Prefixes


Prefixes are found at the beginning of a word; they are small but meaningful groups of letters that when added to the front or base of a word they contribute to the meaning of the word.

Knowing the meaning of prefixes will assist a child when encountering unknown words, it helps a child comprehend the meaning of word.

Most Common Prefixes

The following 20 prefixes are commonly used; representing approximately 97%.

Rank Prefix Meaning Examples
1 un not, opposite of uneasy, unhappy & unheard
2 re again, back return, restore & reset
3 in, im,
ir, ill 		not, opposite of incomplete, impossible,
irregular & illegal
4 dis not, opposite discomfort, disconnect & discover
5 en, em cause to endanger, enlarge & enjoy
6 non not, opposite of nonprofit, nonliving & nonessential
7 in, im in or into indulge, inflame & impact
8 over too much, above overtime, overweight & overthrow
9 mis wrongly misfit, misspell & misstep
10 sub under, lower subway, submerge & subsoil
11 pre before predict, prehistoric & preface
12 inter between, among intervene, interactive & international
13 fore before forefront, foreman & foresee
14 de opposite of, down decrease, defrost & deform
15 trans across transatlantic, transfer & transport
16 super above, beyond supermarket, supernatural & supersonic
17 semi half semicolon, semifinal & semicircle
18 anti against antisocial, antidote & antibody
19 mid middle midway, midsummer & midwinter
20 under too little, below underclothes, undercooked & underdog

Source: Fry, E.B., Ph.D. & Kress, J.E., Ed.D. (2006). The Reading Teacher’s Book of Lists 5th Edition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass.

  • Prefix Multi

    The prefix, multi-, implies many, much or more than two. Words with the Prefix Multi- We created the list of words with the prefix multi- by referencing two dictionaries: Merriam-Webster Children’s Dictionary and Merriam-Webster’s Intermediate Dictionary. We limited these words to those most appropriate for a child in grades 5 through 8 or ages 10…

  • Prefix Mono-

    The prefix, mono- and mon-, implies one, single or alone. Words with the Prefix Mono- and Mon- We created the list of words with the prefix mono- and mon- by referencing two dictionaries: Merriam-Webster Children’s Dictionary and Merriam-Webster’s Intermediate Dictionary. We limited these words to those most appropriate for a child in grades 5 through…

  • Prefix Bio

    The prefix, bio-, implies of or related to life or living organisms. Words with the Prefix Bio- We created the list of words with the prefix bio- by referencing two dictionaries: Merriam-Webster Children’s Dictionary and Merriam-Webster’s Intermediate Dictionary. We limited the bio- words to those most appropriate for a child in grades 5 through 8…

  • Prefix Under-

    The prefix, under- , implies too little; below. Words with the Prefix Under- Word Definition underarm under the arm or in the armpit underbrush shrubs and small trees growing among large trees underclothes underwear; clothes worn under outer clothes undercooked not cooked enough undercurrent the flow of water that moves below the surface underdog a…

  • Numbers Prefixes

    Prefixes are small but meaningful groups of letters that when added to the beginning of a word contributes to its meaning. Numbers prefixes tell you how many there are of a particular thing. Numbers Prefix The list below contains prefixes expressing number.

  • Prefix Dys-

    The prefix, dys-, indicates abnormal, impaired, difficult or bad. Words with the Prefix Dys- Word Definition dyscrasia an abnormal bodily condition caused by poisons in the blood dysentery a disease marked especially by severe bloody diarrhea (adj. dysenteric) dysfunction not performing normally, as an organ or structure of the body; malfunctioning (adj. dysfunctional) dysgenic pertaining…