42 Academic Affixes
Many terms used in academic disciplines consist of roots, prefixes, and suffixes, often of Latin or Greek origin. Below is a list of some affixes commonly used in academic fields of study. These affixes may refer to fields of study in general, or specific activities within fields of study.
Academic Prefixes
Prefix |
Meaning |
Example |
Astro- |
star/space |
Astrophysics |
Bio- |
life |
Biosphere |
Cosmo- |
cosmos (the universe) |
Cosmology |
Dys-
Eco- |
bad or difficultrelated to ecology |
Dyslexiaecosystem |
Electro- |
electric |
Electromagnetic |
Geo- |
earth |
Geopolitical |
Hetero-Hydro- |
differentwater |
HeterogeneousHydrology |
Macro- |
large |
Macromolecules |
Meta- |
change/beyond |
Metamorphosis/Metaphysics |
Micro- |
small |
Microelectronics |
Neuro- |
brain |
Neurology |
Paleo- |
old |
Paleoclimatology |
Patho- |
disease |
Pathology |
Photo- |
light |
Photography |
Phyto- |
plant |
Phytoplankton |
psycho- |
mind (not brain) |
Psychology |
Socio- |
society |
Sociology |
Thermo- |
temperature/heat |
Thermometer |
Academic Suffixes
Suffix |
Meaning |
Example |
-graph |
write/draw |
Geography |
-lysis |
dissolve/destroy |
Hydrolysis |
-ology |
the study of |
Sociology |
-logy |
field of study |
Physiology |
-meter/metric |
measure |
Thermometer |
-oma |
swelling or tumor |
Lymphoma |
-osis |
process |
Phagocytosis |
-scope |
to see |
Telescope |
-tomy |
to cut |
Tonsillectomy |
Bonus
Check a complete list of Greek and Latin academic affixes here: http://users.uoa.gr/~nektar/history/language/greek_latin_derivatives.htm
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