Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

deca-

/dɛkə-/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.53 in modern English

Syllables: de-ca-
IPA: /dɛkə-/

7

Scrabble Score

4

Letters

3

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

prefix

prefix

In the metric system, multiplying the unit to which it is attached by ten. Symbol: da

Example Sentences

"deca- + -gon → decagon"

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *déḱm̥ Proto-Hellenic *dékə Ancient Greek δέκᾰ (dékă) Ancient Greek -ᾰ́ς (-ắs) Ancient Greek δεκάς (dekás)der. Late Latin decasder. French déca-bor. English deca- Borrowed from French déca-, from Late Latin decas (“(set of) ten”), from Ancient Greek δεκάς (dekás), from δέκα (déka, “ten”).

Origin

Source language: Ancient Greek

Word Breakdown

Root: decas, δεκάς

Frequently Paired Words

number dec-//dek- deka-

Synonyms

decem-//deci-

Questions

How do you pronounce deca-?: The recorded pronunciation is /dɛkə-/.
What does deca- mean?: Ten.
Where does deca- come from?: It is traced to Ancient Greek.

How to pronounce deca-

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “deca-”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/dɛkə-/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “deca-”.
Repeat and practice — Say “deca-” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.