with, together
Quick Summary
Prefixes are key morphemes in English vocabulary that begin words. The prefix con-, which means “with” or “thoroughly,” appears in numerous English vocabulary words, for example: connect, consensus, and conclude. An easy way to remember that the prefix con means “with” is through the word connect, or join “with.” A way to remember that it means “thoroughly” is through conclude, or “thoroughly” close a matter.
Thoroughly Together With "Con-"
Today we will focus on the prefix con-, which can mean “with” or “thoroughly.” Prefixes are morphemes which begin words, attaching to a word’s main part, or stem.
One highly used meaning of the prefix con- is “with.” For instance, when you connect two objects, you link them “with” each other. When people convene at a particular place, they come there “with” others. In the same vein, when people congregate, they flock “with” each other. A consensus is a mutual feeling of agreement that people have “with” each other. And concord? Concord is agreement or harmony, or etymologically when one person’s “heart” is “with” another.
If you know Spanish, you’ll remember that the preposition con means “with,” such as in the expressions: con mucho gusto (“with” much pleasure), or chile con carne (chili pepper “with” meat). This Spanish word came from the Latin root word con- as well.
Prefixes, such as con-, can also act as intensives, which emphasize the meaning of the stem of the word to which they are attached. Intensive prefixes can functionally be translated as “thoroughly” to indicate that emphasis. For instance, when you conclude that something is true, you have “thoroughly” closed any debate on the issue of its truthfulness. When you convince someone of the truth of what you say, you “thoroughly” win him over. A consequence is a result which “thoroughly” follows you after you’ve done something. When you concede a point in a debate, you “thoroughly” yield to it. And concise wording? It has “thoroughly” cut away any unnecessary words, keeping what is said short and to the point. ’Nuff said!
Hence we’ve come to the conclusion, or “thorough” closing of our rootcast for the day. Just remember that con- can mean “with” or “thoroughly,” and you’ll “thoroughly” master all those words “with” the prefix con- in them!
- connect: link ‘with’ another
- convene: come together ‘with’ others
- congregate: flock ‘with’ others
- consensus: feeling ‘with’ others
- concord: heart ‘with’ another
- conclude: ‘thoroughly’ close
- convince: ‘thoroughly’ win over
- consequence: effect which ‘thoroughly’ follows
- concede: ‘thoroughly’ yield
- concise: ‘thoroughly’ cut
Related Rootcasts
- The Fascinating Parts of Words Morphology is the study of how words are put together by using morphemes, which include prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Parsing the different morphemes in a word reveals meaning and part of speech. For instance, the word “invention” includes the prefix in- + the root vent + the suffix -ion, from which is formed the noun “invention.”
- Etymology: Word Origins Etymology is that part of linguistics that studies word origins. English vocabulary words are formed from many different sources, especially Latin and Greek. By determining the origins of the morphemes in English words, one is better able to remember and determine the dictionary definitions of words.
Usage
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contumacious
Someone who is contumacious is purposely stubborn, contrary, or disobedient.
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conclave
A conclave is a meeting between a group of people who discuss something secretly.
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contiguous
Contiguous things are in contact with or near each other; contiguous events happen one right after the other without a break.
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disconcert
If something disconcerts you, it makes you feel anxious, worried, or confused.
(Video) prefixes, root words, suffixes -
convivial
A convivial atmosphere or occasion is friendly, pleasant, cheerful, and relaxed.
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connote
If a word or behavior connotes something, it suggests an additional idea or emotion that is not part of its original literal meaning.
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conjecture
A conjecture is a theory or guess that is based on information that is not certain or complete.
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convoke
To convoke a meeting or assembly is to bring people together for a formal gathering or ceremony of some kind.
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concordant
Two people concordant with each other are in agreement or harmony.
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concatenate
If you concatenate two or more things, you join them together by linking them one after the other.
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concomitant
Something is concomitant when it happens at the same time as something else and is connected with it in some fashion.
