English Vocabulary — Grade 5
Intermediate • 15 Lessons • Grades 5-6
Lesson 1: Common Prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, dis-)
What Is a Prefix?
A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a root word that changes its meaning. Learning common prefixes helps you decode unfamiliar words and expand your vocabulary quickly.
Word List
| Prefix | Meaning | Word | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| un- | not; opposite of | unhappy | Not happy; feeling sad |
| un- | not; opposite of | unusual | Not usual; out of the ordinary |
| un- | not; opposite of | unfamiliar | Not known or recognized |
| re- | again; back | rewrite | To write again |
| re- | again; back | rebuild | To build again after destruction |
| re- | again; back | review | To look at or examine again |
| pre- | before | preview | A view or showing before the main event |
| pre- | before | prehistoric | Before recorded history |
| pre- | before | predict | To say what will happen before it occurs |
| dis- | not; opposite of | disagree | To have a different opinion |
| dis- | not; opposite of | disappear | To go out of sight; to vanish |
| dis- | not; opposite of | disconnect | To break the connection |
Example Sentences
The magician made the rabbit disappear from the hat.
We need to rewrite the essay because it had too many errors.
Scientists predict that the storm will arrive on Thursday.
The old building was unfamiliar to the new students.
Practice Quiz
Which prefix means "before"?
un-
pre-
re-
dis-
What does the word "rebuild" mean?
To build for the first time
To build incorrectly
To build again
To stop building
Lesson 2: Common Suffixes (-tion, -ness, -able, -ful)
What Is a Suffix?
A suffix is a word part added to the end of a root word. Suffixes often change the word's part of speech (noun, adjective, etc.) and modify its meaning.
Word List
| Suffix | Meaning | Word | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| -tion | act or process | creation | The act of creating something new |
| -tion | act or process | education | The process of learning and teaching |
| -tion | act or process | celebration | The act of celebrating an event |
| -ness | state or quality | kindness | The quality of being kind |
| -ness | state or quality | darkness | The state of being dark |
| -ness | state or quality | happiness | The state of being happy |
| -able | capable of | readable | Capable of being read easily |
| -able | capable of | comfortable | Providing physical ease and relaxation |
| -able | capable of | breakable | Capable of being broken |
| -ful | full of | grateful | Full of gratitude; thankful |
| -ful | full of | powerful | Having great power or strength |
| -ful | full of | beautiful | Full of beauty; pleasing to look at |
Example Sentences
Her kindness to the new student made everyone smile.
The celebration lasted all weekend long.
Please be careful with that vase — it is very breakable.
The powerful engine roared to life.
Practice Quiz
The suffix "-ness" means:
State or quality of
Full of
Capable of
Act or process
Which word means "full of beauty"?
beautiness
beaution
beautiable
beautiful
Lesson 3: Root Words from Latin
Why Learn Latin Roots?
Over 60% of English words come from Latin. Knowing Latin roots lets you decode thousands of words you have never seen before. Each root carries a core meaning that stays consistent across many English words.
Word List
| Root | Meaning | Word | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| dict | to say; speak | dictionary | A book of words and their meanings |
| dict | to say; speak | predict | To say what will happen before it does |
| dict | to say; speak | verdict | A decision spoken by a jury in court |
| port | to carry | transport | To carry goods or people from one place to another |
| port | to carry | portable | Easy to carry or move |
| port | to carry | export | To carry goods out of a country for sale |
| scrib/script | to write | describe | To write or tell about in detail |
| scrib/script | to write | manuscript | A document written by hand or typed |
| scrib/script | to write | inscription | Words written or carved on a surface |
| vis/vid | to see | visible | Able to be seen |
| vis/vid | to see | video | A recording of moving images to be seen |
| vis/vid | to see | invisible | Not able to be seen |
Example Sentences
The ancient inscription on the temple wall was hard to read.
A laptop is portable — you can carry it anywhere.
The stars are not visible on cloudy nights.
Can you describe what the animal looked like?
Practice Quiz
The Latin root "port" means:
To write
To carry
To see
To say
Which word contains the root meaning "to write"?
portable
predict
manuscript
visible