-eer: one skilled, engaged in
-emia, -aemia, -hemia, -haemia: blood
-en (form verbs) to cause to, to become, to make
-en: (form adjs) made of; belonging to
-en: plural form of some nouns
-en, -n, -ne: past participle of some irregular verbs
-ene: belonging to; carbon
-er: a little; often
-er: comparative form of adjective
-er: having as characteristic
-er: the thing contained; inhabitant of, native
-er, -or: producer, agent; one that is
-erel: little
-erly, -ward, -wards: (form adverbs) direction
-ern: (form adjs) direction
-ery, -ry: condition or behavior of; location of; aggregate
-escent (adjs), -escence (nouns): growing, becoming; incipient state, beginning
-escent: reflecting light
-ese: member, native, style, language of
-ese: originating in ~
-esque: (form adjs) belonging to; like, having the properties, manner of
-ess: noun of female sex
-est: superlative form of adjective; second person singular present of some irregular verbs
-eth: third person singular of some irregular verbs
-ette: compact; imitation; feminine
F
-fid: split
-fuge, fugal: making flee, run away from
-ful: holding all it can, full of; amount that fills
-ful: providing ~; characterized by; tending to
G
-gamy: marriage; possession
-gen, -genous, -geny, -gony: bearing, producing, giving birth; producer
-gnomy, -gnosis: knowledge
-gon: angled
-gonium: seed
-grade: walking
-gram, -graph, -graphy: writing; record
H
-hedral, -hedron: side, many-sided
-hood: period of a condition, state; membership
I
-ia: things belonging to; territory
-ia, -iasis: disease
-ia, -ious: class, order or genus of plants and animals
-iatrics, -iatry: medical treatment
-ic: acid containing most oxygen
-ic: having the properties of, related, in the manner of; using ~; affected with ~
-ic: one having the nature of; producer
-ics, -ism, -ry, -ure: thing relating to a system, practice, art, science; pecularity, characteristic(s)
-idae, -adae, -ides: descendent
-ide, -ides (plural): chemical combination
-idean, -ides, -eides, -oides: (preceded by `o’) resemblance, likeness to
-ify, -fy: (form verbs) to make ~; make similar to
-ine: chemical compound
-ine: female
-ine: made of
-ing: imperative ending of regular verbs
-ing: something made of such material; activity, process; noun referring to verb
-ior: more
-ique: belonging to
-ish: person of, language of
-ish, -like, -ly: (form adjs) somewhat like, becoming; relating to
-isk: little
-ism: practice of; doctrine of, theory; act, process; state, condition
-ist: skilled in, specialist; practicing ~, believer
-ite: acid (-ous) combination
-ite: body part
-ite: one who; adherent, member, inhabitant; that which; product
-ite: stone, mineral
-itious: having the characteristic of
-itis: inflammation of an organ, disease; excessive enthusiasm
-ity: state, condition, quality of being; degree
-ive: able to do, capable; doing, tending
-ix: female
-ization: action, result of making ~
-ize, -ise: (form verbs) to make ~, to subject to ~; cause to be, be like; become, adopt manner
K
-kin: little; son of
-kind: kind; race
-kinesis: division; movement
L
-le: often (verb), little (noun)
-lepsy: seizure, fit
-less: without, deprived; unable
-let: small, unimportant; thing worn on ~
-like: like, resembling
