A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a base word to create a new word with a different meaning. In this lesson, you will learn a list of 50+ common prefixes in English to enhance your vocabulary and communication skills.
Prefix
What is a Prefix?
A prefix is an affix which is placed before the stem of a word. Adding it to the beginning of one word changes it into another word.
For example, when the prefix un- is added to the word happy, it creates the word unhappy. Particularly in the study of languages, a prefix is also called a preformative, because it alters the form of the words to which it is affixed.
Prefixes play a significant role in shaping the meaning of words in the English language. They help to convey different shades of meaning and make the language more descriptive and expressive.
Types of Prefixes
Negative Prefixes:
Negative prefixes, such as “un-” or “dis-“, express the opposite or negation of the meaning of the base word. For example, “happy” becomes “unhappy” with the addition of the negative prefix “un-“.
Reversative Prefixes:
Reversative prefixes, such as “un-” or “dis-“, indicate a reversal of action or change of state. For example, “tie” becomes “untie” with the addition of the reversative prefix “un-“.
Dispositive Prefixes:
Dispositive prefixes, such as “de-” or “dis-“, indicate a removal or separation of something. For example, “connect” becomes “disconnect” with the addition of the dispositive prefix “dis-“.
Locative Prefixes:
Locative prefixes, such as “pre-” or “post-“, indicate a location or position in relation to something else. For example, “war” becomes “pre-war” with the addition of the locative prefix “pre-“.
Prefixes (list of 50+ Common Prefixes in English)
1. a, ab, abs
Meaning: Away from
Example: Absent , Abscond
2. ad, a, ac, af, ag, an, ar, at, as
Meaning: To, toward
Example: Adapt , Adhere , Annex, Attract
3. ante
Meaning: Before
Example: Antecedent
4. anti
Meaning: Against
Example: Antifreeze, Antisocial, Antigravity
5. auto
Meaning: Self
Example: Autopilot
6. bi, bis
Meaning: Two
Example: Bicycle, Biannual, Biennial
7. circum, cir
Meaning: Around
Example: Circumscribe, Circle
8. com, con, co,col
Meaning: With, together
Example: Combine, Contact, Collect, Co-worker
9. de
Meaning: away from, down, the opposite of/ undo
Example: Depart, Decline, Derail
10. dis, dif, di
Meaning: Apart
Example: Dislike, Dishonest, Distant
11. epi
Meaning: Upon, on top of
Example: Epitaph, Epilogue
12. equ, equi
Meaning: Equal
Example: Equalize, Equitable
13. ex, e, ef
Meaning: Out, from
Example: Exit, Eject, Exhale
14. extra
Meaning: Beyond
Example: Extraodinary
15. hex
Meaning: Six
Example: Hexadecimal
16. in, il, ig, ir, im
Meaning: Not
Example: Inactive, Ignoble, Irreversible, Irritate
17. in, il, ir, im, en
Meaning: In, into
Example: Inject, Impose
18. infra
Meaning: Below
Example: Infra-red
19. inter
Meaning: Between, among
Example: International, Interpose
20. macro
Meaning: Large, great
Example: Macroeconomics
21. mal, male
Meaning: Bad, ill, wrong
Example: Malpractice, Malfunction
22. mega
Meaning: Large, great
Example: Magabyte
23. micro
Meaning: Very small
Example: Microbiology, Microcomputer, Microscopic
24. mini
Meaning: Small
Example: Minicomputer
25. mis
Meaning: Wrong, badly
Example: Mistreat, Mistake , Misplace
26. mono
Meaning: One, alone, single
Example: Monopoly, Monotone, Monologue, Monosyllable ”
27. multi
Meaning: Many
Example: Multiplexor, Multicoloured
28. non
Meaning: Not, the reverse of
Example: Nonsense, Nonprofit
29. ob
Meaning: In front, against, in front of, in the way of
Example: Obstacle, Obvious, Obviate
30. omni
Meaning: Everywhere, all
Example: Omnipresent, Omnipotent
31. penta
Meaning: Five
Example: Pentagon
32. per
Meaning: Through
Example: Pervade, Perceive
33. peri
Meaning: Around
Example: Peripheral, Periscope
34. poly
Meaning: Many
Example: Polysyllable, Polygon
35. post
Meaning: After / later/ behind
Example: Postpone, Postmortem, Postdate
36. pre
Meaning: Before, earlier than
Example: Preview, Prehistoric, Preface, Prepay
37. prime
Meaning: First
Example: Primary, Primitive
38. pro
Meaning: Forward, going ahead of, supporting
Example: Proceed, Prowar, Promote
39. quad
Meaning: Four
Example: Quadruple
40. re
Meaning: Again, back
Example: Retell, Recall, Recede, Reuse
41. retro
Meaning: Backward
Example: Retrograde, Retroactive
42. se
Meaning: Apart
Example: Secede , Seclude
43. semi
Meaning: Half, partly
Example: Semiconductor
44. sub
Meaning: Under, less than
Example: Submarine, Subway, Subliminal, Subfloor
45. super
Meaning: Over, above, greater
Example: Superstar, Superimpose
46. trans
Meaning: Across
Example: Transcontinental, Transverse
47. tri
Meaning: Three
Example: Triangle
48. un
Meaning: Not
Example: Uninterested, Unhelpful , Unethical
49. un, uni
Meaning: One
Example: Unidirectional, Unanimous, Unilateral, Unpopular
Common misconceptions about Prefixes
- Prefixes can be used independently:
One common misconception is that prefixes can be used independently as separate words. This is not true, as prefixes must be attached to a base word to create a new word with a specific meaning.
- Prefixes can change the meaning of a word completely:
Another common misconception is that prefixes can change the meaning of a word completely. While prefixes can certainly change the meaning of a word, they often only modify or add to the original meaning of the base word, rather than completely replacing it.
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kentrell
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