para-

See also: Appendix:Variations of "para"

English

Alternative forms

• par- (prevocalically)

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpæɹə/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈpɛɹə/
• Hyphenation: par‧a-

Etymology 1

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *per-

Proto-Indo-European *preh₂-

Proto-Hellenic *pərai

Ancient Greek πᾰρᾰ́ (părắ)

Ancient Greek πᾰρᾰ- (pără-)der.

English para-

From Ancient Greek παρα- (para-, “beside, next to”).

Prefix

para-

1. beside, alongside

   ‎para- → ‎parallel

   ‎para- → ‎parasite

   1. parallel

      ‎para- + ‎conformity → ‎paraconformity

      ‎para- + ‎axial → ‎paraxial

2. between

   Synonyms: dia-, inter-

   Synonyms: cellular, paracellular

   Synonyms: conule, paraconule

3. around, surrounding

   Synonyms: circum-, peri-

   ‎para- + ‎cortex → ‎paracortex

   ‎para- + ‎diapophysis → ‎paradiapophysis

   1. covering

      ‎para- + ‎colpitis → ‎paracolpitis

4. adjacent, next to

   Synonym: juxta-

   ‎para- + ‎central → ‎paracentral

   ‎para- + ‎caval → ‎paracaval

5. near

   Synonyms: juxta-, peri-

   ‎para- + ‎anal → ‎paranal

   ‎para- + ‎epididymis → ‎parepididymis

   ‎para- + ‎ethmoid → ‎parethmoid

6. opposite of, on the far side of

   Synonym: trans-

   ‎para- + ‎cavernous → ‎paracavernous

7. above, over

   Synonyms: epi-, hyper-, super-, supra-

   ‎para- + ‎ductal → ‎paraductal

   ‎para- + ‎coronoid → ‎paracoronoid

   ‎para- + ‎condylar → ‎paracondylar

8. across, through, throughout

   Synonyms: dia-, per-, trans-

   ‎para- + ‎cerebral → ‎paracerebral

   ‎para- + ‎cloacal → ‎paracloacal

   ‎para- + ‎cotylar → ‎paracotylar

   ‎para- + ‎coastal → ‎paracoastal

   ‎para- + ‎esophageal → ‎paraesophageal

9. beyond

   ‎para- → ‎paradox (literally “beyond expectation”)

   ‎para- + ‎normal → ‎paranormal

   ‎para- + ‎clival → ‎paraclival

10. abnormal

    ‎para- + ‎algesia → ‎paralgesia

11. incorrect

    Synonyms: mis-, mal-

12. false

    Synonyms: mis-, pseudo-

    ‎para- + ‎diorthosis → ‎paradiorthosis

13. resembling

    Synonyms: quasi-; -esque, -form, -ish, -ly, -oid, -some, -y

    ‎para- + ‎amylum → ‎paraamylum

    ‎para- + ‎military → ‎paramilitary

14. unrecognized, unauthorized, or unsanctioned

    ‎para- + ‎state → ‎parastate

    ‎para- + ‎baptism → ‎parabaptism

15. avoiding or avoidant

    ‎para- + ‎enteral → ‎parenteral

    ‎para- + ‎consistent → ‎paraconsistent

16. (organic chemistry) In isomeric benzene derivatives, having the two substituents in opposite (1,4) positions (compare ortho- and meta-)

    Synonym: p-

17. related or pertaining to

    ‎para- + ‎bicanonical → ‎parabicanonical

    ‎para- + ‎bigeminal → ‎parabigeminal

    ‎para- + ‎clinical → ‎paraclinical

    ‎para- + ‎complex → ‎paracomplex

18. affecting or concerning lower body

    ‎para- + ‎anesthesia → ‎paranesthesia

    ‎para- + ‎ballism → ‎paraballism

Derived terms

Related terms

terms derived from παρά (beside, abnormal, resembling, chem.)

