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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Which affixes mean without? Select two answers

Quick, free quiz on affixes that mean without. Instant results and examples.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Maria ToroUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a Roots and Affixes quiz on a dark blue background

This quick check helps you decide which affixes mean without and pick two correct options. You will practice with short examples and get instant results. If you want more practice, try our prefix and suffix quiz, build skills with a focused prefix quiz, or review word parts in a root word quiz.

Which prefix means "without" in the word "asymmetrical"?
a-
in-
pre-
re-
The prefix "a-" in "asymmetrical" comes from Greek and means "not" or "without". It negates the base word "symmetrical" to indicate lack of symmetry. This prefix is common in scientific and English terms.
Which prefix variant is used before vowels to mean "without"?
anti-
an-
ante-
auto-
The form "an-" is the vowel-initial variant of the negative prefix "a-", meaning "without" or "not". It appears before vowel sounds for ease of pronunciation. Words like "anarchy" and "anemia" use this variant.
Which affix in "unharmed" indicates negation or absence?
non-
de-
un-
in-
The prefix "un-" is a Germanic negative particle meaning "not" or "the reverse of". In "unharmed", it conveys that harm did not occur. This prefix is very common in English negations.
Which prefix means "not" in "nonfiction"?
non-
mis-
a-
dis-
The prefix "non-" is derived from Latin "non" meaning "not". In "nonfiction", it indicates works that are not fictional. It is widely used in English to negate nouns and adjectives.
Which prefix in "deactivate" means "remove" or "do the opposite of"?
sub-
re-
pre-
de-
The prefix "de-" comes from Latin and often means "down", "away", or "reverse of". In "deactivate", it signifies reversing the action of activation. This prefix is common in words like "dehydrate" and "defrost".
Which prefix in "amoral" means "without moral sense"?
anti-
em-
a-
over-
In "amoral", the prefix "a-" negates the noun "moral" to mean "lacking morality". It comes from Greek and is used in words such as "apolitical" and "asocial". This negative prefix is common in academic terminology.
Which prefix in "inefficient" means "not"?
im-
un-
in-
non-
The prefix "in-" is from Latin and means "not" or "without". In "inefficient", it negates "efficient" to indicate lack of efficiency. It often appears before consonants, whereas "im-" appears before labials.
Which prefix in "illegal" represents negation?
il-
re-
en-
bi-
The prefix "il-" is a variant of Latin "in-" used before "l" to mean "not". In "illegal", it negates "legal" to indicate something that is against the law. Variants include "im-" before "b/m/p" and "ir-" before "r".
Which prefix in "anonymous" means "without a name"?
anti-
auto-
allo-
an-
The prefix "an-" is used before vowels and means "not" or "without". In "anonymous", it negates "onymous" (name) to mean "without a name". This form is common in Greek-derived words.
Which prefix in "aphasia" means "without speech"?
dys-
a-
pros-
para-
In medical terminology, "a-" indicates absence. "Aphasia" uses "a-" plus Greek "-phasia" (speech) to mean loss of the ability to speak. This prefix appears in other disorders like "asthenia".
What is the meaning of the root psych-?
Hear
Soil
Light
Mind
The root "psych-" comes from Greek "psyche" meaning "mind" or "soul". It appears in words like "psychology" and "psychosis". This root is fundamental in medical and academic contexts about the mind.
In the term "psychology," psych- means what?
Sound
Mind
Water
Color
In "psychology", "psych-" refers to the mind, and "-logy" means "study of". Together, it denotes the study of the mind and behavior. This formation is common in Greek-derived scientific terms.
What does the root aud- mean?
Speak
Sight
Hear
Write
The Latin root "aud-" or "audire" means "to hear". It appears in words like "audible", "audio", and "auditorium". This root is central to terms related to hearing and sound.
In "audible", aud- means what?
Eye
Write
Sound
Hear
In "audible", the root "aud-" means "hear", and "-ible" means "able to be". Thus, "audible" describes something that can be heard. The word is frequently used in sound technology contexts.
What is the meaning of the root sol- in "solar"?
Only
Alone
Soil
Sun
The Latin root "sol-" means "sun". It appears in "solar", "solstice", and "insolation". This root is widely used in scientific contexts involving sunlight and astronomy.
In "solitude", sol- means what?
Solid
Sun
Soul
Alone
In "solitude", "sol-" comes from Latin "solus" meaning "alone". The suffix "-itude" indicates a state or condition. Combined, it denotes the state of being alone.
Which prefix indicates absence or lack in "apathy"?
auto-
anti-
a-
apo-
In "apathy", "a-" negates the noun "pathy" (feeling) to mean "lack of feeling". It comes from Greek and is used to form nouns indicating absence. The term is common in psychology.
Which affix in "antonym" means "opposite" rather than "without"?
a-
an-
anti-
apo-
The prefix "anti-" comes from Greek and means "against" or "opposite of". In "antonym", it denotes a word opposite in meaning. It is distinct from "an-" which means "without".
What does the prefix de- mean in "dethrone"?
Before
Not
Remove or reverse
Again
In "dethrone", "de-" indicates removal or reversal of the action of enthroning. It is derived from Latin and commonly reverses the base action. The same prefix appears in "dehydrate" and "devalue".
Which prefix in "nonplussed" means "not"?
un-
de-
non-
in-
In "nonplussed", the prefix "non-" negates the adjective "plussed" (astonished). Although the usage evolved, "non-" originally meant "not". It is a standard negating prefix in English.
In "anarchy", which prefix means "without"?
arch-
an-
anti-
aero-
In "anarchy", the prefix "an-" negates "archy" (rule) to mean "without rule". It is the vowel-initial variant of the negative prefix "a-". This form is native to Greek compounds.
In "amnesia", which affix means "without memory"?
ana-
a-
am-
anti-
The prefix "a-" in "amnesia" negates "mnesia" (memory) to mean "lack of memory". It originates from Greek medical terminology. This prefix is used in many clinical terms denoting absence.
In "atypical", what does the prefix a- mean?
One
Away from
Above
Not
In "atypical", "a-" is a negative prefix meaning "not". It negates "typical" to indicate deviation from the norm. This usage reflects its Greek origin.
Which affix in "atheist" indicates "without belief in a god"?
the-
anti-
ism-
a-
In "atheist", the Greek-derived prefix "a-" negates "theism" (belief in God), producing the meaning "one without belief in God". This formation is common in theological terms.
In "agnostic", what does a- mean?
Against
God
Without
Know
The word "agnostic" uses the prefix "a-" plus Greek "gnostikos" (knowing) to mean "without knowledge" regarding the divine. It highlights the absence of certain knowledge.
Which prefix in "apolitical" indicates lack of political interest?
anti-
meta-
a-
poly-
In "apolitical", "a-" negates "political" to mean "not interested in politics". This is a direct use of the Greek negative prefix. Such usage is common in social science vocabulary.
Which prefix in "uncertain" means "not"?
in-
non-
un-
de-
The prefix "un-" in "uncertain" negates the adjective "certain" to indicate doubt. It is a Germanic negating particle widespread in English.
Which prefix in "nonconformist" means "not"?
de-
un-
non-
in-
In "nonconformist", "non-" negates "conformist" to describe someone who does not conform. It derives from Latin and Old French negative particles.
In "illogical", the prefix "il-" is a variant of which base prefix meaning "not"?
il-
in-
ir-
im-
The form "il-" is a contextual variant of Latin "in-" used before "l" to mean "not". In "illogical", it negates "logical". Other variants include "im-" before b/p and "ir-" before r.
The Greek negative prefix a- comes from which language root?
Latin
Ancient Greek
Proto-Germanic
Old Norse
The negative prefix "a-" is originally Greek, deriving from the Proto-Indo-European root *n?-. It was adopted into English via Latin and Old French for many scientific and abstract terms. Its use in English retains the Greek meaning.
The prefix non- comes from which language origin?
Germanic
Greek
Latin
Celtic
The prefix "non-" originates from Latin "non" meaning "not". It entered English through Old French and has been used since Middle English to negate verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Its distribution is unrestricted by following sounds.
Which combining form from Greek meaning "without" is used before vowels, as in "atrophy"?
a-
alpha-
anti-
an-
The combining form "an-" is used before vowels to mean "without", as in "anarchy" and "atrophy". It is the vowel-initial variant of "a-". The form "anti-" means "against", not "without".
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Affixes Meaning "Without" -

