Uni- (Prefix) - Word Root - Membean

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Footer

uni-

one

Quick Summary

The prefix uni- which means “one” is an important prefix in the English language. For instance, the prefix uni- gave rise to the words unicycle, uniform, and unison. Perhaps the easiest way to remember that uni- means “one” is through the word unicorn, or mythological horse that had “one” horn.

One at a Time

The prefix uni- which means “one” is an important prefix in the English language. Let’s see how this prefix works with more than just “one” example!

A unicorn, for instance, is a mythological horse that had “one” horn sprouting from its forehead. The universe is etymologically all of perceptible creation turned into “one” entirety. A university is a place that has been turned into “one” area of learning for both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Imagine going to a circus. You might see performers doing stunts on unicycles, or bicycles with just “one” wheel instead of two. These performers would probably be in uniforms, so that they all appear to make “one” outward shape. They might also perform in a unified fashion, all doing the same moves at the same time. They might even sing in unison, all in “one” sound!

A union of two people in marriage makes them “one” couple. Speaking of political unions, the states of the United States all form “one” nation. The motto of the United States is, appropriately, e pluribus unum, or “one” nation formed from many peoples.

The Latin number unus, “one,” gave rise to many similar sounding number “ones” in the Romance languages. French has both un and une, Spanish has uno, and Italian likewise has uno, to name a few. The last two numbers remind us of the card game Uno, where each player tries to get down to “one” card before calling out “Uno!”

I hope that this unique list of words which explain the “one” prefix uni- is helpful in your various subjects’ units in school!

1. unicorn: horse with ‘one’ horn
2. Universe: creation turned into ‘one’ totality
3. university: ‘one’ area of academic learning for graduate and undergraduate degrees
4. unicycle: bicycle with ‘one’ wheel instead of two
5. uniform: clothes which give ‘one’ shape
6. unified: made as ‘one’
7. unison: making ‘one’ sound
8. union: a making of ‘one’ from different parts
9. United States: states made into ‘one’ nation
10. e pluribus unum: ‘one’ from many
11. unique: pertaining to something of which there is only ‘one’ example
12. unit: ‘one’ of a whole range of things

Related Rootcasts

• The Fascinating Parts of Words

  Morphology is the study of how words are put together by using morphemes, which include prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Parsing the different morphemes in a word reveals meaning and part of speech. For instance, the word “invention” includes the prefix in- + the root vent + the suffix -ion, from which is formed the noun “invention.”

• Etymology: Word Origins

  Etymology is that part of linguistics that studies word origins. English vocabulary words are formed from many different sources, especially Latin and Greek. By determining the origins of the morphemes in English words, one is better able to remember and determine the dictionary definitions of words.

Usage

• unison

  Doing something in unison is doing it all together at one time.

• unanimous

  All people involved in a unanimous decision agree or are united in their opinion about something.

• unilateral

  A unilateral decision is entirely one-sided, involving only one facet of an issue or one country among many.

• reunion

  a party of former associates who have come together again

• unanimity

  everyone being of one mind

• unicorn

  an imaginary creature represented as a white horse with a long horn growing from its forehead

• unicycle

  ride a unicycle

• unification

  an occurrence that involves the production of a union

• unified

  formed or united into a whole

• uniform

  provide with uniforms

• unify

  become one

• union

  being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War

• unionist

  a worker who belongs to a trade union

• unionize

  recruit for a union or organize into a union

• unique

  radically distinctive and without equal

• unit

  any division of quantity accepted as a standard of measurement or exchange

• unite

  join or combine

• unity

  an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting

• universe

  everything that exists anywhere

• university

  the body of faculty and students at a university

Related Word Roots

• -eur

  one who

• mono-

  one, single

Back to Word Roots

Differentiated vocabulary for your students is just a click away.

Get Started

We use cookies! 🍪

We use cookies to provide you with the best online experience. By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use.

Got It!