• P-
• parabola
• paradigm
• paradox
• parallel
• parallelogram
• paramedic
• paramilitary
• parasite
• paratext
• paravirtualization

terms derived from παρά (above, beyond)

• parabiology
• paranormal
• parapsychology

Translations

above, beyond

• Galician: para-
• German: para- (de)
• Greek: παρα- (el) (para-)
• Japanese: 超 (ja) (ちょう, chō)
• Korean: 초(超)- (cho-)
• Persian: پیرا (fa) (pirâ-)
• Polish: ponad-
• Spanish: para- (es)

having substituents on benzene rings on opposite carbon atoms

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 對 / 对 (zh) (duì)

• Czech: para- (cs)
• Danish: para-
• Polish: para- (pl)

Etymology 2

From French para-, from Italian para-, from para, imperative of parare (“to defend, shield, shroud”), from Latin parō (“to prepare”).

Prefix

para-

1. (obsolete, not productive) to guard against, to avert, to shield from; to provide protection against, defence from

Derived terms

• para-bore (jest, nonce word), protection against bores
• paragrandine
• paravane

Related terms

terms related to para-, but not formed in English

• parachute
• parados
• paragrele
• parapet
• parasol
• paravent

Etymology 3

From parachute.

Prefix

para-

1. Parachute

   ‎para- + ‎skiing → ‎paraskiing

Derived terms

terms derived from para- (parachute)

• parabrake
• paracord
• paradiver
• paradoctor
• paradrop
• parafoil
• parafrag bomb
• paraglider
• parajump
• parajute
• parakiting
• parapants
• paraplane
• parasheet
• paraski
• paraspotter
• paratrooper

Etymology 4

From Paralympic.

Prefix

para-

1. disability sport

Derived terms

Paralympic sport

• para-archery
• para-athlete, parathlete
• paracanoe, para-canoe
• paracycling, para-cycling
• Paralympian, Paralympiad, Paralympics, Paralympic Games
• paraskiing, para nordic skiing
• parasport, parasports, para-sport, para-sports
• paratriathlon

