What does the prefix para- mean?
Para- comes from the Greek para, which means "beside", "next to" or "beyond". It shows a side-by-side relation: something that goes alongside, accompanies or resembles another thing.
ESEN
Prefix · beside / beyond / auxiliary
para-
Signals beside, beyond, or an auxiliary role: paramedic, paranormal, paragraph, parallel.
Literary
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
A prefix with several senses
Para- changes its sense a bit depending on the word. Sometimes it is "beside", like an assistant who works next to a professional. Sometimes it is "beyond", like something outside what is normal or official. And sometimes it is "similar but not the same", like an imitation. It is one of the most versatile Greek prefixes, so it helps to look at the context of each word.
How it is used
Attaches to nouns and adjectives:
- para- + field/profession (alongside)medic → paramediclegal → paralegalmilitary → paramilitaryprofessional → paraprofessional
- para- + concept/phenomenonnormal → paranormalgraph → paragraphlel → parallelsite → parasitelyze → paralyze
Pronunciation: /ˈpærə/.
How it is pronounced
para-/ˈpærə/
Tap the button to hear how the prefix sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Root word
With para-
In a phrase
- medicparamedicThe paramedics arrived before the doctors and stabilised the patient.
- normalparanormalShe claimed to have had a paranormal experience in the old mansion.
- graphparagraphEach paragraph should focus on one clear main idea.
- lelparallelLines of latitude run parallel to the equator around the globe.
- legalparalegalThe paralegal prepared all documents so the solicitor could advise clients.
- siteparasiteA tapeworm is a parasite that can live undetected in a host for years.
- lyzeparalyzeFear of failure had completely paralyzed him and he couldn't begin.
Common mistakes
parasite = any organism that depends on another
parasite = an organism that lives on or in another (the host) and obtains nutrition at the host's expense without benefiting it
By definition, a parasite harms or at least fails to benefit its host. Not all organisms that "depend" on others are parasites: mutualists benefit each other; commensals benefit without harming. Only the parasite benefits at the host's expense.
paranormal = supernatural (identical meaning)
paranormal = beyond what current science can explain, without necessarily implying divine or supernatural agency
"Paranormal" (para- = beyond + normal) describes phenomena outside what science currently explains (ESP, telekinesis). "Supernatural" (super- = above + natural) implies an intervention from a higher order, typically divine. They are related but not identical concepts.
A trick to remember it
Picture something walking alongside the main thing, like its helper: para- = next to, auxiliary. paramedic, paragraph.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"Lines of latitude run ___ to the equator, maintaining the same distance from it at every point."
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
What is the difference between "paranormal" and "supernatural"?
Frequently asked questions
What does the prefix para- mean in English?
The prefix para- signals beside, beyond, or an auxiliary role: paramedic, paranormal, paragraph, parallel.
How do you pronounce para-?
The prefix para- is pronounced /ˈpærə/. For example, "paramedic".
Can you give an example of a word with para-?
"medic" becomes "paramedic". It is a typical example of the para- prefix.
Other useful prefixes
Learn every English prefix
un-, re-, pre-, dis-, over-, in-... every beginning you need to unlock thousands of English words at once.