Word part · Latin prefix
Prefix ad- words: meaning and 20 examples
In short
The Latin prefix ad- (from Latin) means "to, or toward". It is also spelled ac, af and ag. Words with it include adverb, adverbs, admit, adjoin, accept and acclaim.
- Part
- ad-
- Meaning
- to, or toward
- Origin
- Latin
- Also spelled
- ac, af, ag, al, an, ap, ar, as, at
- Words listed
- 20
Ad- changes its d to match the next letter, which is why accept, affix, approve and attract start with a double consonant.
Words with the Latin prefix ad-
The list runs from shorter, common words to longer ones. The bands are a rough guide built from syllable count and how common each word is in our word list, not a grade-level standard. Read each word, then its word sum.
Colors:prefixroot or basesuffix
Start here: short, common words (about grades 3 and 4)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| admit | ad (prefix)+mit (root or base)→admit | let in |
| accept | ac (prefix)+cept (root or base)→acceptthe prefix changes to match | take what is offered |
| approve | ap (prefix)+prove (root or base)→approvethe prefix changes to match | agree that something is good |
| appoint | ap (prefix)+point (root or base)→appointthe prefix changes to match | name someone for a job |
| arrange | ar (prefix)+range (root or base)→arrangethe prefix changes to match | put things in order |
| assure | as (prefix)+sure (root or base)→assurethe prefix changes to match | make someone sure |
| attract | at (prefix)+tract (root or base)→attractthe prefix changes to match | pull toward |
| assign | as (prefix)+sign (root or base)→assignthe prefix changes to match | mark a job out for someone |
More words: announce, attend
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| adverb | ad (prefix)+verb (root or base)→adverb | a word added to a verb to tell how or when |
| adverbs | ad (prefix)+verb (root or base)+s (suffix)→adverbs | more than one adverb |
| adjoin | ad (prefix)+join (root or base)→adjoin | be joined to something next to it |
| acclaim | ac (prefix)+claim (root or base)→acclaimthe prefix changes to match | praise loudly |
| affix | af (prefix)+fix (root or base)→affixthe prefix changes to match | fix one thing to another |
| affirm | af (prefix)+firm (root or base)→affirmthe prefix changes to match | say firmly that something is true |
| allot | al (prefix)+lot (root or base)→allotthe prefix changes to match | give out a share to each |
| assignment | as (prefix)+sign (root or base)+ment (suffix)→assignmentthe prefix changes to match | a job or piece of work given to you |
More words: adapted
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| accompany | ac (prefix)+company (root or base)→accompanythe prefix changes to match | go along with someone |
How do you teach the prefix ad-?
Ad- means to or toward, and it explains a spelling mystery: why so many words start with a double consonant. Ad changes its d to match the next letter, so ad + tract becomes attract and ad + cept becomes accept. Start with adverb and admit, where ad stays ad. Then show attract and approve side by side and let the student find the doubled letter.
A quick routine
Write ad + tract on the board. Say, "Ad means to. Say adtract fast three times." The student hears it slide into attract. Say, "The d changed to t to match. That's why attract has two t's." Do the same with ap + prove and as + sure. Then dictate accept and arrange, and ask the student to say the prefix spelling before writing.
What do students mix up with ad-?
Many words start with ac, af, ap or at without this prefix: act, after, apple, atom. If there is no doubled letter and no base left, it isn't ad-. The doubled letter is the clue. Even then, check the meaning: in attract something is pulled to you, and in approve you move toward a yes.
For the sounds inside these words, see the phonics word lists. Routines that fit: meanings of prefixes and suffixes, circle the parts, read the base and flexible routine for big words.
Questions people ask
What does the prefix ad- mean?
Ad- means "to, or toward". It is a Latin prefix, also spelled ac, af, ag, al, an, ap, ar, as and at. Ad- changes its d to match the next letter, which is why accept, affix, approve and attract start with a double consonant.
What are some words with the prefix ad-?
Start with admit, accept, approve and appoint. Then move to adverb, adverbs and accompany. This page lists 20 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Why do accept, attract and approve have double letters?
Each starts with the prefix ad, meaning to. The d changes to match the first letter of the next part: ad + cept becomes accept, ad + tract becomes attract. The doubled letter is the trace of that change.
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