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Self Prefix Quiz: How Well Do You Know 'Self' Words?

Think you know the prefix that means self? Dive in and find out!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for self-prefix quiz on a golden yellow background

Think you can ace our self prefix challenge? Our Free Quiz: Master the Self Prefix and Test Your Skills is made for word lovers eager to test their grammar game! Delve into the prefix that means self and see why the prefix self shows up in everyday words. You'll learn to spot the prefix of self in words with self prefix - from self-esteem to selfie - discover the prefix for self is in action, and boost your vocabulary power. Ready to play? Try our interactive language quiz and check related roots with our handy prefix finder tool . Take the quiz now!

Easy
What does the prefix "auto-" mean?
Other
Before
Self
After
The prefix "auto-" comes from the Greek word "autos", meaning "self". It is used in English to form words indicating self-action or self-reference. For example, "autograph" means a person's own signature. Etymology Online
What does the word "autograph" mean?
Self-driving car
A self-portrait
A person's own signature
Self-government system
"Autograph" combines "auto-" meaning self and "-graph" meaning writing. Thus it refers to one's own writing or signature. Celebrities often provide autographs for fans. Merriam-Webster
A vehicle powered by itself is called a(n) _____?
Autopilot
Automobile
Autodidact
Autobiography
"Automobile" combines "auto-" meaning self and "-mobile" meaning movable, referring to a self-moving vehicle. It is the common term for a car. Etymology Online
What is an "autobiography"?
A travel guide
A biography written by another
A self-written life story
A historical novel
"Autobiography" is formed from the Greek "auto-" meaning self, "bio" meaning life, and "-graphy" meaning writing. It refers to a person's life story written by themselves. Merriam-Webster
What does "autocorrect" do?
Automatically corrects typing errors
Records audio automatically
Controls a vehicle without driver
Writes personal stories
"Autocorrect" uses "auto-" for self, and "correct" meaning to fix. It refers to a software feature that fixes typos or spelling errors automatically. Merriam-Webster
Which word means "self-rule"?
Autocracy
Autopsy
Autoclave
Autonomy
"Autonomy" comes from Greek "auto-" meaning self and "-nomy" meaning law or rule, thus "self-rule". It often describes political independence or personal freedom. Etymology Online
Which of these words refers to self-eating or self-digestion?
Autophagy
Autopsy
Autobiography
Autocracy
"Autophagy" combines "auto-" meaning self and "-phagy" meaning eating, referring to the process by which cells digest their own components. It is important in cell maintenance and survival. NCBI
What is an "autopilot" designed to do?
Control a vehicle automatically
Repair a vehicle itself
Write the pilot's autobiography
Provide self-defense
"Autopilot" combines "auto-" meaning self and "pilot" meaning navigator, referring to a system that controls the course of a vehicle without human intervention. It is commonly used in aviation and maritime navigation. Merriam-Webster
Medium
What does "autonomy" refer to in a political context?
Self-governance of a region
Type of self-driving car
Collection of taxes
Rule by a single leader
In politics, "autonomy" describes the self-governance or independent administration of a region or group. It originates from Greek "auto-" meaning self and "-nomy" meaning law. Britannica
What is an "autodidact"?
A government official
A type of autobiography
A medical examiner
A self-taught person
"Autodidact" comes from Greek "auto-" meaning self and "didaktos" meaning taught, referring to a person who has learned without formal instruction. Merriam-Webster
"Autocracy" is defined as the rule by:
Self-governing institutions
One person with absolute power
A group of citizens
A council of elders
"Autocracy" combines "auto-" meaning self and "-cracy" meaning rule, but in usage it refers to a system where one person holds absolute power. Merriam-Webster
The scientific process "autopsy" involves:
Self-examination of cells
Examination of a body after death
Study of autobiography
Self-correction of viruses
"Autopsy" comes from Greek "auto-" meaning self and "-opsy" meaning sight or examination, originally meaning to see with one's own eyes, now referring to a post-mortem examination. Merriam-Webster
"Autocorrelation" in data analysis measures:
Self-destructive data patterns
Similarity of a signal with a delayed version of itself
Correlation between two different datasets
Automatic correction of data
"Autocorrelation" uses "auto-" meaning self and "correlation" meaning relationship, measuring how a signal relates to a delayed copy of itself. It is common in time series analysis. Investopedia
What does the word "autism" literally derive from?
Self
Behavior
Development
Other
"Autism" comes from Greek "autos" meaning self with the suffix "-ism", originally describing withdrawal into oneself. It was first used in psychiatric context in the early 20th century. Britannica
The process of self-destruction in cells is called:
Autoplasty
Autoimmunity
Autolysis
Autonomy
"Autolysis" combines "auto-" meaning self and "-lysis" meaning breakdown, referring to the destruction of cells by their own enzymes. It occurs in tissue post-mortem and in apoptosis. NCBI
An "autoimmune" response involves the body's:
Wound healing automatically
Blood clotting
Cells repairing themselves
Immune system attacking its own cells
"Autoimmune" uses "auto-" for self and "immune" for immunity, describing when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Mayo Clinic
Hard
What does the term "autogenous" refer to?
Produced by viruses
Produced or generated within the organism itself
Imported from external sources
Generated by government
"Autogenous" combines "auto-" meaning self and "-genous" meaning produced or generated, referring to something produced by the organism or system itself without external influence. Merriam-Webster
An "autoantibody" is:
An antibody that targets the body's own tissues
An antibody that attacks viruses
An antibody used for self-defense
An antibody that corrects itself
"Autoantibody" uses "auto-" for self and "antibody" meaning immune protein, describing antibodies that mistakenly target the body's own cells, often in autoimmune diseases. NCBI PMC
"Autosuggestion" refers to the process of:
Mechanical auto-completion of text
Medical self-examination
Influencing one's own thoughts or behaviors by self-induced suggestion
Suggesting ideas to others automatically
"Autosuggestion" combines "auto-" meaning self and "suggestion", referring to guiding one's own thoughts or behavior through self-administered statements or affirmations. It was popularized by Émile Coué. Britannica
What is "autoethnography" in social science research?
A study of automobiles in different cultures
A research method where the author uses self-reflection to explore cultural experiences
A method for automatically coding ethnographic data
A survey of ethnic groups by computers
"Autoethnography" combines "auto-" meaning self and "ethnography" meaning cultural study, where researchers use personal experience and reflection to understand cultural phenomena. Britannica
In economics, "autarky" refers to:
An economic crisis
Automatic market correction
A policy of self-sufficiency and limited trade
A government-run economy
"Autarky" is derived from Greek "autos" meaning self and "arkein" meaning to suffice, describing an economic system where a nation is self-sufficient and does not depend on international trade. Britannica
In electronics, "autogenous noise" is noise that:
Is introduced by external signals
Originates within the electronic system itself
Arises from user interference
Is generated by automatic filters
"Autogenous" means self-generated. In electronics, autogenous noise refers to interference produced by components within the system rather than external sources. Techopedia
Define "autoerotic" behavior:
Erotic response triggered by music
Automatic emotional response
Self-stimulation for sexual gratification
Romantic behavior with another
"Autoerotic" combines "auto-" meaning self and "erotic" relating to sexual desire, referring to sexual arousal or stimulation of oneself without a partner. Merriam-Webster
Expert
What does "automimesis" refer to?
Imitation of oneself or self-copying
Automatic membrane folding
A self-destructive pattern
A government copying policy
"Automimesis" combines "auto-" meaning self and "mimesis" meaning imitation, referring to the process of copying or imitating oneself. It is used in literary and philosophical contexts. Oxford Reference
In literary theory, what is an "autodiegetic" narration?
A narration without any characters
A story narrated by a character who is also the protagonist
A third-person omniscient narrator
A narration that critiques itself
"Autodiegetic" comes from "auto-" meaning self and "diegetic" meaning narrative. It refers to a first-person narrator who tells their own story as the protagonist. Oxford Reference
0
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Study Outcomes

