Five small Greek and Latin prefixes unlock this topic. Two mean all: Latin omni- and Greek pan-. Ambi- means both. Greek eu- means good or well (and its opposite, dys-, means bad). Hyper- means over or beyond.
Key idea
omni- (all): omnipotent, omniscient. pan- (all): panacea, pandemonium. ambi- (both): ambivalent, ambiguous. eu- (good): euphemism, eulogy. hyper- (over): hyperbole. dys- (bad): dystopia.
You already know these prefixes from everyday words: omnivore (eats all), panorama (a view of all), ambidextrous (good with both hands), hyperactive (over-active).
The ten words
The roots at work
Common mistake
ambivalent means pulled two ways at once, not "indifferent." hyperbole is pronounced hy-PER-buh-lee, and a eulogy (praise) is not an elegy (a sad poem).
| prefix | means | words here | everyday words |
|---|---|---|---|
| omni- | all | omnipotent, omniscient | omnivore |
| pan- | all | panacea, pandemonium | panorama |
| ambi- | both | ambivalent, ambiguous | ambidextrous |
| eu- | good, well | euphemism, eulogy | euphoria |
| hyper- | over, beyond | hyperbole | hyperactive |
| dys- | bad | dystopia | dysfunction |
Keep the pairs apart: ambivalent (mixed feelings) is about how you feel; ambiguous (two possible meanings) is about what something says. And a eulogy praises, while an elegy mourns.