Wordparts

Word
are structures that are used every day in speech, writing, and communication. Individual words are made of specific parts, each with their specific function and meaning.

Morphemes and Base Words

The smallest unit of meaning in language is called a morpheme. These morphemes, which may or may not be a complete word in any given language, are the building blocks for creating words by adding prefixes, suffixes, and other parts of words. A base word is a morpheme or group of morphemes that have one complete meaning. Base words can be short, such as "but," or much longer. These are the parts of language that are used to communicate, but are also used to build more complicated words with more intricate meanings.

Prefixes and Suffixes

A prefix is a morpheme that is added to the beginning of a base word to alter the base word's meaning. These prefixes usually have their own meaning that enhances the defintion of the base word, such as adding the prefix "a-" to the base word "typical" or create the word "atypical." A suffix is a morpheme that is added to the end of a word and usually changes what part of speech the word is classified as. For example, the suffix "-ly" can be added to the adjective "atypical" to become the adverb "atypically

 Word parts Meaning Examples a, an without, none atypical

ar, ary, ory relating to similar, imaginary, sensory

Word parts a, an Meaning without, none Examples atypical

age
an, ian ance, ancy, ence, ency ar, ary, ory

state of, rank, place

belonging to act of, state of, condition of relating to

marriage
suburban, mammalian assistance, discrepancy, dependence, dependency similar, imaginary, sensory