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What Are Prefixes & Suffixes?

Prefixes and suffixes are letter combinations added to root words to change their meaning or grammatical function. They follow predictable patterns, allowing you to decode unfamiliar words and expand your vocabulary exponentially.

Quick Definitions

Prefix

Added at the BEGINNING of a word to modify its meaning

Example: un- + happy = unhappy

Suffix

Added at the END of a word to change its function or meaning

Example: happy + -ness = happiness

Prefixes: Building Blocks at the Beginning

Learn prefix patterns to unlock word meanings

Negation Prefixes

Beginner

These prefixes add negative meaning to words

un-
Not; opposite of
happy → unhappy
clear → unclear
lucky → unlucky
certain → uncertain
in-, im-, il-, ir-
Not; opposite of (before certain consonants)
correct → incorrect
possible → impossible
legal → illegal
responsible → irresponsible
dis-
Not; opposite of; remove
agree → disagree
honest → dishonest
connect → disconnect
like → dislike
mis-
Wrong; badly
understand → misunderstand
interpret → misinterpret
behavior → misbehavior
spell → misspell
non-
Not; without
fiction → nonfiction
smoking → nonsmoking
toxic → nontoxic
stop → nonstop
a-, an-
Not; without
moral → amoral
typical → atypical
anonymous (an- + onym)
atheist (an- + theist)
Key Pattern
Most negation prefixes express "not" or "opposite of." Choose the one that sounds correct in your language - it often depends on the following letter!

Quantity & Amount Prefixes

Beginner

These prefixes describe amounts, sizes, or numbers

semi-
Half; partly
final → semifinal
circle → semicircle
automatic → semiautomatic
conscious → semiconscious
multi-
Many; multiple
task → multitask
lingual → multilingual
cultural → multicultural
purpose → multipurpose
bi-
Two; twice
cycle → bicycle
annual → biannual
lingual → bilingual
weekly → biweekly
tri-
Three
angle → triangle
athlete → triathlete
cycle → tricycle
monthly → trimonthly
mono-
One; single
chrome → monochrome
logue → monologue
rail → monorail
culture → monoculture
poly-
Many
gon → polygon
glot → polyglot
morphism → polymorphism
gamy → polygamy

Direction & Position Prefixes

Intermediate

These prefixes indicate movement, location, or direction

pre-
Before; prior to
view → preview
school → preschool
historic → prehistoric
arrange → prearrange
post-
After; later
war → postwar
modern → postmodern
date → postdate
script → postscript
over-
Above; too much
look → overlook
work → overwork
size → oversize
heat → overheat
under-
Below; not enough; beneath
ground → underground
stand → understand
wear → underwear
estimate → underestimate
inter-
Between; mutual
act → interact
national → international
personal → interpersonal
connect → interconnect
sub-
Under; below; secondary
marine → submarine
way → subway
conscious → subconscious
title → subtitle

Comparison & Size Prefixes

Intermediate

These prefixes express comparison, size, or degree

micro-
Very small
scope → microscope
wave → microwave
chip → microchip
organism → microorganism
macro-
Large; whole
scope → macroscope
economic → macroeconomic