-ling: minor, offspring, one having quality of ~
-lite, -lith: stone, mineral
-logy: science of, study of, theory; list
-ly: in a manner of, having the qualities of, like; to a degree
-ly: recurring regularly
-lysis, -lyte: dissolving; disintegration
M
-machy: battle, fight
-mancy, -mantic: foretelling
-mania, -maniac: craving
-mere, -merous: part
-meter, -metry: measure; instrument
-morphic, -morphous: shape
-most: superlative form of adjective
-mycete: fungus
N
-ness: quality, state
-nomy: science of, law of
O
-odont: tooth of ~ nature
-odynia: pain
-oecium, -oecious: flowers’ stamens and pistils in botany
-oid: like, resembling
-oid: likeness, resemblance
-oma: tumor
-on: unit, particle
-on, -one, -oon: (form nouns) large
-opia: eye, sight condition
-opsia: sight
-opsis: appearance; thing resembling ~
-ous: acid compound with less oxygen (than -ic)
-ous, -ious: having the properties of; full of
P
-pathy: suffering, disease; type of medical treatment
-pennale: wing
-phage, -phagous, -phagia, -phagy: eating, eater
-phany: manifestation
-phobe: one fearing ~
-phobia: fear of ~
-phobic: fearing; lacing affinity for
-phone, -phony: sound, transmitting sound
-phonia: speech disorder
-phyllous: leafed, leaflike
-phyte: plant; diseased growth
-plasia, -plasy, -plasis: growth, formation
-plasm: formed matter
-plast: cell
-plegia: paralysis
-plerous: wing
R
-red: state, condition; those who
-rrhagia, -rrhagic, -rrhea: flow
S
-saur: lizard
-scope, -scopy: observation; observing instrument
-se: to make
-sect, -section: cut, divide; divided
-ship: state or condition of; rank, position; skill; group participating in ~
-soma, -some: body
-sophy: wisdom, knowledge
-sperm, -spermous: seed
-ster: one who is involved in; one that is ~
-stichous: row
-stome, -stomous: mouth
-stress: female
T
-taxis, -taxy: order
-teen: ten, to be added to
-th: state, condition; act, process
-tomy: cutting; section
-trophy: feed, nutrition
-tropic: changing; attracted to ~
-tropous, -tropy: turning, turned, curving
-ty: quality, degree; condition
-ty: ten, to be multiplied by
V
-vorous: eating
-ward, -wards: in the direction of
W
-ways, -wise: in the manner of, in the direction of; way of being or acting
Y
-y: somewhat like, rather, characterized by, tending
-y: state, condition; activity; group
-y, -ey: full of
More examples of prefixes and combining forms
A
a-, ab-, abs-: from, away from
a-, an-: at, in, on; in such a manner, state, or condition
a-, an-: not, without, lacking
ac-, ad-, af-, ag-, al-, an-, ap-, as-, at-: to, toward, near
acanth-, acantho-: spiny, thorny
acous-: hearing
acr-, acro-: top; extremity, end
aden-, adeno-: gland
adren-, adreno-: adrenal gland
aer-, aero-: air, gas
all-, allo-: other, different
alti-, alto-: high
am-, amb-, ambi-, amphi-: both, both sides; round; about
amyl-, amylo-: starch
ana-: again; thorough, thoroughly
ana-, an-: up, upward; back, backward
andr-, andro-: man; male
anem-, anemo-: wind
ant-, ante-: before, prior, earlier; in front of
anthrop-, anthropo-: man
anti-, ant-, anth-: against, opposite; combating, defending
api-: bee
apo-, ap-: away; from; related
aqui-, aqua-: water
arbor-, arbori-: tree
arch-, archi-: chief, principal, supreme; extreme
arche-, archeo-, archae-, archaeo-: old, ancient
