What is a prefix? Prefixes found in the English language modify words. They have transformative qualities that can shape a word in many different ways. Some prefixes even have the power to completely subvert the meaning of the root word.
Prefix
What is a Prefix?
A prefix consists of one or more letters placed at the beginning of a stem word. Prefixes provide an easy way to create new words. Adding prefixes to words recognized by the literate public makes the spelling and meanings of new words easier to understand. Once you understand common prefixes you can logically and consistently use them to create a variety of new words.
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.
For instance, you can apply the prefix de- to negate the original word. The prefix de- means to undo something. When applied to the root word the new word’s meaning becomes opposite. For example, adding de- before value creates the word devalue. Value and devalue are terms with opposite meanings.
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
Negative Prefixes
Many different prefixes exist to negate completely or in part the base word. These prefixes along with some example words appear below.
- anti (anti-establishment, antidote, anticlimactic)
- contra (contraindicated, contradict)
- a or an (amoral, atheist, anemic)
- non (noncorporeal, nondescript, nonfiction)
- ir/il/in (irregular, illegal, infertile)
Common Prefixes
Several prefixes can be found through the English Language. Each prefix has its own meaning. Below are commonly used prefixes and example words.
- ex (ex, extend, exhale)
- extra (extracurricular, extra-fine,extramarital)
- homo (Homosapien, homogenous, homosexual)
- hetero (heterogenous, heterosexual, heterodoxy)
- mis (misdirect, misassociate, misunderstood)
- mid (midsummer, midnight, midway)
- micro (microcosm, microphone, microaggression)
- pre (preamble, prerequisite, prescreen)
- uni (unicycle, universal, unilateral)
- tri (triangle, tripod, tricycle)
- super (superfood, superstar, supernatural, superimpose)
Prefix Meanings: ex; out, extra; beyond, homo; same, hetero; different, mis; incorrect, mid; middle, mico; small, and pre; before.
Prefix examples
List of common suffixes in English with examples.
Prefixes
Why Learn Prefixes
Learning prefixes and their meanings help students break down vocabulary words into smaller parts. By doing this, words become easier to digest and their meanings become clearer. Also, learning prefixes helps make learning new words easier.
List of Prefixes
Learn prefix list with meanings and 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
Learn more: Prefix de-
Prefix dis-
- Meaning: Opposite of, not
- Prefix examples: Disagree, disappear, disintegrate, disapprove
Explore more: Prefix dis-
Prefix em-, en-
- Meaning: Cause to, put into
- Examples: Embrace, encode, embed, enclose, engulf
Prefix list and prefix examples
Prefix epi-
- Meaning: Upon, close to, after
- Examples: epilogue, epitaph
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
Prefix examples
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: Forward
- Examples: Proceed, prowar, promote, propose, progress
List of prefixes
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
Prefixes (with Meanings and Examples) | Infographics
Useful List of Prefixes in English | Image 1
Useful Prefix List in English | Image 2