  1. Define the Self Prefix -

    Understand the origin and meaning of the self prefix in English, including how the prefix that means self shapes word definitions.

  2. Identify Words with the Self Prefix -

    Recognize and list common words that use the prefix self, enhancing your vocabulary of words with self prefix.

  3. Analyze Word Structure -

    Break down complex words to isolate the prefix of self, examining how it combines with roots and suffixes.

  4. Apply the Prefix in Context -

    Use the prefix self in sentences and real-world scenarios, demonstrating correct usage of the prefix for self in everyday language.

  5. Recall Key Examples -

    Memorize a selection of high-frequency self prefix words and recall their meanings during the quiz challenge.

  6. Demonstrate Mastery -

    Complete the free self prefix quiz with confidence, testing your knowledge and reinforcing your understanding of the prefix self.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Greek Origins of the Self Prefix -

    The prefix that means self in many English words is auto-, derived from the Greek autós, meaning "self" or "same." According to the Oxford English Dictionary, this root first appeared in English in the 17th century and underpins terms like autobiography ("self”name") and autonomy ("self”rule"), demonstrating how the self prefix shapes modern English.

  2. Identifying Auto- in Compound Words -

    When you spot auto- at the start of a word, it signals a self-related concept; for instance, autofocus breaks into auto ("self") + focus ("to see"), meaning the camera focuses itself. This morphological clue helps you decode the prefix of self in compound words, as highlighted by university linguistics research.

  3. Comparing Auto- to Native Self- -

    English also uses the native self- prefix (as in self-esteem), but auto- (Greek) versus self- (Old English) often carries a more technical or formal feel. Understanding both, drawn from Merriam-Webster's usage notes, enriches your word knowledge and empowers you to choose the right level of formality.

  4. Everyday Vocabulary with Auto- -

    Auto- appears in a wide range of everyday terms like autopilot, automobile, and automation, all featuring the self-action or self-driving idea at their core. Analyzing context clues from reputable sources such as Cambridge University Press shows how auto- consistently conveys self-operation.

  5. Mnemonic Tricks and Practice Tips -

    A quick way to remember auto- means self is to think "autos drive themselves," linking the prefix to cars. Boost retention by creating flashcards and taking free quizzes from university language centers or trusted educational sites to test your skills regularly.

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