Prefixes

Prefixes are a group of letters that are placed at the beginning of the base of a word to changes its meaning and/or parts of speech.

What Are Prefixes?

A prefix is a group of letters that is added to the beginning of a word (nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc.) to change their meaning and use.
There are many prefixes in the English language and most of them are Latin. In this lesson, we are going to discuss old English, Latin, Greek, and old French prefixes.

Old English Prefixes

Old English prefixes are 'un-, up-, down-, under-, mid-, over-, trans-, fore-, mini-, be-, ex-, and con-.' In the following, we can see their meanings and examples:

Un-

meaning	example
Not, absence of a quality	Unstoppable, Unmodified, Unconvinced, Unnamed, Unnoticeable, Unpaired
Contrary to, opposite of	Untidiness, Unbelief, Unrest, Unaptness, Untruth
The reverse of an action	Untie, Uncover, Untangle, Unlock

Up-

meaning	examples
Situated in a higher position	Upstairs, Upland, Upstate, Upriver, Upstage, Upstream, Upstroke
Upward movement, direction	Updraft, Upsurge, Upside, Upward
Lift, raise toward a higher level, position	Upcast, Uplift, Uprise, Upthrow, Upthrust, Uproot, Upraise
Increase in size, scale, etc.	Upscale, Up-tempo, Upbeat, Uproar
To a more recent time	Update
To a better state	Upgrade, Uplift, Upturn

Tip

Some words include 'up' in their construction, which does not have a specific meaning but serves as a prefix. For example, 'upwind, uptime (work time), upswing (an increase in strength), upfront (bold), upload, upkeep (care), upcoming, uplink, upbraid, uptake (take up, make use), upset (overturn).'

Down-

meaning	examples
Situated in a lower position	Downriver, Downland, Downfield, Downhill
Downward movement, motion	Downcast
Reduce to a lower level, position, size, scale	Downgrade, Downfall, Downscale, Downsize, Downturn, Downbeat, Downshift

Tip!

Some words include 'down' in their construction, which does not have a specific meaning but serves as a prefix. For example, 'downhearted, downside, downvote (disapproval), downwind (in the same direction), download.'

Under-

meaning	examples
Beneath, directly under something else	Underground, Underlay, Underline, Underworld, Underclothes, Undergarment, Underwear
Below, lower part, side, position	Underlip, Underarm, Undershrub, Underside
Less than usual, not enough	Undergrowth, Underman, Undernourished, Underpayment, Underprice, Underemployed, Undercharge,
Subordinating, lower rank, position	Undersecretary, Undermanager, Undergraduate

Tip!

Some words include 'under' in their construction, which does not have a specific meaning but serves as a prefix. For example, 'underwriter', 'underhand' (hidden, deceitful), 'undergo' (experience), 'undertake' (accept), and 'undersign'.

Mid-

meaning	examples
Half	Midway, Midcap, Midlife, Midline, Midnight, Midpoint

Over-

meaning	examples
Too much/excessive	Overreact, Overanxious, Overboil, Overdress, Overcharge, Overdue, Oversimplify
Upper, outer	Overcoat, Overleaf, Overclothe, Overshoe, Overskirt
Denoting a location above	Overhead, Overcast, Overhang, Overfly
To a downward direction	Overthrow, Overlook, Overshadow, Oversee

Tip!

There are some words in English that use 'over' in their construction, but have a different meaning. Examples of such words include overtime, overcome, overrule (cancel), overwinter (spend winter), overhear, overview, overland, overlap

Trans-

meaning	examples
Across, beyond a place	Transcultural, Transcontinental, Translunar, Transnational, Transoceanic, Transpolar, Transatlantic
Through	Transdermal, Transfuse
Denoting change into another state	Transform, Transfigure, Transubstantiate, Transgender, Transsexual
To move to another place	Translocate, Transplant, Transship
Too much, beyond	Transfinite, Transfix, Transmundane

Fore-

meaning	examples
Going before, preceding	Forerunner, Forefather, Forebear, Forenoon, Forego, Foreplay
The front part of something	Forehead, Forearm, Forecastle, Foredeck
In front	Foreshorten, Forecourt, Foreground
In advance	Forebode, Forecast, Forefend, Foreknow

Mini-

meaning	examples
Small, short	Miniskirt, Minibar, Minicab, Mini-market, Mini-golf

Be-

meaning	examples
Make, cause	Bewitch, Befriend, Bedazzle, Become

Ex-

meaning	examples
A former state	Ex-wife, Ex-boyfriend, Ex-husband, Ex-member, Ex-Muslim

Con-

meaning	examples
Together	Confederate, Conjoin

2. Latin Prefixes

In the following, you will learn some Latin prefixes that are used in the English language. They are as follows:
de-, dis-, in- (and its variants that are il-, im-, ir-), non-, sub-, inter-, infra-, intra-, pre-, pro-, post-, re-, ultra-, extra-, bi-, tri-, multi-, poly-, super-, counter-, co-, post-, retro-, tele-.'