arteri-, arterio-: artery
arthr-, arthro-: joint
astr-, astro-, aster-: star
atmo-: vapor
audio-: hearing, sound
auto-: self-moving
avi-: bird
az-, azo-: nitrogenous
B
bacci-: berry
bacteri-, bacterio-: bacteria
bar-, baro-: weight, pressure
bath-, batho-, bathy-: deep, depth
be-: to make, cause; to take from
be-: on, over; against, across; thoroughly, excessively
bi-, bio-: life, living
bi-, bis-: twice, two, double, in two
biblio-: book
blephar-, blepharo-: eyelid, eyelash
bracchio-: arm
brachy-: short
brevi-: short
bronch-, broncho-, bronchi-, bronchio-: throat, lung
C
caco-: evil
calci-: lime
cardio-: heart
carpo-: fruit
cat-, cata-, cath-, cato-: down, downward, under; against; completeness, thorough, thoroughly
cen-, ceno-: new, recent
centi-: hundred
cephal-, cephalo-: head
cerebro-: brain
cervic-, cervico-, cervici-: neck
chiro-: hand
chlor-, chloro-: green
chol-, chole-, cholo-: bile
chondr-, chondri-, chondro-: cartilage
choreo-: dance
choro-: country
chrom-, chromo-, chromato-: color, colored
chron-, chrono-: time
chrys-, chryso-: gold
circum-, circu-: around, about
cirr-, cirri-, cirro-: curl
cis-: on this side; near
cleisto-: closed
con-, co-, cog-, col-, com-, cor-: together, with; thorough, thoroughly
contra-: against, in opposition, contrasting, contrary
cosmo-: universe
counter-: against, in opposition; substitute
cranio-: skull
cruci-: cross
cry-, cryo-: cold
crypt-, crypto-: hidden
cupro-: copper; bronze
cyst-, cysti-, cysto-: bladder, sac
cyt-, cyto-: cell
D
dactyl-, dactylo-: finger, toe
de-: down, from, separation; not; reverse; remove; get of; derived
deca-, deci-, dec-, deka-, dek-: ten
demi-: half, part of
dent-, denti-, dento-: tooth
dentro-: three
derm-, derma- dermo-: skin
deut-, deuto-, deutero-: second
dextr-, dextro-: right side
di-: two
dia-, di-: through, across
digit-, digiti-: finger
dipl-, diplo-: double, twofold
dis-: exclude, remove; do opposite
dis-, dif-, di-: not, opposite; apart; two
dodeca-, dodec-: twelve
dors-, dorsi-, dorso-: back of body
dyna-, dynamo-: force, power
dys-, dis-: badly, difficult, hard; evil; abnormal
E
echin-, echino-: spine
ect-, ecto-: outside, external
ef-, e-, ec-: out, not, absent
el-, em-, en-: in, into, on, within
en-, em-: cause to be, to make; to surround, cover
encephal-, encephalo-: brain
end-, endo-: inside, within
ennea-: nine
ent-, ento-: inside, within
enter-, entero-: intestine
entomo-: insect
eo-: early, old
epi-, ep-: on, upon, beside, above; out, on the outside; during
equi-: equal, alike
erg-, ergo-: work
erythr-, erythro-: red
ethno-: race, nation
eu-: good, well; true
ex-, exo-: from; out, out of, outside, external; without; former
extra-: on the outside, external; beyond, in excess, additional, exceptionally
F
febri-: fever
ferri-, ferro-: iron
fibr-, fibro-: threadlike, fibrous
fissi-: split
fluvio-: river
for-: not; against, forth; away; prohibitive
fore-: before, early; in front of, front part of
G
gain-: against
galact-, galacto-: milk
gam-, gamo-: together; copulation
gastr-, gastro-, gastri-: stomach, eating
ge-, geo-: earth, land
gem-, gemmi-: bud
geront-, geronto-: old age
gloss-, glosso-: tongue; language
gluc-, gluco-, glyc-: sweet
glypto-, glyph-: carving
gon-, gono-: reproduction
grapho-: writing
