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The EM and EN Prefixes

Prefix Meaning
em, en to cause to

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Pronunciation tips: EN and EM are pronounced with a short E sound, the E sound in met.
These prefixes are usually not stressed with verbs. They are often stressed with nouns.

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Word Pronunciation Part of Speech Word Parts Literal Meaning Modern Definition
embark em-BARK verb em + bark to start by boat (bark) to start
embellish em-BEL-ish verb em + bel + ish to make beautiful (bel) to beautify, adorn; to add exaggerations to an argument
emphasis* EM-fu-sis noun em + phasis
from french word phainein--show		 to cause to show stress or importance given to a particular matter
empower em-POU-wer verb em + power to cause to have power to give authority or power to
enable en-A-bul verb en + able to cause to be able to make able
encounter en-COUN-ter verb or noun en + counter
from word contra--against		 to cause to to meet, especially unexpectedly; to meet a person in a conflict situation; noun: the unexpected or confrontational meeting
energy EN-er-jee noun en + ergy
from word ergon--to work		 to cause to work the capacity for activity; the amount of power
enlighten en-LI-ten verb en + light + en to cause to have light to give instruction, to give light to the intellect or spirit
enthusiasm** en-THU-zee-a-zum noun en + thus + iasm
thus from word--theos		 inspired excited interest
* The verb form of this word is emphasize. The stress is on the first syllable for the verb too.
** The adjective enthusiastic is also used frequently. The stress is on the 4th syllable in this word.


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