PREFIXES IN ENGLISH
A prefix is a word part that is attached to the beginning of a word that adds its meaning to the meaning of the base word. That is, a prefix changes the meaning of a root by adding its meaning to the root word. For example, adding the prefix tele (meaning “distant” or “far”) to the word marketing creates the word telemarketing, selling goods and services form a distant (in this case, over the telephone), rather than face to face.
Understanding the meanings of the common prefixes can help us deduce the meanings of new words that we encounter instead of using dictionaries. So, would you like to take a small test first? Well, access it here: Prefixes in English Practice test. Otherwise, move on:
Lists of common prefixes in English
| Prefix | Meaning | Example | |
Prefixes that means “no” or “not” |
in-, il-, im-, ir- | not | Insecure, illegal, immoral, irresponsible |
| non- | not | nonviolent, non-poisonous | |
| un- | not | unhappy, unkind | |
| dis- | not, opposite of, undo | displease, disservice, disconnect | |
| mis- | wrong, bad | mistreat, mistake | |
| anti- | against | antivirus, antithesis, anti-war | |
| contra- | against | contradict, contrary | |
Prefixes that relate to time |
ex- | former | ex-boss, ex-spouse |
| post- | after | posttest, posterior | |
| pre- | before | predict, precede | |
| re- | again | repeat, recycle | |
Prefixes that show placement |
ab- | away, away from | absent, abnormal |
| co-, col-, com- | together with | cooperate, colleague, community | |
| de- | down form, away | descend, depart | |
| dis- | away | displace, disappear | |
| ex- | out | exit, export, ecterior | |
| in- | in | inside, interior, inhale | |
| pro- | forward, ahead | progress, promote | |
| re- | back | return, revert, report | |
| tele- | far, distant | television, telepathy | |
| trans- | across | transport, transfer | |
Prefixes that indicate how many or how much |
extra- | beyond, outside | extraordinary, extracurricular, |
| micro- | small | microscope, micro-organisms | |
| semi- | half | semiconscious, semi-formal | |
| super- | over, above | supervisor, superlative | |
Prefixes that show number of quantity |
uni-, | one | united, uniform, |
| dec-, deci- | ten | decimal, decade, decimate | |
| cent- | hundred | century, cent | |
| mill-, kilo- | thousand | millennium, kilowatts |
Remember that just because a word begins with the same letters as a prefix, it does not necessarily contain a prefix. The prefix pre means “before”, as in predict and prehistoric. However, the word “pressure” also begins with the letters “pre”, but it has no connection with the prefix pre.
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Reference:
- ”New worlds” – Mc Graw Hill, 2000
Edited by Organizing Department