gymn-, gymno-: naked
gynec-, gyneco-, gynaec-, gynaeco-: woman
hagi-, hagio-: holy
H
hal-, halo-: salt, sea
hapl-, haplo-: simple, single
hect-, hecto-: hundred
heli-, helio-: sun
helic-, helico-: spiral
hem-, hemo-, haem-, haemo-, haemato-, hema-: blood
hemi-: half
hepat-, hepato-: liver
hepta-, hept-: seven
hetero-, heter-: different, opposite, irregular, abnormal; another
hexa-, hex-: six
hist-, histo-: tissue
hodo-: path, way
hol-, holo-: whole, complete, total
hom-, homo-, homeo-: similar, same, alike
hydr-, hydro-: water, liquid
hyet-, hyeto-: rain
hygr-, hygro-: wet
hyl-, hylo-: matter
hymeno-: membrane
hyp-, hypo-: under, beneath; deficient, less than
hyper-: above, over, beyond, extreme; beyond 3 dimensions
hypn-, hypno-: sleep
hypso-: high
hyster-, hystero-: womb; hysteria
I
iatro-: medicine
ichthy-, ichthyo-: fish
igni-: fire
ile-, ileo-: end of small intestine
ilio-: upper hip bone, flank
in-, ig-, il-, im-, ir-: (form adjs) not, opposite
in-, il-, im-, ir-: (form nouns, verbs) in, into; on
infra-: under, beneath; within
inter-: between; among, in the midst
intra-: within, interior, between; on the outside; during
intro-: within; into, in
is-, iso-: equal, uniform; equality, similarity
J
juxta-: close to, near to, beside
K
kerat-, kerato-: cornea
kinesi-, kineto-: movement
L
labio-: lip
lact-, lacti-, lacto-: milk
laryng-, laryngo-: larynx, voice box
lepto-: slender
leuk-, leuko-, leuc- leuco-: white
lign-, ligni-, ligno-: wood
litho-: stone
log-, logo-: word, oral
luni-: moon
lyo-, lysi-: dissolving, dispersed
M
macr-, macro-: large; long
magni-: great
mal-, male-: bad, badly; ill; evil; abnormal, inadequate
malac-, malaco-: soft
mega-, megalo-, meg-: great, large; million
melan-, melano-: black, dark
mero-: part
mes-, meso-: middle, intermediate
meta-, met-: beyond; after; over; changed/transfered/substituted
metr-: measure
metr-, metro-: uterus
micr-, micro-: very small
mid-: middle, mean
mini-: very small, short
mis-: degrading, less, lack of; ill
mis-: divergence; defect; error, wrong, badly
mis-, miso-: hatred
mon-, mono-: one, alone, solitary, single
morph-, morpho-: shape, form
multi-, mult-: many, much
my-, myo-: muscle
myc-, myco-: fungus
myel-, myelo-: spinal cord, marrow
naso-: nose
N
nati-: birth
ne-, n-: no, not
ne-, neo-: new, recent; revived
necr-, necro-: dead body
nepho-: cloud
nephr-, nephro-: kidney
neur-, neuro-: nerve
nocti-: night
non-: not; reverse; unimportant, lacking
noso-: sickness
not-, noto-: back of body
nycto-: night
O
ob-, oc-, of-, o-, op-: in the way of; against; out, inverse
octa-, octo-, oct-: eight
ocul-, oculo-: eye
odont-, odonto-: tooth
of-, op-: against
oleo-: oil
olig-, oligo-: few
ombro-: rain
omni-: all
oneiro-: dream
ont-, onto-: being, organism
oo-, o-: egg
ophthalm-, ophthalmo-: eye
ornith-, ornitho-: bird
oro-: mouth
orth-, ortho-: straight
oste-, osteo-, ossi-: bone
oto-: ear
out-: behond, exceeding, surpassing; above
ov-, ovi-, ovo-: egg
over-: above, beyond, too much, excessive
oxy-: sharp; oxygen
P
pachy-: thick
pale-, paleo-, palae-, palaeo-: ancient, old
pan-, panto-: all, everything, group, whole; worldwide
para-, par-: close, beside; like, alike
para-, par-: unlike, contrary; abnormal, faulty
pari-: equal
path-, patho-: suffering, disease