See also

English terms prefixed with para-

paracetaldehyde

paracmastic

paraconic acid

paracrostic

paracusis

paradamite

paraesthesia

paræsthesia

paraesthesis

paræsthesis

paragnosia

paralbumin

para-alpine

para alpine skiing

paraminophenol

paramnesia

paramyl

paraamyloidosis

paramylum

paranthelion

paranthracene

paraaortal

paraaortic

parapophysis

pararabin

para-archery

pararsenolamprite

paraarterial

pararthria

paraarticular

para-astronaut

paratacamite

para-athlete

para-athletics

parautochthonous

para-badminton

paraballism

parabaptist

parabasal

parabasisphenoid

parabenzoquinone

parabicanonical

parabigeminal

parabiologist

parabiology

parabiont

parabiosis

parabiotic

parabiotically

parablast

parabomb

parabombing

paraboson

parabosonic

parabotanist

parabotulism

parabrachial

parabrake

parabranchia

parabranchial

parabrandtite

parabronchial

parabronchitis

parabronchium

parabronchus

parabuccal

parabulbar

parabullary

parabuntal

parabutlerite

paracaecal

paracalcarine

paracallosal

paracallus

paracancerous

paracanoe

paracanonical

paracapsular

paracarcinoma

paracarcinomatous

paracardiac

paracardial

paracarmine

paracarpel

paracasein

paracaseinate

paracaspase

paracaval

paracavernous

paracavitary

paracellular

paracellulose

paracelsian

paracentesis

paracentral

paracentrally

paracentric

paracentromeric

paracephalodium

paracerebellar

paracerebral

paracervical

paracervix

paracharmonium

parachloralose

parachlorophenylalanine

parachoanal

parachordal

parachromatin

parachromatism

parachromatopsia

parachronic

parachronistic

parachrysotile

parachurch

paracicatricial

paracingular

paracingulate

paracingulin

paraclade

paracleavage

paraclimactic

paraclimax

paraclinical

paraclinically

paraclinoid

paraclival

paracloacal

paraclone

paracoccygeal

paracodeine

paracolic

paracolonial

paracolonialism

paracolpitis

paracommissural

para-communism

paracompact

paracomplete

paracomplex

paracomposition

paraconal

paraconductivity

paracondylar

paracone

paraconformable

paraconformity

paraconglomerate

paraconid

paraconine

paraconsistency

paraconsistent

paracontact

paracontrast

paracontrolled

paraconule

paracoprid

paracopulatory

paracoquimbite

paracord

paracorolla

paracoronoid

paracorporeal

paracortex

paracortical

paracosm

paracosmos

paracostal

paracotylar

paracoxite

paracranial

paracranially

paracranium

paracresol

paracristid

paracrocodylomorph

paracrystal

paracrystalline

paracrystallinity

paracultural

paracyanogen

paracycling

paracyclist

cycloparaphenylene

paracyclophane

paracymbium

paracymene

paracyst

paracystitis

paracytic

paradactylum

paradata

paradental

paradentary

paradermal

paradiapause

paradiapophyseal

paradiapophysis

paradichlorobenzene

paradifferential

Anagrams

• paar, Raap, ARPA, apar, ARAP, Rapa, AARP, Paar, APAR

Central Bikol

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /paɾa/ [pa.ɾa]
• Hyphenation: pa‧ra

Prefix

para- (Basahan spelling ᜉᜍ)

1. used in naming any professions

Danish

Etymology

From Ancient Greek παρα- (para-, “beside, next to”).

Prefix

para-

1. para-

Derived terms

Danish terms prefixed with para-

paragraf

paramilitær

References

• “para-” in Den Danske Ordbog

Finnish

Etymology

Internationalism, ultimately from Ancient Greek παρα- (para-, “beside, next to”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɑrɑ-/, [ˈpɑ̝rɑ̝-]

Prefix

para-

1. (chiefly in loanwords) para-

Derived terms

Finnish terms prefixed with para-

parainfluenssavirus

parajoukkue

parakieli

parakonsistentti

paralingvistiikka

paranormaalinen

paraoranssi

parasympaattinen

parasympatolyytti

parasympatomimeetti

paraurheilija

paravety

parayleisurheilu

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pa.ʁa/

Etymology 1

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek παρα- (para-, “beside”).

Prefix

para-

1. para-

Derived terms

• para-hockey sur glace

Etymology 2

Via Italian para-, from parare, from Latin parō (“to shield”).

Prefix

para-

1. para- (“guarding against”)

   Synonyms: garde, pare-

Etymology 3

From paralympique (“Paralympic”).

Prefix

para-

1. para- (“disability sport”)

Derived terms

• paracyclisme
• paranatation

German

Alternative forms

• par- (before a vowel)

Etymology

From Ancient Greek παρα- (para-, “beside, next to”), from παρά (pará).

Pronunciation

• Audio (Germany (Berlin)):

  (file)

Prefix

para-

1. para-

Derived terms

German terms prefixed with para-

Parahelium

Parahidrose

paralinguistisch

paramilitärisch

Paraphimose

parapsychisch

parasozial

Further reading

• “para-”, in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache‎^[1] (in German)
• “para-” in Duden online

Ido

Etymology

Borrowed from English para-, French para-, Italian para-, Spanish para-. Decision no. 105, Progreso III.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpara/

Prefix

para-

1. denotes protection against, something to ward off

   ‎para- + ‎pluvo (“rain”) → ‎parapluvo (“umbrella”)

   ‎para- + ‎moskito (“mosquito”) → ‎paramoskito (“mosquito net”)

Derived terms

Ido terms prefixed with para-

parafalo

parapluvo

parasuno

References

• Progreso III (in Ido), 1910–1911, page 169, 465

Indonesian

Pronunciation

• (Standard Indonesian) IPA^(key): /para/ [pa.ra]
• Syllabification: pa‧ra-
• Homophone: para

Etymology 1

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek παρα- (para-, “beside, next to”).

Prefix

para-

1. para-
   1. beside, alongside
   2. adjacent, next to
   3. near
   4. opposite of, on the far side of
   5. above, over
   6. across, through, throughout
   7. abnormal

Etymology 2

From Paralympic.

Prefix

para-

1. para- (“disability sport”)

Derived terms

Indonesian terms prefixed with para-

paralayang

Further reading

• “para-”, in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia [Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language] (in Indonesian), Jakarta: Agency for Language Development and Cultivation – Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, 2016

Interlingua

Etymology

From English para-, Spanish para-, French para- and Italian para-, all from Ancient Greek πᾰρᾰ- (pără-).

