Word part · Greek prefix
Prefix syn- words: meaning and 19 examples
In short
The Greek prefix syn- (from Greek) means "together, or with". It is also spelled sym and syl. Words with it include synonym, synonyms, synonymous, synonymously, sympathy and sympathies. Syn- becomes sym- before b, m and p (sympathy, symmetry) and syl- before l (syllable).
- Part
- syn-
- Meaning
- together, or with
- Origin
- Greek
- Also spelled
- sym, syl
- Words listed
- 19
Syn- becomes sym- before b, m and p (sympathy, symmetry) and syl- before l (syllable). The y is a clue that the word is Greek.
Words with the Greek prefix syn-
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)
More words: symbol, system, symptom
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| synonym | syn (prefix)+onym (root or base)→synonym | a word with nearly the same meaning as another one, like big and large |
| synonyms | syn (prefix)+onym (root or base)+s (suffix)→synonyms | more than one synonym |
| sympathy | sym (prefix)+pathy (root or base)→sympathythe prefix changes to match | feeling sorry for someone who is having a hard time |
| sympathies | sym (prefix)+pathy (root or base)+es (suffix)→sympathiesthe prefix changes to match, then change y to i | feelings of being sorry for someone |
| sympathize | sym (prefix)+path (root or base)+ize (suffix)→sympathizethe prefix changes to match | feel sorry for someone and show it |
| symphonies | sym (prefix)+phon (root or base)+y (suffix)+es (suffix)→symphoniesthe prefix changes to match, then change y to i | long pieces of music for many instruments playing together |
| symphonic | sym (prefix)+phon (root or base)+ic (suffix)→symphonicthe prefix changes to match | having to do with music for a large group of instruments |
| symmetries | sym (prefix)+metr (root or base)+y (suffix)+es (suffix)→symmetriesthe prefix changes to match, then change y to i | kinds of matching on both sides |
| symmetry | sym (prefix)+metr (root or base)+y (suffix)→symmetrythe prefix changes to match | matching parts that measure the same on both sides |
| symmetric | sym (prefix)+metr (root or base)+ic (suffix)→symmetricthe prefix changes to match | matching on both sides |
| synthesis | syn (prefix)+thesis (root or base)→synthesis | putting parts together into a whole |
More words: syllable
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| synonymous | syn (prefix)+onym (root or base)+ous (suffix)→synonymous | having the same meaning |
| synonymously | syn (prefix)+onym (root or base)+ous (suffix)+ly (suffix)→synonymously | in a way that means the same thing |
| symmetrical | sym (prefix)+metr (root or base)+ic (suffix)+al (suffix)→symmetricalthe prefix changes to match | the same on both sides |
| photosynthesis | photo (root or base)+syn (prefix)+thesis (root or base)→photosynthesis | how plants use light to put together food |
How do you teach the prefix syn-?
Syn- means together or with. It is Greek, and it changes spelling to fit the next sound: sym before b, m and p, syl before l. Start with sympathy, feeling together with someone, and symphonic music, many instruments sounding together. Students who know phon from phonics see that symphonic means sounds together. Photosynthesis, putting together food with light, is the science payoff.
A quick routine
Write syn, sym and syl in a row. Say, "These are one prefix. It means together. The spelling changes to match the next sound." Show symphonic and ask the student to find phon. "What does phon mean?" Sound. "So symphonic music is sounds together." Repeat with sympathy and photosynthesis. Close with synonym: words that share a meaning.
What do students mix up with syn-?
Students learn synonym in grade 2 or 3 without knowing it holds a prefix, so it's a good hook. The trouble comes with spelling, since sym and syl don't look like syn. Remind them that the letter after the y tells which spelling to use. Symbol, system and syllable also belong, but their other parts are harder to see.
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 syn- mean?
Syn- means "together, or with". It is a Greek prefix, also spelled sym and syl. Syn- becomes sym- before b, m and p (sympathy, symmetry) and syl- before l (syllable). The y is a clue that the word is Greek.
What are some words with the prefix syn-?
Start with symbol, system and symptom. Then move to synonym, synonyms, synonymous and synonymously. This page lists 19 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Why is syllable spelled with syl?
Syllable comes from Greek words meaning taken together: letters taken together to make one beat. The prefix syn becomes syl before l, the same way in- becomes il- in illegal.
Related word parts
- co-together, or with
- con-with, or together
- phonsound
- photolight
- metermeasure
- nymname, or word
- pathfeeling, or suffering
- -ichaving to do with, or like
Terms on this page: morpheme, root, prefix, suffix, base word, word sum, morphology.
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