Prefixes are a syllable, or group of syllables, added to the beginning of a word to alter its meaning. Prefixes help to add complexity to the English language and make it possible to create new words that are easily understood by speakers everywhere. Understanding a few prefix examples will help you to apply logic to new words and decode them appropriately.
For example, consider the prefix de-. This prefix means to undo something and is usually attached to a verb. Thus, you can take the verb activate, which means to put something to use, and change it to deactivate, which means to take something out of use. Likewise, adding de- to other verbs reverses their original meaning, as in decompose and devalue.
Prefixes That Negate
Several prefixes serve to make the new word mean the opposite, or nearly the opposite, of the original meaning of the base word. For example:
-
a-/an-
Meaning: without, lacking
Examples: amoral, Anabaptist, anonymous
-
anti-
Meaning: against, opposing
Examples: antidote, antipathy, antibiotic
-
contra-
Meaning: against, opposing
Examples: contradict, contraindicated, contrarian
-
de-
Meaning: reverse, undo
Examples: deactivate, degrade, de-icer
-
dis-
Meaning: removal, apart from
Examples: disagree, disapprove, disconnect
-
il-/im-/in-/ir-
Meaning: not, without
Examples: illegal, impermeable, injustice, irreversible
-
non-
Meaning: not, without
Examples: nonexistent, nonfiction, non-negotiable,
-
un-
Meaning: not, opposite
Examples: unkind, unresponsive, unruly
Other Common Prefixes
There are many prefixes that don't negate the original meaning of the root word, but rather alter it in unique ways, such as expressing relationships of time, place or manner.
ante-
Meaning: before
Examples: antebellum, antediluvian, anterior
auto-
Meaning: self
Examples: autobiography, autograph, automobile
circum-
Meaning: around
Examples: circumnavigate, circumscribe, circumvent
co-/com-/con-
Meaning: with, together
Examples: coexist, commiserate, contact
en-
Meaning: put into, surround
Examples: encase, endow, envelope
ex-/exo-
Meaning: out
Examples: exhale, extend, exoskeleton
extra-
Meaning: beyond
Examples: extracurricular, extraterrestrial, extravert
hetero-
Meaning: different
Examples: heterogeneous, heterosexual
homo-
Meaning: same
Examples: homogenize, homophone, homosexual
hyper-
Meaning: extreme
Examples: hyperactive, hyperspace, hypertension,
inter-
Meaning: between
Examples: interactive, intersect, interstate
mega-
Meaning: large
Examples: megaphone, megaton
micro-
Meaning: small
Examples: microcosm, microphone, microscope
mid-
Meaning: middle
Examples: midnight, midseason, midterm
mis-
Meaning: incorrect
Examples: misappropriate, misunderstand, misuse
mono-
Meaning: one
Examples: monogamous, monotone
over-
Meaning: too much
Examples: overcook, overdone, overwrought
post-
Meaning: after
Examples: postdate, postscript, post-war
pre-
Meaning: before
Examples: prefix, preliminary, preschool
re-
Meaning: again
Examples: reconsider, re-evaluate, rewrite
semi-
Meaning: half, partial
Examples: semiconductor, semester, semi-retired
sub-
Meaning: below
Examples: subjugate, submarine, sub-par
trans-
Meaning: across, change
Examples: transport, transgender, translate
Creating New Words
Remember that some prefixes can share a meaning, such as -il, -in, -im and -ir, and that you do not generally hyphenate a prefix unless it's attached to a proper noun. Once you have mastered these prefixes, it's much easier to figure out the meaning of new words when you come across them.
You'll also want to study English suffixes, as adding these to the ends of words can further alter the meaning and allow for even more creativity and interest in the language.
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By YourDictionary
Prefixes are a syllable, or group of syllables, added to the beginning of a word to alter its meaning. Prefixes help to add complexity to the English language and make it possible to create new words that are easily understood by speakers everywhere. Understanding a few prefix examples will help you to apply logic to new words and decode them appropriately.For example, consider the prefix de-. This prefix means to undo something and is usually attached to a verb. Thus, you can take the verb activate, which means to put something to use, and change it to deactivate, which means to take something out of use. Likewise, adding de- to other verbs reverses their original meaning, as in decompose and devalue.
