Prefixes: List of 50+ Common Prefixes in English

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.

Contents

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.