Prefix · electricity / electronic
Signals relation to electricity: electricity, electrode, electrocardiogram, electrolyte.
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Electro- comes from Greek "elektron" (amber) because rubbing amber was found to produce static electricity. It signals a relation to electricity or electrical phenomena: electricity = the phenomenon of electric charge; electrode = a conductor that carries current; electrocardiogram = a recording of the heart's electrical activity; electrolysis = chemical decomposition by electricity.
Electro- is one of the most productive prefixes in technology: electronics = the science of electrical circuits and devices; electromagnet = a magnet activated by electricity; electrolyte = a substance that conducts electricity in solution (used in batteries and the human body); electroencephalogram (EEG) = a recording of the brain's electrical activity. It also names a music genre (electro).
Attaches to scientific and technical nouns. Identical in Spanish and English:
Pronunciation: /ɪˈlektrəʊ/. Identical in Spanish and English. "Electro" alone also refers to an electronic music genre.
electro-/ɪˈlektrəʊ/
Tap the button to hear how the prefix sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
"Electrolyte" is a scientific term: any substance that dissociates into ions in solution and conducts electricity (sodium, potassium, chloride in the body; sulfuric acid in lead batteries). Sports drinks replenish the electrolytes lost in sweat.
An electromagnet is only magnetic while current flows through its coil. Cut the power and the magnetism disappears. Permanent magnets (like fridge magnets) maintain their magnetism without electricity.
A trick to remember it
Electro- = "electricity": electricity = the phenomenon, electrode = the conductor, electrocardiogram = the heart recording, electronics = the science. Identical in Spanish and English. The word comes from Greek "elektron" (amber), the first material where static electricity was observed.
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"___ are minerals in blood and body fluids that carry an electric charge and are vital for muscle function."
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
What is an electromagnet?
The prefix electro- signals relation to electricity: electricity, electrode, electrocardiogram, electrolyte. In Spanish it usually maps to electro-.
The prefix electro- is pronounced /ɪˈlektrəʊ/. For example, "electricity".
"icity" becomes "electricity". It is a typical example of the electro- prefix.
un-, re-, pre-, dis-, over-, in-... every beginning you need to unlock thousands of English words at once.