amphi-

US/ˈæm.fi/US/ˈæm.fɪ/

prefix

Located on the opposite side of, or referring to two distinct sides or ends of a region or object.

“amphidisc”

OriginAncient Greek ἀμφίς (amphís) ← Proto-Indo-European *h₂m̥bʰi →
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Meanings

prefix
  1. Located on the opposite side of, or referring to two distinct sides or ends of a region or object.

    amphidisc

    3 more examples

    amphicontinental

    amphitropical

    amphicrania

  2. Either, both; having two distinct properties and able to function as either.

    amphiphobic

    2 more examples

    amphinucleolus

    amphithallic

  3. Merging two forms, and/or the fusion or inheritance that results from the combination.

    amphisome

    2 more examples

    amphimixis

    amphidiploid

  4. Surrounding, around, encircling.

    amphiphyte

    2 more examples

    amphicribral

    amphigynous

  5. Intermediate between two properties or characteristics.

    amphilogy

    2 more examples

    amphiarthrosis

    amphigamous

  6. Happening in two stages.

    amphibiotic

    1 more example

    amphidromous

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*h₂ent-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*h₂énts?
  3. Proto-Indo-European*h₂m̥bʰi
  4. Ancient Greekἀμφίς (amphís)
  5. Englishamphi-

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek ἀμφίς (amphís), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂m̥bʰi (“round about, around”), possibly from *h₂énts, from *h₂ent- (“face, forehead; front”) + *-s. Doublet of ambi-.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Indonesian amfi-
  • amfi-both
Irish amfa-
  • amfa-both
Italian anfi-
  • anfi-both
Polish amfi-
  • amfi-both
Portuguese anfi-
  • anfi-both
Swedish amfi-
  • amfi-both
Cite this entry
APA

amphi-. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amphi-

MLA

“amphi-.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amphi-. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “amphi-,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amphi-.

Source: amphi- on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.