Prefix

para-

1. para-

Irish

Alternative forms

• parai- (before a slender consonant)

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek παρα- (para-).

Prefix

para-

1. para-

Derived terms

Irish terms prefixed with para-

paraigineas

paramorfacht

parathagra

Mutation

Mutated forms of para-

radical	lenition	eclipsis
para-	phara-	bpara-

Note: Certain mutated forms of some words can never occur in standard Modern Irish.
All possible mutated forms are displayed for convenience.

Further reading

• Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977), “para(i)-”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla [Irish–English Dictionary], Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN

Italian

Etymology

From Ancient Greek παρα- (para-).

Prefix

para-

1. para-

Anagrams

• apar, apra, arpa, rapa

Polish

Etymology

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *per-

Proto-Indo-European *preh₂-

Proto-Hellenic *pərai

Ancient Greek πᾰρᾰ́ (părắ)

Ancient Greek παρα- (para-)lbor.

Polish para-

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek παρα- (para-).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pa.ra/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ara
• Syllabification: pa‧ra-
• Homophones: para, Para

Prefix

para-

1. para- (resembling)

Derived terms

Polish terms prefixed with para-

paradokument

paralotnia

paranormalny

Further reading

• “para-”, in Polish dictionaries at PWN‎^[2] (in Polish)

Portuguese

Etymology

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *per-

Proto-Indo-European *preh₂-

Proto-Hellenic *pərai

Ancient Greek πᾰρᾰ́ (părắ)

Ancient Greek παρα- (para-)lbor.

Portuguese para-

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek παρα- (para-).

Pronunciation

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /pa.ɾa/

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /pɐ.ɾɐ/

• Hyphenation: pa‧ra-

Prefix

para-

1. para-

Derived terms

Portuguese terms prefixed with para-

paratleta

parabadminton

parafuso

paramagnético

paramilitar

paranormal

Paraolimpíadas

parapolicial

parassocial

Further reading

• “para-”, in Dicionário Infopédia da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese), Porto: Porto Editora, 2003–2026

Serbo-Croatian

Etymology

From Ancient Greek παρα- (para-).

Prefix

para- (Cyrillic spelling пара-)

1. para-

   ‎para- + ‎nàuka (“science”) → ‎paranauka (“parascience”)

   ‎para- + ‎nȍrmālno (“normally”) → ‎paranormalno (“paranormal”)

Spanish

Etymology

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *per-

Proto-Indo-European *preh₂-

Proto-Hellenic *pərai

Ancient Greek πᾰρᾰ́ (părắ)

Ancient Greek παρα- (para-)lbor.

Spanish para-

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek παρα- (para-).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /paɾa/ [pa.ɾa]
• Syllabification: pa‧ra-

Prefix

para-

1. para-

Derived terms

Spanish terms prefixed with para-

parabiosis

paraestatal

paralenguaje

paramagnético

paramilitar

paranasal

paranormal

paraolfatorio

parapetrolero

parapolicía

parapolicial

pararrenal

parasimpático

parasintético

parasuicida

parasuicidio

paraterminal

paratión

paratraqueal

paraumbilical

Further reading

• “para-”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), online version 23.8.1, Royal Spanish Academy [Spanish: Real Academia Española], 15 December 2025

Welsh

Etymology

See English para-, from Ancient Greek παρα- (para-).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌpara/

Prefix

para-

1. para-

   ‎para- + ‎meddyg (“medic, doctor”) → ‎parafeddyg (“paramedic”)

   ‎para- + ‎normal (“normal”) → ‎paranormal (“paranormal”)

   ‎para- + ‎ymatebol (“responsive, reactive”) → ‎paraymatebol (“parasympathetic”)

Derived terms

Welsh terms prefixed with para-

parafeddyg

paraseicoleg

Mutation

Mutated forms of para-

radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
para-	bara-	mhara-	phara-

Note: Certain mutated forms of some words can never occur in standard Welsh.
All possible mutated forms are displayed for convenience.

References

R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke, et al., editors (1950–present), “para-”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies