1. Sub-
under, below, beneath – Latin
(also: subordinate to, secondary, a part of, nearly, or lesser than)
- submarine – a boat that can travel below the surface of the sea
- subtropics – the geographic areas between the tropics and temperate zones
- subway – a tunnel, an underground passage
- subordinate – an assistant, number two; someone under the authority of someone else
2. Super-
above, over, beyond – Latin
(also: intensely, better or exceeding)
- superglue – a very strong adhesive
- supercomputer – a very fast, mainframe computer
- supermarket – a large, self-service retail store
- superintendent – a supervisor, a manager, an overseer
3. Spec-, spect-
look – Latin
(see, watch, observe)
- spectacle – a display, a sight; a spectacular event
- spectacles – eyeglasses; a pair of glasses; a device with lenses in a frame that helps you to see better
- spectator – an onlooker, an observer, a viewer; someone who watches an event
- spectrum* – the rainbow, the colour spectrum; a range, an array
4. Semi-
half – Latin
(also: partly, twice, slightly or incompletely)
- semicircle – a half circle
- semicolon – a punctuation mark that separates two clauses in a sentence
- semi-darkness – murkiness; partial darkness
- semi-final – the matches or rounds that precede the final
- semifluid – a substance that is partially liquid and partially solid
5. Scrib-
write – Latin
- scribble – a scrawl, a doodle, a squiggle, a jotting; meaningless or careless writing
- scribe – a writer, a penman, a scrivener, an author
- script* – handwriting, longhand; the text for a performance
- scripture* – the sacred writings, the Bible; the authority, the evidence, veracity6. Co- con-, col-,
6. Sen-
old, old man – Latin
- senate* – congress, a committee; the state council, the upper assembly
- senator – a legislator, a representative; a member of the senate
- senility – old age, senescence, dotage, caducity
- senior – an elder, a superior, an old-timer; an older or more experienced person
7. Spher-
a ball, a globe, a celestial sphere – Greek
- sphere – a circle, an orb, a globe; an area of influence or expertise
- spheroid – a sphere-like object; an ellipsoid
- stratosphere – the second major layer of the earth’s atmosphere
8. Son-
sound – Latin
- sonar – a device used for locating objects by means of sound waves
- sonata – a musical composition consisting of three sections (written for one instrument)
- sonnet – a poem with a specific form
- soundtrack – the music (or dialogue) of a film
9. Se- , sed-
apart, on its own, separate – Latin
(also: without)
- secret – confidential matter; something kept hidden from others
- seclusion – isolation, solitude, separation, retreat
- segregation – a separation, an isolation, a detachment, a partition
- selection – a pick, a choice, a preference
- separation – a split, a partition, a division
10. Simil-, simul-
like, same, similar, resembling – Greek
- simile – a figure of speech that compares two things; a resemblance, an allegory, a
similarity - similarity – a likeness, a resemblance, a correspondence
- simulation – a copy, a model; an imitation, a sham
- simultaneity – concurrence, simultaneousness; events happening at the same time
Words that start with this prefix refer to objects that are under or below a certain level or it refer to items or that are