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conjugal
The adjective conjugal refers to marriage or the relationship between two married people.
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conflate
If you conflate two or more descriptions or ideas, you combine them in order to produce a single unit.
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contingent
If something is contingent upon something else, the first thing depends on the second in order to happen or exist.
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congenial
A congenial person, place, or environment is pleasant, friendly, and enjoyable.
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condole
If you condole with someone, you express sympathy or sorrow, usually on the death of someone dear.
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confluence
A confluence is a situation where two or more things meet or flow together at a single point or area; a confluence usually refers to two streams joining together.
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consanguinity
Consanguinity is the state of being related to someone else by blood or having a similar close relationship to them.
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congeal
When a liquid congeals, it becomes very thick and sticky, almost like a solid.
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concentric
Concentric circles, gradually increasing in size, spread out from a common central point.
(Video) Prefixes, Suffixes, and Word Roots - Video and Worksheet -
concerted
A concerted effort is intensive and determined work that is performed by two people or more to complete a task.
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concurrent
Concurrent events happen at the same time.
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congenital
A congenital condition is something someone is born with, such as a character trait or physical state.
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conglomerate
A conglomerate is a large business or organization that consists of many different companies involved in numerous areas of expertise.
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conjure
When you try to conjure up images of the past, you call upon or summon them in your mind by imagining them.
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consensus
When a group of people reaches a consensus, it has reached a general agreement about something.
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contemporary
A contemporary object exists at the same time as something else or exists at the current time.
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convene
People convene when they gather together or are called together by someone for a meeting.
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conventional
A conventional way of thinking or behaving is the one most commonly accepted by social groups.
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convergent
Two things that are convergent are meeting or coming together at one point in time or space.
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nonconformist
A nonconformist is unwilling to believe in the same things other people do or act in a fashion that society sets as a standard.
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concur
When you concur with another person, you agree with or have the same opinion as they do.
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constitute
Those things that constitute something form or make it up.
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consent
When you consent to something, you agree to it or give permission for it to be done.
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constituent
A constituent part of something makes up part of the whole thing.
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confront
When you confront someone, you attack, oppose, or question what they are doing, often with open dislike.
(Video) Words With the Prefix CON (6 Illustrated Examples) -
concoct
When you concoct something, such as a story or recipe, you create it or mix things together in a new way.
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contract
When a substance contracts, it becomes smaller in size.
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inconsistency
An inconsistency is something that does not quite fit or disagrees somehow with the rest of the members of its group.
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concentrate
When you concentrate on something, such as a difficult math problem, you think hard about it for a while.
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contribute
When you contribute to something, such as a good cause, you give money or help to it.
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conduct
The way you conduct yourself is how you behave or act.
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conflict
A conflict is a fight or disagreement between two or more people that can sometimes last a long time.
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connection
A connection is a link between things or people.
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congratulate
When you congratulate someone, you praise them or are happy about some success they've had.
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construct
When you construct something, you build or create it.
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condition
The condition of something is how it is right now or the shape that it is in.
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consecutive
Consecutive events happen one right after the other with no breaks in between.
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contain
When a box or jar contains something, such as food, it holds or keeps it inside.
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content
If you are content about something, you are happy or pleased with it.
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confine
When you confine someone, you limit where they can go or what they can do.
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conversation
In a conversation, people talk with each other to share ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
(Video) "Prefix or Suffix?" by The Bazillions -
contact
When there is contact between two things or people, they touch or there is a link formed between them.
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conciliate
cause to be more favorably inclined
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concord
go together
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condominium
one of the dwelling units in a condominium
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confidential
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
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conglomeration
a rounded spherical form
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congregate
come together, usually for a purpose
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connect
connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces
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connubial
of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband
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consolation
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
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contemptuous
expressing extreme contempt
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context
discourse that surrounds a language unit and helps to determine its interpretation
Back to Roots
Related Roots
- con- thoroughly
- co- with, together
- col- with, together
- com- with, together
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