English Prefixes with Meaning and Examples (PDF)
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A prefix is a part added at the beginning of a word to change its meaning.
For example, think of the word “kind” as a starting word. If we put “un” in front of it, we get “unkind”, which means not kind.
Remember that the part at the beginning of a word is called a prefix. When we use a prefix, it changes the meaning of the word.
Here are some common prefixes in English and what they do.
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
| dis– | not | disappear, displace, disallow,dislike |
| un– | opposite | unable, unhappy, undo, undress |
| hyper– | above | hyperactive, hyperspace, hypersensitive |
| en– | to put into | encrypt, enable, enlighten, enlarge |
| anti- | against | antifreeze, antisocial, antidepressant, anticipate |
| bi– | two | binoculars, bicycle, bisexual |
| post– | after | postmodern, postpone, posterity |
| micro– | small | microscope, microfilm, microbiology |
| co– | with | co-worker, co-operation, co-pilot, coexist |
| super– | above | supernova, supernatural, superstar, supervise |
| sub– | under | submerge, submarine,subscribe, subtitle |
| de– | from | debug, defrost, depart, deport |
| semi– | half | semicircle, semiconscious, semi-final |
| em– | cause to | embrace, embed, empower, embody |
| uni– | one | unicycle, unilateral, universal, uniform |
| fore– | before | foresee, foreword, forecast |
| non– | not | nonsense, non-stop, nonverbal |
| tri– | three | triangle, trilogy, tripod, trio |
| pre– | before | prefix, preview, premade, preload |
| mono– | one | monotone, monolithic, monopoly |
| extra– | more than | extracurricular, extraordinary |
| therm– | heat | thermometer, thermostat |
| circum– | around | circumstance, circumvent |
| trans– | across | transatlantic, transfer, transcribe |
| mis– | wrong | misinform, mislead, misfit, mishear |
| mid– | middle | midlife, midway, midnight, mid-west |
| in– | not | invalid, invisible, incapable, insane, inhuman |
| omni– | all | omnibus, omnipotent, omnivore |
| inter-, intra– | between | interact, intergalactic, intermediate |
| im– | without | impossible, immature, implant, improve |
| homo– | same | homophone, homoplastic |
| macro– | large | macroeconomics, macrofossil |
| para– | beside | paranormal, paradox, paramedic |
| infra– | below | infrastructure, infrasonic, infrared |
| pro– | before | proactive, profess, produce |
| re– | again | recall, recycle, recover, redo, reaction |
| mal– | bad | malfunction, malicious |
| per– | completely | percent, perfect, percussion |
| ex– | out of | ex-center, ex-husband, exclusive |
Most Common Prefixes
