Latin · prefix
ad-
to, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis
Forms
- ad-
- ac- — Used before c in Latin.
- af- — Used before f in Latin.
- ag- — Used before g in Latin.
- al- — Used before l in Latin.
- ap- — Used before p in Latin.
- ar- — Used before r in Latin.
- as- — Used before s in Latin.
- at- — Used before t in Latin.
Origin
Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ad, ‘to; near.’
Note
Later Latin-based spellings sometimes restored consonants that had disappeared in French.
Words sharing this root
abaseTo lower someone's dignity or standing.abateTo become less intense or make something less intense or effective.abatementA reduction in something unwanted or in an amount owed.abbreviateTo make something shorter.abbreviationThe shortening of an expression or other material.abridgeTo limit someone's rights or freedoms.abridgeTo shorten a written or spoken work while keeping its main substance.abutTo touch or border something along an edge.accedeAgree to something requested or proposed.accedeTake up a position of power or authority.accelerateTo become faster or make something faster.accelerationAdvancement through schooling faster than usual.accelerationThe rate at which speed or direction of motion changes.acceleratorSomething that increases the speed of motion or progress.accentEmphasis that makes a feature stand out.accentA written mark on a letter that indicates pronunciation.accentA way of pronouncing words characteristic of a region or group.acceptTo receive or acknowledge something without rejecting it.acceptableGood enough to be accepted.acceptanceThe act of receiving or acknowledging something without rejection.accessThe ability or means to reach or use something, or the act of doing so.accessibleEasy to reach or use without significant barriers.accessoryAn extra that complements something else.accessorySomeone who helps another person commit or conceal a crime.accidentAn event that happens without being intended or planned.accidentalArising incidentally rather than by deliberate or inherent necessity.acclaimEnthusiastic public praise or approval.acclamationPublic expression of collective approval.accoladeAn honor or expression of high praise for an achievement.accommodateTo make provision that meets someone's needs.accompanyTo go along with someone or something.accomplishTo successfully complete or achieve something.accomplishmentSomething achieved through effort or developed skill.accordHarmony or consistency between people or things.accordanceAgreement with a rule or standard.accostTo approach and speak to someone aggressively or intrusively.accountA record of money held, owed, or exchanged for a person or organization.accountanta person whose job is to maintain or examine financial recordsaccrueTo build up or be gained gradually over time.accumulateTo gather or increase gradually over time.accumulationA gradual gathering or increase in amount.accurateCorrect and free from error.accusationA claim that someone did something wrong or illegal.accusatoryExpressing blame or a charge of wrongdoing.accuseTo claim that someone has done something wrong.accuserA person who charges someone with wrongdoing or a crime.accustomTo make someone used to something through repeated experience.achieveTo successfully reach a goal or produce a desired result.acquaintTo make someone familiar with someone or something.acquiesceTo accept something without protest.acquiescencePassive acceptance or agreement without protest.acquiescentWilling to accept or comply without protest.acquireTo get or come to have something.acquisitionThe obtaining of something previously unpossessed.acquitTo find someone not guilty of a criminal charge.acquitTo conduct oneself in a particular way.adaptto change or change something to suit new conditionsadaptationA change that makes something suitable for different conditions.addictCompulsive dependence on a substance or activity.addictionDependence on a substance or activity that is difficult to stop.addressAn identifier specifying where someone or something can be reached.addressTo give attention to a matter in order to deal with it.addressSpeaking directly to a person or audience.adduceTo cite as evidence or support for an argument.adeptHighly skilled, or a person with such skill.adequateSufficient to meet a need or serve a purpose.adhereTo remain firmly attached to something.adherenceFirm attachment to something.adherentRemaining firmly attached to something.adhesionThe process or state of sticking firmly to something.adhesiveA substance that makes surfaces stick together, or having this ability.adjacentNext to or very near something else.adjectiveA word that describes or modifies a noun, or serving that role.adjudgeTo decide or declare officially by legal judgment.adjudicateTo make an official judgment or decision about a dispute.adjudicationThe formal process of considering a matter and reaching an official decision.adjunctAn additional person or thing serving a supporting role.adjureTo solemnly urge someone to do something.adjustTo change enough to fit particular conditions.administerTo manage or carry out an official operation.administerTo give medicine or medical treatment.administrateTo manage the affairs of an organization.administrationThe management or execution of an organized undertaking.administrationThe act of giving medicine or treatment.administrativeRelating to managing or organizing an institution's activities.administratorA person authorized to manage an organization, system, or estate.admirableDeserving respect or praise.admirationWarm respect or appreciation for someone or something.admireTo regard someone or something with pleasure or respect.admissibleAllowed or acceptable under the rules.admissionPermission or acceptance to enter a place or institution.admissionA statement accepting that something is true.admitTo allow someone or something into a place or group.admitTo acknowledge that