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para-
(PAR-uh)beside, alongside, similar
Greek for beside or alongside. A paramedic works alongside doctors; parallel lines run beside each other forever.
prefixGreek
Place & directionSpellings:parapar
Example words
parallel
running side by side, never meeting
paragraph
a group of sentences set beside each other on a page
paramedic
someone trained to give medical help alongside doctors
paranormal
beside or beyond what is considered normal
parody
a piece that imitates another in a humorous way
Common Core alignment
Grades served: 5, 6, 7
- L.5.4bUse common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis).
- L.6.4bUse common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., audience, auditory, audible).
- L.7.4bUse common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., belligerent, bellicose, rebel).
Place & direction. Roots that locate things: under, over, between, before, after.
Browse all place & direction roots →L.5.4bL.6.4bL.7.4b