Summary
A simple way to learn the meaning of new words is to break them down into their parts, then define the parts. The main part of a word is the root, and prefixes and suffixes both modify the root, changing its meaning. Common prefixes, such as "un-," "non-," and "pre-," come before the root; and common suffixes, such as "-less," "-ful," and "-able," come after the root. Keep in mind that context matters, since some prefixes and suffixes have more than one meaning. Lots of word parts come from Latin and Greek. Press "play" to learn a bunch of 'em and instantly expand your vocabulary!
Viewer safety
Ages 7+
Our rating is a quick teacher-to-teacher guide — preview before showing.
Teaching resources
Discussion questions
A few questions to talk through after watching Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes:
- What is one new thing you learned about roots, prefixes, and suffixes?
- Can you explain it to a partner in your own words?
- Where might you see this in the real world?
- What is one question you still have?
Quick work-a-long
Try it:
- Write one sentence explaining roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
- Draw or give one example of your own.