Focus on Vocabulary: Use Word Parts
A suffix is a word part added to the end of a base word. The suffix changes the part of speech and the meaning of the word.
The suffix -ful means “full of.” Add it to the noun fear and you change the noun into an adjective. The new word fearful means “full of fear.”
EXAMPLE
| fear base word | + | ful suffix | = | fearful |
How the Strategy Works
When you read, you may come to a word you don’t know. Analyze the meanings of the word parts to understand the whole word.
| EXAMPLE | You cannot go to the store shoeless. |
1. Look closely at the word to see if you know any of the parts.
2. If the word has a suffix, cover it up. shoeless
3. Think about the meaning of the base word.
4. Uncover the suffix and determine its meaning.
5. Put the meanings of the word parts together to define the whole word. Be sure the meaning makes sense in the passage.
Follow the Strategy in Action to figure out the meaning of wonderful.
REMEMBER You can use the meanings of word parts to figure out the meanings of unknown words.