Biology Prefixes and Suffixes -Phile, -Philic

The suffix -phile  comes from the Greek philos,  which means to love. Words that end with (-phile) refer to someone or something that loves or has a fondness of, attraction to, or affection for something. It also means to have a tendency toward something. Related terms include (-philic),(-philia), and (-philo). Words Ending With  (-Phile) Acidophile (acido-phile): Organisms that thrive in acidic environments are called acidophiles. They include some bacteria, archaeans, and fungi. Alkaliphile (alkali-phile): Alkaliphiles are organisms that thrive in alkaline environments with a pH above 9. They live in habitats such as carbonate-rich soils and alkaline lakes. Barophile (baro-phile): Barophiles are organisms that live in high-pressure habitats, such as deep-sea environments. Electrophile (electro-phile): An electrophile is a compound that is attracted to and accepts electrons in a chemical reaction. Extremophile (extremo-phile): An organism that lives and thrives in extreme environments is known as an extremophile. Such habitats include volcanic, salty, or deep-sea environments. Halophile (halo-phile): A haloophile is an organism that thrives in environments with high salt concentrations, such as salt lakes. Pedophile (pedo-phile):  A pedophile is an individual who has an abnormal attraction to or affection for children. Psychrophile (psychro-phile): An organism that thrives in very cold or frozen environments is a psychrophile. They live in polar regions and deep sea habitats. Xenophile (xeno-phile):  A xenophile is one who is attracted to all things foreign including people, languages, and cultures. Zoophile (zoo-phile):  An individual who loves animals is a zoophile.  This term can also refer to people who have an abnormal sexual attraction to animals. Words Ending With  (-Philia) Acrophilia (acro-philia): Acrophilia is a love of heights or elevated regions. Algophilia (algo-philia): Algophilia is a love of pain. Autophilia (auto-philia): Autophilia is a narcissistic type of self-love. Basophilia (baso-philia): Basophilia describes cells or cell components that are attracted to basic dyes. White blood cells called basophils are examples of this type of cell. Basophilia also describes a blood condition in which there is an increase in basophils in circulation. Hemophilia (hemo-philia):  Hemophilia is a sex-linked blood disorder characterized by excessive bleeding due to a defect in a blood clotting factor. A person with hemophilia has a tendency toward bleeding uncontrollably. Necrophilia (necro-philia): This term refers to having an abnormal fondness of or attraction to dead bodies. Spasmophilia (spasmo-philia):  This nervous system condition involves motor neurons that are overly sensitive and induce convulsions or spasms. Words Ending With  (-Philic) Aerophilic (aero-philic): Aerophilic organisms depend on oxygen or air for survival. Eosinophilic (eosino-philic): Cells or tissues that are readily stained with eosin dye are called eosinophilic. White blood cells called eosinophils are examples of eosinophilic cells. Hemophilic (hemo-philic): This term refers to organisms, particularly bacteria, that have an affinity for red blood cells and grow well in blood cultures. It also refers to individuals with hemophilia. Hydrophilic (hydro-philic): This term describes a substance that has a strong attraction to or affinity for water. Oleophilic (oleo-philic): Substances that have a strong affinity for oil are called oleophilic. Oxyphilic (oxy-philic): This term describes cells or tissues that have an affinity for acid dyes. Photophilic (photo-philic): Organisms that are attracted to and thrive in light are known as photophilic organisms. Thermophilic (thermo-philic): Thermophilic organisms are those that live and thrive in hot environments.