Popular English Prefixes with Meaning and Examples
Contents
show
Prefix is a word part, added in front of a base word to change the meaning of the root word. Here you can find popular English prefixes with meaning and examples.
For example let’s take the word “kind” as our root word. When we add prefix “un” to our base word, we get a new word “unkind” which means not kind.
Keep in mind the sound that comes before a root word is called a prefix. When we add a prefix, it changes the meaning of the word.
| 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
