Here you’ll find 24 Prefixes that start with I, organized from “iatro-” to “italo-“. They mainly derive from Latin or Greek and serve medical, numeric, spatial, and general word-building uses. This selection prioritizes common, high-utility prefixes first, followed by technical or specialized forms.
Prefixes that start with I are short affixes placed before a root to change or refine a word’s meaning. Many come from Latin or Greek, and some like “iatro-” reflect long-standing medical naming traditions.
Below you’ll find the table with Prefix, Origin, Meaning, Example words, Notes, and Sources.
Prefix: Shows the prefix form so you can spot the exact string used before roots and compare variants.
Origin: Gives the linguistic source, like Latin or Greek, so you understand the historical roots of meaning.
Meaning: Provides a concise gloss of the prefix in three to seven words, letting you grasp its basic contribution to a word.
Example words: Lists two to four clear examples so you see how the prefix changes or clarifies real vocabulary you know.
Notes: Highlights usage quirks, variant spellings, and register so you know when and how to apply the prefix correctly.
Sources: Points to reputable reference entries and glossaries so you can verify meanings and explore further etymology when needed.
Prefixes that start with I
| Prefix | Origin | Meaning | Example words |
|---|---|---|---|
| in- | Latin in- | not; in/into (negative or directional) | inactive, import, illegal, irregular |
| inter- | Latin inter- | between, among | international, internet, interpersonal, intercede |
| intra- | Latin intra- | within, inside | intramural, intranet, intravenous, intrastate |
| intro- | Latin intro- | inward, into | introduce, introspect, introvert, introversion |
| infra- | Latin infra- | below, beneath | infrastructure, infrared, infrasonic, infrahumans |
| iso- | Greek isos | equal, same | isotope, isometric, isothermal, isobar |
| idio- | Greek idios | own, peculiar, distinct | idiosyncrasy, idiomatic, idiopathic, idiolect |
| iatro- | Greek iatros | physician, medical treatment | iatrogenic, iatrology, iatrochemistry |
| ichthy- | Greek ichthys | fish | ichthyology, ichthyosis, ichthyosaur |
| ichno- | Greek ichnos | track, trace | ichnology, ichnofossil |
| iodo- | Greek iōd- | containing iodine; violet-colored | iodoform, iodide, iodination |
| ipso- | Latin ipse | self, itself | ipso facto, ipsilateral, ipso jure |
| immuno- | Latin immunis (Med Lat) | immune, protection | immunology, immunization, immunodeficiency |
| indo- | Latin Indus | India, Indian; relating to South Asia | Indo-European, Indo-Pacific, Indo-Aryan |
| italo- | Latin Italia | Italy, Italian | Italo-Romance, Italo-disco, Italo-American |
| ileo- | Latin ileum | ileum (part of small intestine) | ileostomy, ileocecal, ileal |
| ilio- | Latin ilium | ilium (pelvic bone, hip) | iliopsoas, iliofemoral, iliac |
| ideo- | Greek idea | idea, thought | ideology, ideogram, ideological |
| ischio- | Greek ischion | ischium (lower pelvis) | ischiadic, ischiofemoral, ischium |
| irido- | Greek iris/irid- | iris (eye), rainbow-like | iridectomy, iridology, iridocyclitis |
| igni- | Latin ignis | fire | ignite, igneous, ignition |
| imino- | Neo-Latin imino- | relating to the =NH functional group | imino acid, imino group, iminopeptide |
| iono- | Greek ion | ion, charged particle | ionosphere, ionotropic, ionogram |
| ideo- | Greek idea | idea, thought | ideology, ideograph, ideological |