PREFIX: 35+ Common Prefixes with Meaning and Examples

Prefixes in English! Learn useful list of common prefixes in English with definition and examples to help you understand hundreds of new words. Learn prefix list with ESL printable worksheets and video lesson.

List of common suffixes in English with examples. 

What is a Prefix? Prefix Examples

What is a prefix? learn prefix definition with examples.

Prefix definition:

In English, a prefix is a letter/a group of letters attached to the beginning of a word to form a new word. In simple words, a prefix is a few letters put at the beginning of a word to change its meaning.

A prefix is a type of affix which is attached to the start of the root word. There are many different prefixes that are extremely common within the English language.

Prefix examples: 

• Un: unicycle, universal, unilateral, unanimous
• Tri: triangle, tripod, tricycle
• Super: superfood, superstar, supernatural, superimpose.

Prefix list and prefix examples – Image 1

Prefixes in English

List of Prefixes with Examples

Learn prefix list with examples in English.

Prefix ante-

• Meaning: Before
• Examples: Antenatal, anteroom, antedate

Prefix anti-

• Meaning: Against, opposing
• Prefix examples: Antibiotic, antidepressant, antidote, antisocial

Prefix circum-

• Meaning: Around
• Examples: Circumstance, circumvent, circumnavigate

Prefix co-

• Meaning: With
• Examples: Co-worker, co-pilot, co-operation

Prefix de-

• Meaning: Off, down, away from
• Examples: Devalue, defrost, derail, demotivate

Prefix dis-

• Meaning: Opposite of, not
• Prefix examples: Disagree, disappear, disintegrate, disapprove

Prefix em-, en-

• Meaning: Cause to, put into
• Examples: Embrace, encode, embed, enclose, engulf

Prefix list and prefix examples – Image 2

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Prefix epi-

• Meaning: Upon, close to, after
• Examples: Epicentre, episcope, epidermis

Prefix ex-

• Meaning: Former, out of
• Examples: Ex-president, ex-boyfriend, exterminate

Prefix extra-

• Meaning: Beyond, more than
• Prefix examples: Extracurricular, extraordinary, extra-terrestrial

Prefix fore-

• Meaning: Before
• Examples: Forecast, forehead, foresee, foreword, foremost

Prefix homo-

• Meaning: Same
• Examples: Homosexual, homonuclear, homoplastic

Prefix hyper-

• Meaning: Over, above
• Examples: Hyperactive, hyperventilate

Prefix il-, im-, in-, ir-

• Meaning: Not
• Prefix examples: Impossible, illegal, irresponsible, indefinite

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Prefix im-, in-

• Meaning: Into
• Examples: Insert, import, inside

Prefix infra-

• Meaning: Beneath, below
• Prefix examples: Infrastructure, infrared, infrasonic, infraspecific

Prefix inter-, intra-

• Meaning: Between
• Examples: Interact, intermediate, intergalactic, intranet, interstellar

Prefix macro-

• Meaning: Large
• Examples: Macroeconomics, macromolecule

Prefix micro-

• Meaning: Small
• Prefix examples: Microscope, microbiology, microfilm, microwave

Prefix mid-

• Meaning: Middle
• Examples: Midfielder, midway, midsummer

Prefix mis-

• Meaning: Wrongly
• Examples: Misinterpret, misfire, mistake, misunderstand

Prefix mono-

• Meaning: One, singular
• Examples: Monotone, monobrow, monolithic

Prefix non-

• Meaning: Not, without
• Examples: Nonsense, nonentity, nondescript

Prefix omni-

• Meaning: All, every
• Examples: Omnibus, omnivore, omnipotent

Prefix para-

• Meaning: Beside
• Prefix examples: Parachute, paramedic, paradox

Prefix post-

• Meaning: After
• Examples: Post-mortem, postpone, post-natal

Prefix pre-

• Meaning: Before
• Examples: Prefix, predetermine, pre-intermediate

Prefix pro-

• Meaning: Foward
• Examples: Proceed, prowar, promote, propose, progress

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Prefix re-

• Meaning: Again
• Examples: Return, rediscover, reiterate, reunite

Prefix semi-

• Meaning: Half
• Prefix examples: Semicircle, semi-final, semiconscious

Prefix sub-

• Meaning: Under
• Examples: Submerge, submarine, sub-category, subtitle

Prefix super-

• Meaning: Above, over
• Examples: Superfood, superstar, supernatural, superimpose

Prefix therm-

• Meaning: Heat
• Examples: Thermometer, thermostat, thermodynamic

Prefix trans-

• Meaning: Across, beyond
• Examples: Transport, transnational, transatlantic

Prefix tri-

• Meaning: Three
• Examples: Triangle, tripod, tricycle

Prefix un-

• Meaning: Not
• Examples: Unfinished, unfriendly, undone, unknown

Prefix uni-

• Meaning: One
• Examples: Unicycle, universal, unilateral, unanimous

Prefix Charts in English

Useful List of Prefixes in English | Image 1

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Useful List of Prefixes in English | Image 2

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Prefixes Video