ped-, pedo-: child
penta-, pente-, pent-: five
per-, pel-: through; thoroughly; by; for
peri-: round; about, enclosing
petr-, petri-, petro-: stone; petroleum
phago-: eating
phleb-, phlebo-: vein
phon-, phono-: sound, speech
phot-, photo-: light; photograph
phren-, phreno-: brain; diaphragm
phyll-, phyllo-: leaf
phylo-: species, organism
picr-, picro-: bitter
piezo-: pressure
pisci-: fish
plan-, plano-: flat; moving
pleur-, pleuro-: side of body, lateral
pluto-: wealth
pluvio-: rain
pneum-, pneumo-: respiration, lungs; air, gas
pneumat-, pneumato-: breath, vapor
poly-: many; excessive
post-: after, afterwards; behind, following, later
pre-, prae-: before, earlier, in advance, preparatory; priority
preter-: beyond, more than
primi-, prim-: first
pro-: favoring; taking the place of
pro-, por-, pur-: for, on the side of; front, forward, forth; before, earlier
pros-: to, towards, near; in front of
prot-, proto-: first, original; lowest
pseud-, pseudo-: false, spurious
psycho-, psycho-: mental; mind, spirit, soul
ptero-: wing
pulmo-: lung
pyo-: pus
pyr-, pyro-: fire, heat
Q
quadri-, quadr-, quadru-: four
quasi-: resembling, seeming, virtual
quinque-: five
R
re-: again, back; anew, a second time
recti-: straight
reni-, reno-: kidney
retro-: backward, back
rheo-: flow
rhin-, rhino-: nose
rhiz-, rhizo-: root
S
sacchar-, sacchari-, sacchro-: sugar
sacr-, sacro-: pelvic; above tailbone
sangui-: blood
sapr-, sapro-: dead, rotten; decaying
sarc-, sarco-: flesh, muscle
scelero-: hard
schisto-, shiz-, schizo-: split
se-: aside, apart; separating
seba-, sebo-: fatty
selen-, seleno-: moon
semi-: half; in part, incomplete
septi-: seven
sero-: serum, blood
sex-, sexi-: six
sider-, sidero-: star; iron
sine-: without
somat-, somato-: body
somn-: sleep
sperm-, spermo-, sperma-, spermi-, spermat-, spermato-: seed
spiro-: breath
stato-: resting position, equilibrium
stauro-: cross
stell-: star
sten-, steno-: short, narrow, close
stere-, stereo-: solid; multi-dimensional
stom-, stomo-: mouth
styl-, styli-, stylo-: style
styl-, stylo-: pillar
sub-, suc-, suf-, sug-, sum-, sup-, sus-: under; below, beneath; less, nearly, almost; secondary
subter-: beneath; under
super-, supra-, sur-: above, over, higher, in excess; very special, superior
syn-, sy-, syl-, sym-: with, together, at the same time
T
tachy-: rapid
taut-, tauto-: same
tele-, tel-, telo-: distant; electronic communication
teleo-: final, purpose
terra-: land, earth
the-, theo-: god
therm-, thermo-: heat
thromb-, thrombo-: blood clot
topo-: place, point
tox-, toxi-, toxo-: poison
trache-, tracheo-: windpipe
trans-, tra-: through; across, over, beyond, on the far side; from one place to another; change
tri-, tris-: three
U
ultra-: beyond; on the other side; extreme
un-: do opposite, reverse; release, remove
un-: not; the opposite of
undec-: eleven
under-: lower, beneath; too little
uni-: one, single
up-: aloft, on high, upwards
uter-, utero-: uterus, womb
V
vari-, vario-: different, diverse
vas-, vaso-: blood vessel
ventr-, ventro-: abdominal, belly
vice-: assisting, substituting, deputy
W
with-: from, opposing
X
xen-, xeno-: foreign, strange
xylo-: wood
Z
zo-, zoo-: living, animal
zyg-, zygo-: double, pair, union; egg yolk
zym-, zymo-: enzyme, fermentation
