Inter vs Intra | Meaning & Difference
“Inter” is a prefix meaning “between,” whereas “intra” is a prefix that means “within.”
For example, the word “international” means “relating to or occurring between multiple nations.” On the other hand, “intranational” means “occurring within a single nation.”
The country’s new policies focused on intranational developments.
The congressional hearing addressed both international trade agreements and intranational economic policies.
What does inter mean?
“Inter” is a prefix that means “between.” It modifies the root word by showing that something is occurring or shared among two or more distinct people, groups, or things.
For instance, if your boss assigns you to work on an interdepartmental project, that means you can expect collaboration between colleagues from different departments.
Words that start with inter
The table below contains a few examples of words that start with “inter.”
Word | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|
Interact | To engage with someone or something | The groups of children loved to interact with each other. |
Intercontinental | Taking place between continents | The intercontinental flight took nearly ten hours. |
Interfaith | Relating to different religions | The interfaith organization accepted people from different religions. |
Intergalactic | Relating to or occurring between two or more galaxies | The movie was about an intergalactic space mission. |
Interpersonal | Referring to relationships or communication between people | It’s important to have good interpersonal skills. |
What does intra mean?
“Intra” is a prefix that means “within.” It modifies the root word by demonstrating that something is occurring inside or during something.
So, if your boss asks you to work on an intradepartmental assignment, that means you’ll be working alongside colleagues within your department.
Words that start with intra
The table below contains a few examples of words that start with “intra.”
Meaning | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|
Intracellular | Occurring or situated within a cell | Intracellular communication controls how the cell operates. |
Intramural | Taking place within a single institution or school | Our school held an intramural field day. |
Intracranial | Within the cranium | The accident left him with an intracranial injury. |
Intrastate | Existing or occurring within the boundaries of a state | The taxis only operate on intrastate routes. |
Intravenous | Taking place within or administered into a vein | She received intravenous fluids at the hospital. |
Is a hyphen required for inter and intra?
Typically, a hyphen is not required when using the prefixes “inter” and “intra.”
- We arrived via the inter-state highway.
- We arrived via the interstate highway.
- They decided to go on an intra-state trip.
- They decided to go on an intrastate trip.
However, some style guides have specific guidelines for using hyphens with these prefixes.
For example, the AP Style Guide states that a hyphen is not necessary unless the root word is a proper noun (e.g., “Inter-European”). Additionally, the Chicago Manual of Style advises using a hyphen after “inter” or “intra” to avoid a double “a” or “i” (e.g., “intra-arterial”).
Unless you’re strictly adhering to these style guides, using a hyphen after these prefixes is not necessary.
Frequently asked questions about inter vs intra
- What does inter mean?
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“Inter” is a prefix that means “between” or “among.”
For example, “interdisciplinary” refers to something that combines different academic disciplines (e.g., “I worked on an interdisciplinary project”).
- What does intra mean?
-
“Intra” is a prefix that means “within.” It indicates that something is occurring inside of or during something.
For example, the word “intramural” means “occurring within a single academic institution” (e.g., “I was involved in many intramural sports”).
- Do inter and intra require hyphens?
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No, hyphens are typically not required when using the prefixes “inter” and “intra.”
However, some style guides advise using hyphens in certain instances. For example, the AP Style Guide suggests using a hyphen when the root word is a proper noun (e.g., “inter-American”), and the Chicago Manual of Style recommends including a hyphen to avoid a double “a” or “i” (e.g., “intra-arterial”).