something is true, often reluctantly.admonishTo speak firmly to someone about proper conduct.admonitionA firm warning or advice meant to correct someone's behavior.adolescenceThe stage of life between childhood and adulthood.adolescentA young person, or relating to the stage between childhood and adulthood.adoptTo take someone or something as one's own.adoptionThe act of taking someone or something as one's own.adoptiveConnected through adoption rather than by birth.adorableDelightfully cute or lovable.adorationDeep love, admiration, or devotion.adoreTo love or admire someone or something deeply.adornTo decorate or add beauty to something.adornmentSomething added to make a person or thing more attractive.adrenalA hormone-producing gland above a kidney, or relating to it or its hormones.adultFully grown or intended for fully grown people.adventThe arrival or beginning of something important.AdventThe Christian season of preparation for Christmas.adventureAn undertaking involving excitement, uncertainty, or risk.adverbA word that modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, or a whole clause.adverbialRelating to or serving the grammatical role of an adverb.adversaryAn opponent or enemy in a conflict or contest.adverseHarmful or unfavorable to a desired outcome.adversitySerious difficulty or misfortune.advertTo refer or call attention to something.advertA notice promoting a product, service, or event.advertiseTo make something publicly known, especially to promote it.advertisementA notice promoting a product, service, or event.advocateSpeaking in support of a person, group, or cause.affableFriendly and easy to talk to.affectTo produce a change in someone or something.affectTo put on a manner or quality that is not genuine.affectAn observable expression of emotion.affectionWarm feelings of care or attachment toward someone or something.affidavitA written statement sworn to be true and used as legal evidence.affiliateA formal connection with another person, organization, or group.affiliationA connection with a group, organization, person, or cause.affinityA natural tendency to be drawn to or connect with something.affirmTo state firmly that something is true, valid, or worthy of support.affirmationA positive declaration that something is true or supported.affirmativeExpressing agreement or confirmation.affixTo fasten something onto a base or surface.afflatusA sudden burst of creative or poetic inspiration.afflictTo cause someone pain or suffering.afflictionPainful suffering or hardship.affluenceThe state of having abundant money and possessions.affluentHaving abundant money and resources.affluentA stream flowing into a larger stream or river.affrontAn act that openly insults or offends someone.agglutinateTo join separate elements together into a larger unit.aggrandizeTo make someone or something more powerful or important.aggrandizementThe act of making someone or something greater or seemingly greater in power or importance.aggravateTo make an unpleasant condition more troublesome.aggravationAn increase in trouble or irritation.aggregateA whole formed by combining separate parts.aggregationThe gathering or combining of separate items into a whole.aggressionHostile or forceful behavior toward another person or state.aggressiveReady to attack, confront, or pursue a goal forcefully.aggressorA person, group, or country that starts an attack or conflict.alignTo bring things into the same line or corresponding positions.allegationA claim that someone did something wrong, especially one not yet proved.alleviateTo make pain or difficulty less severe.allianceA relationship or agreement to work together toward shared goals.alliterationRepetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.allocateTo set aside or assign something for a particular purpose.allocationThe assignment of resources or responsibilities for a particular purpose.allotTo give a share or portion of something to someone or something.allowTo permit or make possible an action.alloyA mixture of a metal with one or more other elements.alludeTo refer indirectly to something.allusionAn indirect reference to someone or something.allyA partner in mutual support, or to join in such a partnership.amassTo collect a large amount of something.amenableResponsive or open to a particular influence or treatment.amountA quantity or value considered as a total.annexTo add something as an attached part of a larger whole.annexationThe act of adding territory or property to a larger entity.annihilateTo destroy something so completely that its former state ceases.annihilationComplete destruction or elimination.annotateTo add explanatory notes or comments to something.announceTo make something known publicly or formally.annulTo officially declare something invalid.annunciationA formal announcement of significant news.apparatusAn organized set of components serving a particular function.apparitionA ghostly or mysterious figure that appears unexpectedly.appealA request addressed to someone with power to help or decide.appealThe power to attract or interest someone.appearTo present oneself to observation.appearanceThe way someone or something looks or seems to others.appeaseTo calm or satisfy by giving what is wanted or needed.appeasementThe act or policy of making concessions to reduce conflict.appendixA small, narrow pouch attached to the large intestine.appendixA section of extra material at the end of a book or document.appetiteA desire to consume food.applaudTo show approval or appreciation, especially by clapping.applausePublic approval or praise, especially expressed by clapping.applicantA person who formally asks to be considered for something.applicationA formal request to be accepted or granted something.applicationThe act of putting a substance onto a surface.applicatorA tool or device used to put a substance onto a surface.applyTo bring something to bear on a particular task or situation.applyto make