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Know Your Prefix: A Guide to Terms

This resource gives the original Greek and Latin meanings of common prefixes used to describe identities.

This resource gives the original Greek and Latin meanings of common prefixes used to describe identities.  It also has discussion questions and quick ideas for activities.  Download it here.

The list of terms that people are using to describe their identities is ever growing, and it may feel hard to stay on top of it all. This quick guide digs into the Greek and Latin roots of common prefixes to better explain their meanings and how they’re being used.

PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLES
a–­ From Greek, meaning “not” asexual, aromantic, apolitical
bi–­ From Latin, meaning “two” bisexual, bigender, bicycle
cis–­ From Latin, meaning “on this side of” cisgender, cis-­molecule
demi–­ From Latin, meaning “half” demisexual, demiboy, demigod
hetero–­ From Greek, meaning “another” heterosexual, heterogeneous
homo–­ From Greek, meaning “same” homosexual, homogeneous
inter–­ From Latin, meaning “between” intersex, internet, intercept
mono–­ From Greek, meaning “one” or “only” monosexual, monorail
non–­ From Latin, meaning “not” non-­binary, nonprofit
omni–­ From Latin, meaning “all” or “every” omnisexual, omniscient
pan–­ From Greek, meaning “all” or “every” pansexual, panacea, panorama
poly–­ From Greek, meaning “many” or “several” polysexual, polymer, polyglot
trans–­ From Latin, meaning “across” transgender, transport

 

Possible discussion questions:

  1. Looking at their original meanings in Greek, how would you describe the difference between being polysexual and pansexual?
  2. Looking at their original meanings in Latin, how would you describe the difference between being bisexual and demisexual?
  3. It is common to hear people say that a heterosexual is a person who is attracted to people of the opposite Looking at the Greek meaning of “hetero-­“, what might be a more accurate way to define heterosexual?

Possible activities:

  1. Split students into two groups and ask them to come up with as many words in English as they can that start with “trans-­” and “inter-­“. Make it a competition!
  2. Write the prefixes and their meanings above on big pieces of paper, one per Hand them out and ask students to find their match.