De-

meaning	example
Removal, reversal	Dehydrate, Defrost, Deforest, Decaffeinate
The meaning of the word is changed to the opposite	Defame, Deconstruct, Demerit, Decamp, Decode, Deform

Dis-

meaning	example
Denoting removal	Disburden, Disarm, Discover, Disbud, Disambiguate
Denoting reversal	Disembark, Discharge, Distrust, Disjoin, Disconnect, Disintegrate, Dismantle
Denoting absence, opposite to	Dissimilar, Dislike, Disappear, Dishonest, Dissatisfied

In-

	meaning	example
Latin	Not	Inactive, Incapable, Inexact, Inexpensive, Ingenious, Insane
	Without, lacking	Indecision, Indiscretion, Inexperience, Ineffectiveness
	Having a causative function	Inflame, Intoxicate, Inaugurate, Inanimate, Inbreathe, Inbreed
English	In, into, towards, within	Inbox, Inflow, Inhale, Inland, Innate, Intake

Tip

If 'in-' means 'into, towards, or within', it has an English origin.

Il-

meaning	examples
Not	Illegal, Illiteracy, Illogical, Illiberal, Illegitimate, Illiberalize, Illegalize, Illegitimate

Im-

	meaning	examples
Latin	Not	Impossible, Imperfect, Impassive, Impracticability
	Having a causative function	Imperil, Imbricate
English	In, into	Immigrate

Tip!

If 'im-' means 'into', it has an English origin.

Ir-

meaning	examples
Not	Irresponsible, Irrational, Irreclaimable, Irregular, Irreligious, Irreversible

Tip

The prefix 'ir-' is used before words starting with the letter 'r', the prefix 'im-' is used before words starting with 'p' or 'b', the prefix 'il-' stands before words starting with 'l', and the prefix 'in-' is used before other letters.

Non-

meaning	examples
Not	Nonverbal, Nonexistent, Non-nuclear, Nonalcoholic, Nonflavored, Nonglutinous, Noninfectious Nonarbitrary, Nonuniformly, Non\fiction
Without	Nonevent, Nonstop
Denoting absence	Non-attendance, Non-interference, Noncooperation, Nonunion
Not causing or requiring	Nonskid, Nonstick, Nonslip

Sub-

meaning	examples
Lower position or level	Subalpine, Subway, Submerge, Submarine, Subocean
Forming a subordinate part of a whole	Subculture, Subclass, Subdivision, Subsection, Subclause, Subcommittee, Subcontract
Secondary in rank, subordinate	Subdeacon, Subeditor
Of lesser quality, inferior, somewhat, nearly	Subhuman, Substandard, Subaquatic, Subantarctic subacid, Subcontinent, Subtropical
Denoting a later or secondary action of the same kind	Subdivide, Subcontract, Sublease, Sublet, Subsequent

Inter-

meaning	examples
Between, among	Interlink, Intersection, Intercellular, Interconnect, Interdepartment
Mutually, reciprocally	Interdependent, Interactive, Interchangeable, Interrelationship

Re-

meaning	examples
Back to a previous state	Return, Reinstate, Relapse, Recall, Rebound, Refund, Reimbursement
Mutually	React
In opposition	Repel
With negative force	Recant
With intensive repetitive force	Refine, Refoulement, Repress

Infra-


Below	Infrared, Infrastructure, Infraorder, Infrahuman

Intra-

meaning	examples
Within, inside	Intracellular, Intracerebral, Intradepartmental, Intralinguistic, Intramural, Intrastate

Pre-

meaning	example
Before	Preassembled, Precut, Prefix, Preorder, Preregistration

Pro-

meaning	example
Supporting	Pro-choice, Prolabor
Substituting for	Procathedral, Proconsul
A motion forward, out, or away	Proceed, Proclivity

Post-

meaning	examples
After in time/order	Postgraduate, Postdate, Postmodern, Postbiblical, Postdoctoral, Postmodernism

Re-

meaning	examples
Once more, anew	Redo, Reestablishment, Refurbish, Recount, Regelation, Reassure

Semi-

meaning	examples
Half	Semicircle, Semicircular, Semitone
Occurring twice in a period of time	Semiannual, Semiweekly, Semimonthly
Partly, almost	Semiliquid, Semi-conscious, Semi-darkness, Semi-skilled, Semifinal

Ultra-

meaning	examples
Beyond a limit, on the other side of	Ultraviolet, Ultralight, Ultrasonic, Ultramicroscopic
Extreme degree, very	Ultra-ambitious, Ultra-modern

Extra-

meaning	examples
Outside, beyond	Extraterrestrial, Extracellular, Extra-constitutional, Extra-parliamentary
Beyond the scope of	Extracurricular, Extraordinary, Extraordinaire, Extrasensory