a formal request for somethingapplyto put a substance onto a surfaceappointTo make an official selection or arrangement for a purpose.appointmentAn arranged meeting at a particular time.appraiseTo assess the value or quality of something.appreciableLarge enough to be noticed or matter.appreciateTo recognize and understand something's significance.appreciateTo increase in monetary value.appreciationAn increase in monetary value over time.appreciationRecognition or expression of someone's or something's worth.apprehensiveAnxious or uneasy about something that may happen.approachMovement along a route toward a destination.approbationApproval or praise.appropriateTo take something for one's own use, often without permission.appropriateSuitable or proper for a particular situation or purpose.approveTo judge something acceptable or worthy of support.approximateBeing or coming close to an actual value or quality without matching it exactly.arbiterA person whose judgment establishes a decision or standard.arrestTo bring movement or activity to a stop.arrivalThe coming of someone or something to a destination.arriveTo reach an intended destination.arroganceAn exaggerated belief in one's own importance or superiority.arrogantActing as though one is better or more important than others.ascendTo move to a higher position.ascendantThe zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at someone's birth.ascendantA person from whom someone is descended.ascendantGrowing or prevailing power or influence.ascensionThe act of rising to a higher place or position.ascribeTo regard something as coming from a particular cause or source.aspectA particular side or outward presentation of something.aspectA grammatical category showing how an action unfolds in time.aspectThe direction a building, slope, or surface faces.aspectAn angular relationship between planets in astrology.aspersionThe sprinkling of water as part of a religious ceremony.aspersionA remark or suggestion that damages someone's reputation.aspirantSeeking a position or achievement, or a person doing so.aspirateA speech sound made with an audible release of breath.aspirationPronunciation of a consonant with an audible release of breath.aspirationA strong hope to achieve something.aspireto strongly hope or aim to achieve somethingassailTo attack someone or something with great force.assailantA person who attacks someone violently.assaultA forceful attack or threat of violence.assemblageA collection of separate things brought together.assembleTo bring separate members or parts together into a whole.assentAgreement with or approval of something.assertTo present or uphold something firmly as valid.assertionA firm declaration that a claim or right is valid.assessTo judge and establish the value or extent of something.assessorA person who officially or systematically judges something's value or quality.assignTo designate something as belonging to a particular recipient or source.assignationA secret meeting, especially between lovers.assignmentThe allocation of a duty, role, or right to someone.assimilateTo take something into an existing whole so it becomes integrated.assimilationThe integration of something into an existing system.assistHelp given to someone or toward achieving something.assistanceHelp given to someone.assistantSomeone or something serving in a helping or supporting role.associateTo establish a connection between people or things.associateDenoting a college degree usually earned in two years.associateHolding a professional rank below a senior or full member.associatedConnected or linked with someone or something.associationA connection between people or things.assuageTo ease a troubling feeling or unmet need.assumeTo take on or take possession of something.assumeto suppose something is true without proofassumptionThe act of taking something on or into one's possession.assumptionA belief accepted as true without proof.AssumptionThe Christian feast celebrating Mary's being taken into heaven.assuranceConfidence that something is certain or dependable.assureTo establish confidence or certainty that something is so.astringentCausing body tissue to contract or tighten.attainTo achieve a goal or reach a desired level.attainmentThe achievement of a desired result.attemptAn effort to do or accomplish something.attendTo direct careful attention to someone's needs.attendTo be present with someone or at an event.attendanceBeing present at a particular place or event.attendantAccompanying something as a related circumstance or result.attendantA person employed to help or serve people or supervise a place.attentionDirected awareness of someone or something.attentiveCarefully noticing and responding to what is happening.attenuateTo make weaker or less substantial, or having these qualities.attenuationA reduction in strength, intensity, or harmful activity.attestTo confirm or serve as evidence that something is true.attractTo draw something closer.attractionA pull drawing things toward one another.attractiveDrawing something toward itself.attributeA quality or feature of someone or something.attributeTo regard something as caused or produced by a particular person or thing.attributionThe identification of a source responsible for something.attritionGradual wearing down through repeated small losses.avengeTo punish someone for a wrong done to oneself or another.avenueA broad route leading toward a place.averTo state confidently that something is true.avouchDeclare confidently that something is true.avowTo declare openly and firmly.inadequateNot enough or not good enough for a purpose.inadvertenceFailure to notice or attend to something.misadventureAn unintended accident with an unfortunate outcome.misapplicationThe incorrect or improper use or allocation of something.reappearTo appear again after being absent or disappearing.reassessTo evaluate again, especially using new information.tendLook after someone or something.