Word part · Latin prefix
Prefix intro- words: meaning and 13 examples
In short
The Latin prefix intro- (from Latin) means "inward, or within". It is also spelled intra. Words with it include introduce, introduced, introduces, introducing, introduction and introductions. Intro- points inside: an introvert turns attention inward.
- Part
- intro-
- Meaning
- inward, or within
- Origin
- Latin
- Also spelled
- intra
- Words listed
- 13
Intro- points inside: an introvert turns attention inward. Intra-, spelled with an a, means within and shows up in a few school words such as intramural.
Words with the Latin prefix intro-
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
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| introduce | intro (prefix)+duce (root or base)→introduce | lead someone in to meet others |
| introduced | intro (prefix)+duce (root or base)+ed (suffix)→introduceddrop the e | brought in or presented in the past |
| introduces | intro (prefix)+duce (root or base)+s (suffix)→introduces | brings in or presents (one person, now) |
| introducing | intro (prefix)+duce (root or base)+ing (suffix)→introducingdrop the e | bringing in or presenting, now |
| introduction | intro (prefix)+duct (root or base)+ion (suffix)→introduction | the part that leads you into a book or talk |
| introvert | intro (prefix)+vert (root or base)→introvert | a person whose attention turns inward |
| introverts | intro (prefix)+vert (root or base)+s (suffix)→introverts | more than one introvert |
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| introductions | intro (prefix)+duct (root or base)+ion (suffix)+s (suffix)→introductions | more than one introduction |
| introverted | intro (prefix)+vert (root or base)+ed (suffix)→introverted | quiet and turned inward |
| introspection | intro (prefix)+spect (root or base)+ion (suffix)→introspection | looking inward at your own thoughts |
| introspective | intro (prefix)+spect (root or base)+ive (suffix)→introspective | likely to look inward at your thoughts |
More words: introductory, intramural
How do you teach the prefix intro-?
Most students meet intro- in introduce and introduction long before they know it is a prefix. That is the place to start. Introduce means lead in: you lead a new person into a group. Then show introvert, someone whose attention turns inward, and introspection, looking inward at your own thoughts. Each one has the idea of going in.
A quick routine
Write introduce and ask the student to split it: intro and duce. Say, "Intro means inward. Duce means lead. When I introduce you, I lead you in." Then build introvert from intro and vert (turn). Ask, "What turns inward?" Let the student explain in a full sentence. Close by spelling introduction aloud, part by part.
What do students mix up with intro-?
Intro- and inter- look alike and both start with in, so students mix them up. Inter- means between, as in international. Intro- means inward. Intra- (within) is a third cousin, seen in intramural sports, which are played within one school. Keep a three-row chart on the wall until students sort them without help.
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 intro- mean?
Intro- means "inward, or within". It is a Latin prefix, also spelled intra. Intro- points inside: an introvert turns attention inward. Intra-, spelled with an a, means within and shows up in a few school words such as intramural.
What are some words with the prefix intro-?
Start with introduce, introduced, introduces and introducing. Then move to introductions and introverted. This page lists 13 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
What is the difference between intro-, intra- and inter-?
Intro- means inward (introvert), intra- means within (intramural, games within one school) and inter- means between (interstate, between states). Teach inter- and intro- first, since they appear in more school words.
Related word parts
- inter-between, or among
- duclead, or bring
- vertturn
- spectlook, or see
- in-in, or into
- -tionthe act of, or the result of
Terms on this page: morpheme, root, prefix, suffix, base word, word sum, morphology.
Teach word parts with ready lessons
Literacy Trail has word parts lessons with words to read, build, split and spell, and full-screen players for the student. Every plan starts with a 15-day free trial.