Prefix is a word part added in front of a base word to change the meaning. In this lesson, you will learn a list of 50+ common prefixes in English.
Contents
Prefixes | Video
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.
Prefix List
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
Thanks this. Helped me
This is GREAT! Thanks.
This
?
If I could print this as a single list (no ads) I could use it for Scrabble.
yeah
I just wanted to ask that what would be a prefix for interesting???
disinteresting duh
Uninteresting actually.
in
Thanks this I am learned about prefix
* Thanks, this helped me learn about prefixes.
this helped me THANKS
* This helped me. THANKS.
Am I the only one who sees that there is only 49 prefixes?
How does it matter that it is 49 and not 50
this helped YAYEET YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks you
I never knew there were as many prefixes
There are even a lot more of them
thank you for the list of prefixes aah its really pretty
It’s not pretty, its helpful
aah uurehy it helps a lot thank guys
It was really helpful and it helped me find a solution to my problem. THANKS
🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈
i need a prefix for the word walk
it reminded me of the umbra and the penumbra of all the shadows in the world…
Hello,
Is there a prefix for “added to?” When a “modifying” letter is left off a hebrew word it is said to be defective. Other times, a modifying letter is added. I would like a better prefix than supra for this, (than suprafective). Something that would indicate “added to” but not necessarily focus on improvement. As, “When they tore down the two story home we sold in Tokyo, it was replaced by a suprafective three story, three family building.” I will go with suprafective in the meantime.
If you are applying for job, then employer asked,what is your prefix how do respond
Super
hi pop
very helpful
It’s very good, thank you!
not really just a few words
Super
it is not that help at all
two word that is bac and basi was not on it
if anyone know what the prefixes is for bac and basi.