    Determine which two affixes mean "without" by selecting the correct options in the quiz, reinforcing your grasp of negative prefixes in English.

  2. Recognize the Root Word Aud -

    Understand how the root word aud relates to hearing and identify examples of its use in common vocabulary.

  3. Analyze the Root Word for Psych -

    Explore the root psych to see how it forms words related to mind and behavior, and differentiate between similar terms.

  4. Distinguish Root Words for Sol and Corp -

    Compare and contrast the roots sol (meaning sun or alone) and corp (meaning body) by identifying words that feature each root.

  5. Apply Affix and Root Knowledge -

    Use your new understanding of roots and affixes to decode unfamiliar words and enhance your vocabulary with context clues.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Identifying Affixes Meaning "Without" -

    When quizzed on which affixes mean without, select two options: a- and an-, both Greek prefixes that signal absence or lack, as in amoral (without morals) and anhydrous (without water). A mnemonic trick like "an- absent" can help you remember these forms in words such as anarchy (without rule) and atypical (not typical).

  2. Understanding the Root Word "aud" -

    Derived from Latin audire "to hear," aud- appears in words like audible (able to be heard) and auditorium (a place for listening). According to Merriam-Webster, spotting aud- can help you infer meaning when encountering unfamiliar terms such as audit (to listen, later meaning review).

  3. Exploring the Root Word "psych" -

    From the Greek psychē "mind" or "soul," psych- is the basis of psychology (study of mind) and psychotherapy (healing of the psyche). A helpful trick is "psyche at work" to link psych- words to mental processes and therapies.

  4. Recognizing the Root Word "sol" -

    Latin sol means "sun" or "alone," appearing in solar (relating to the sun) and solitary (alone). The University of Minnesota Language Center notes sol- forms inspire terms like solstice (standing sun) by combining sol- with Latin sistere "to stand."

  5. Spotting Words with the Root "corp" -

    Latin corpus "body" yields corp- in corporation (a body of people) and corpulent (having a large body). The American Heritage Dictionary explains that remembering "corp is core" helps you link corp- to body-related words.

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