Word part · Latin prefix
Prefix en- words: meaning and 15 examples
In short
The Latin prefix en- (from Latin) means "to make, or to put into". It is also spelled em. Words with it include enable, enlarge, enlarged, endanger, encircle and enrich. En- often turns a word into an action: large becomes enlarge, make larger.
- Part
- en-
- Meaning
- to make, or to put into
- Origin
- Latin
- Also spelled
- em
- Words listed
- 15
En- often turns a word into an action: large becomes enlarge, make larger. Before b and p it is spelled em: embrace, embody.
Words with the Latin prefix en-
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 |
|---|---|---|
| enlarge | en (prefix)+large (root or base)→enlarge | make larger |
| enlarged | en (prefix)+large (root or base)+ed (suffix)→enlargeddrop the e | made larger |
| enclose | en (prefix)+close (root or base)→enclose | close in on all sides |
| enforce | en (prefix)+force (root or base)→enforce | put a rule into force |
| enjoy | en (prefix)+joy (root or base)→enjoy | find joy in |
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| enable | en (prefix)+able (root or base)→enable | make able |
| endanger | en (prefix)+danger (root or base)→endanger | put into danger |
| encircle | en (prefix)+circle (root or base)→encircle | make a circle around |
| enrich | en (prefix)+rich (root or base)→enrich | make richer or better |
| entangle | en (prefix)+tangle (root or base)→entangle | catch up in a tangle |
| entrust | en (prefix)+trust (root or base)→entrust | put something in someone's trust |
| encourage | en (prefix)+courage (root or base)→encourage | give courage to |
| embrace | em (prefix)+brace (root or base)→embracethe prefix changes to match | hold in your arms |
| embody | em (prefix)+body (root or base)→embodythe prefix changes to match | give a body or shape to an idea |
| embitter | em (prefix)+bitter (root or base)→embitterthe prefix changes to match | make someone bitter |
How do you teach the prefix en-?
En- turns a word into an action. Large becomes enlarge, make larger. Danger becomes endanger, put into danger. Teach it with bases students already read, and ask what action the new word names. Then show the em spelling. Before b and p the n changes to m to match the lips: embrace, embody. Saying both aloud helps students feel why.
A quick routine
Show the bases large, rich, circle and courage. Say, "En means make, or put into. Put it in front and tell me the action." The student reads enlarge and says, "Make larger." Next, write brace and body. Ask, "Say en with brace. Now say em with brace. Which is easier?" Students hear the switch and spell embrace with an m.
What do students mix up with en-?
Words such as end, enter and ten start or contain en without the prefix. And the suffix -en (soften, wooden) is spelled the same way at the other end of a word. So check two things: is en at the front, and does the word mean make or put into? Enjoy passes. Enter does not.
Some of these words change spelling where the parts join. The spelling rules pages cover dropping e, doubling and changing y to i. 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 en- mean?
En- means "to make, or to put into". It is a Latin prefix, also spelled em. En- often turns a word into an action: large becomes enlarge, make larger. Before b and p it is spelled em: embrace, embody.
What are some words with the prefix en-?
Start with enlarge, enlarged, enclose and enforce. Then move to enable and endanger. This page lists 15 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
When is it em- instead of en-?
Before b and p, as in embrace and embody. Your lips are already closed for those sounds, so the n turns into m. It is the same prefix with the same meaning, make or put into.
Related word parts
- in-in, or into
- de-down, away, or remove
- con-with, or together
- ad-to, or toward
- -ento make or become; or made of
- fortstrong
Terms on this page: morpheme, root, prefix, suffix, base word, word sum, morphology.
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