Bi-

meaning	examples
Two, having two	Bicultural, Bipolar, Bisexual, Bicolored
On both sides, directions	Bilateral, Biconcave
Occurring twice	Biweekly, Bicentennial

Tri-

meaning	examples
Three, having three	Tricycle, Triangle, Trihydroxy, Trivalent
Occurring every three	Trimonthly, Triannually

Multi-

meaning	examples
Many	Multimedia, Multicolored, Multistory, Multimillion

Poly-

meaning	examples
Many	Polyglot, Polytechnic

Super-

meaning	examples
Extra-large of its kind	Supermarket, Supercontinent, Supergiant, Superhighway
Beyond, over	Supernormal, Superabundant, Supercharge, Supercritical, Superpower
Outstanding	Superstar, Supermodel, Supermodel, Superhero, Superman, Superwoman, Superhuman
Higher in rank, superior to	Superintendent, Supervisor
Placed on, positioned on something	Superimpose, Superinfection, Superpose, Superstructure

Counter-

meaning	examples
Opposition, against	Counterattack, Counter-offensive, Counterpoint, Countercharge, Counteract, Counter-terrorist
Complementary	Counterfoil
Corresponding	Countertrade, Counterpart
Duplicate or substitute	Counterfeit

Co-

meaning	examples
Together, common	Cooperation, Coproduction, Coworker, Copartner, Coeducation

Post-

meaning	examples
After, later, subsequent to	Postdoctoral, Postmodern, Postcolonial, Postwar

Retro-

meaning	examples
Before, backwards	Retroactive, Retrorocket, Retroscape

Tele-

meaning	examples
Distant, transmission over distances	Television, Telework, Telegram, Teleguide, Telemonitor

3. Greek Prefixes

Greek prefixes that are used in the English language are as follows: 'Anti, dys-, micro-, hemi-, proto-, mono-, meta-, hyper-, and auto-.'

Anti-

'anti-' is a type of prefix

meaning	example
Against, opposed to	Antifeminism, Anticlerical, Anticlockwise, Antiracist, Anti-government
Inhibiting, counteracting	Antifreeze, Antibacterial, Antihistamine, Anti-aircraft

Dys-

meaning	examples
Bad, difficult (medical)	Dysfunction, Dysrhythmic, Dystrophic, Dyslogistic

Micro-

meaning	examples
Small-scale	Micrometer, Microcar, Microscope, Microphone, Microorganism

Hemi-

meaning	examples
Half	Hemisphere, Hemicycle, Hemimorphic, Hemilingual

Proto-

meaning	examples
Original, primitive	Prototype, Protostar
First, earliest	Protomartyr

Mono-

meaning	examples
One, alone, single	Monolingual, Monocarboxylic

Meta-

meaning	examples
Beyond	Metaphysic, Metafiction, Metathesis, Metasomatism
Denoting change	Metamorphosis
Situated behind or after	Metaphase, Metapneumonic

Hyper-

meaning	examples
Above normal	Hyperactive, Hyper-critical, Hypercorrection, Hyperextended, Hypersonic

Auto-

meaning	examples
One’s own, by oneself	Autobiography, Autograph
By itself, self-sufficient	Automobile, Autotoxidation, Auto-analysis, Autofocusing

4. Old French Prefixes

In the following, you can see French prefixes that are used in the English language. They are 'mis-, mal-, en-, and sur-'.

Mis-

meaning	examples
Wrong, badly	Misplace, Misrepresentation, Misdo, Mistrial, Misprint, Misadventure
Not, denoting lack	Misfire, Mistrust,

Mal-

meaning	examples
Wrong, faulty	Malfunction, Malformed
Improper manner	Maltreat, Malpractice
Inadequate	Malnourishment, Malnutrition
Not, denoting lack	Maladroit

En-

meaning	examples
Make, cause to be	Enable, Endanger, Enthrall, Ensure, Enarm
Put into, on	Engulf, Entomb, Enthrone
Conversion into the specified state	Encrust, Ennoble, Enliven
To go into, on	Enplane
To cover with, surround	Enmesh, Enrobe
As an intensifier	Encourage, Entangle, Endure

Sur-

meaning	examples
Over, beyond	Surrealism, Surcharge
Upon, over	Surface, Surcoat, Surname

Notes about Prefixes

Here are some tips to remember when using prefixes:

When a prefix is added to a word, the spelling of the root of word never changes.

happy → unhappy, legal → illegal

If the last letter of the prefix is the same as the first letter of the root, double letters are possible and there is no need to remove a letter.

mobilize → immobilize, natural → unnatural

Pay attention to words that look like they have a prefix but, in fact, do not.

uncle, reach, relative

When a prefix is added to a proper noun, a hyphen is needed.

Mid-Atlantic, Post-Elizabethan

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