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.

  • Prefixes E- and Ex-

    The prefixes, e- and ex-, indicates out, away, out of or outside. Note: the prefix ex- can also mean former, e.g., ex-president. Words with the Prefix E- and Ex- Word Definition eave the lower edge of a roof that sticks out past the wall ebb to flow out or away eccentric not of the usual…

  • Prefix Non-

    The prefix, non-, indicates not. Words with the Prefix Non- Word Definition nonchalant showing or having a relaxed manner free from concern or excitement (n. – nonchalance ) noncombatant (1) a member of the of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting, e.g., surgeon or chaplain (2) a person who is not in…

  • Prefixes Pro

    The prefix, pro-, indicates approving, in favor of, for, forward or positive. Prefixes for Pro- Word Definition probable something likely to happen (n. – probability, adv.- probably) proceed to go forward or onward: advance procession a group of individuals moving along in an orderly way proclaim to announce publically; declare (n. – proclamation) procrastinate to…

  • Prefix Dis-

    The prefix, dis- , implies not; to do the opposite of. Words with the Prefix Dis- Word Definition disability a condition that limits a person’s ability disable to make incapable or unable disabled not having the ability to do certain mental or physical tasks disadvantage a state or condition that favors someone else disadvantageous making…

  • Prefix Inter-

    The prefix, inter, implies between, among or together. Words with the Prefix Inter- Word Definition interact to do things with other people interaction the act of doing things with people interactive designed to be used in a way that involves the participation of a user intercede to help settle differences between individuals or groups intercept…

  • Prefixes Fore

    The prefix, – fore, implies before (earlier), e.g., foresee, at the front (in front), e.g. foreleg, and the front part of something, e.g., forearm. Words with the Prefix Fore- Word Definition forearm the part of the arm between the elbow and wrist forebear ancestor, forefather foreboding a feeling that something bad is about to happen…