What does the prefix neuro- mean?
Neuro- comes from the Greek neuron, which means "nerve". It shows a relation to the nervous system, the brain or neurons. Everything related to nerves and the mind can carry neuro-.
ESEN
Prefix · nerves / neurology
neuro-
Signals relation to the nervous system: neuron, neuroscience, neurotransmitter, neuroplasticity.
Scientific
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Neuro- in psychology and technology
Neuro- left medicine and reached psychology, marketing and technology. Today people talk about the brain's ability to change with practice, about how it reacts to advertising and about the natural variation in how brains work, which includes conditions like autism or dyslexia. It is a prefix on the rise.
How it is used
Attaches to medical, scientific, and modern nouns:
- neuro- + science/specialtyscience → neurosciencelogy → neurologysurgery → neurosurgerybiology → neurobiology
- neuro- + process/conceptn → neurontransmitter → neurotransmitterplasticity → neuroplasticitydiversity → neurodiversity
Pronunciation: /ˈnjʊərəʊ/.
How it is pronounced
neuro-/ˈnjʊərəʊ/
Tap the button to hear how the prefix sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Root word
With neuro-
In a phrase
- nneuronThe human brain has about 86 billion neurons, each with thousands of connections.
- scienceneuroscienceNeuroscience has advanced greatly thanks to modern brain imaging.
- logyneurologyHe specialised in neurology after treating patients with unexplained seizures.
- transmitterneurotransmitterSerotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.
- plasticityneuroplasticityNeuroplasticity shows the brain keeps forming connections well into adulthood.
- diversityneurodiversityThe company supports neurodiversity with flexible arrangements for staff with ADHD.
- surgeryneurosurgeryThe tumour's location made neurosurgery extremely complex and risky.
Common mistakes
neuron and neutron are the same or sound the same
neuron /ˈnjʊərɒn/ = a nerve cell; neutron /ˈnjuːtrɒn/ = a neutral subatomic particle
"Neuron" and "neutron" sound nearly identical in English but belong to completely different scientific fields. Neuron = a cell in the nervous system. Neutron = a particle in the atomic nucleus with no electrical charge.
neuroplasticity = the brain being like soft plastic material
neuroplasticity = the brain's ability to reorganize by forming new neural connections throughout life
"Plasticity" has nothing to do with the material plastic. It comes from Greek "plastos" (moulded, shaped). Neuroplasticity = the brain's ability to "mould" itself by adapting to new experiences, learning, or injury.
A trick to remember it
Think of neurons passing signals in your brain: neuro- = nerves and brain. neurology, neurotic.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"___ refers to the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life."
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
What is the difference between "neuron" and "neutron"?
Frequently asked questions
What does the prefix neuro- mean in English?
The prefix neuro- signals relation to the nervous system: neuron, neuroscience, neurotransmitter, neuroplasticity.
How do you pronounce neuro-?
The prefix neuro- is pronounced /ˈnjʊərəʊ/. For example, "neuron".
Can you give an example of a word with neuro-?
"n" becomes "neuron". It is a typical example of the neuro- prefix.
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