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Prefix
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Prefix
Words often are used as roots and can be expanded in meaning by simply adding small groups of letters to the beginning and end of the word. Prefixes are just this - added to the beginning to enhance or change the meaning of a root word.
What Is a Prefix?
A prefix is a single letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a root word to create a new word with a different meaning or part of speech. They are the counterpart of a suffix, which is added to the end of a word.
How Are They Used?
Unlike suffixes where there are spelling changes, prefixes are simply added to the beginning of a word or root word in order to influence the meaning.
What Are Some Examples?
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| a- | lacking, without, not | amoral, asexual |
| ab- | away, removed, not | absent, abstract |
| anti- | against, opposed to | antithesis, antiquated |
| auto- | self | autopilot, autocorrect |
| circum- | around | circumvent, circumlocute |
| co- | with | co-chair, cooperate |
| counter- | opposing, contrary to, against | counterintuitive, counterintelligence |
| de- | reverse or change | dethrone, demean |
| dis- | reverse or remove | disbar, disconnect |
| em-/-en | cause to | embrace, encode |
| ex- | away from, former, lacking | expatriate, export |
| extra- | beyond | extraordinary, extracurricular |
| fore- | front | forehead, foreground |
| hyper- | extreme | hyperactive, hypersensitive |
| il- | not | illegal, illustrious |
| im- | not | Impossible, improbable |
| in- | not | injustice, inevitable |
| inter- | between | interact, interconnect |
| ir- | not | Irregular, irrelevant |
| mega- | very big, important | megamind, megascore |
| micro- | very small | microscope, microorganism |
| mid- | middle | midwestern, midway |
| mis- | incorrectly, badly | misconduct, misfire |
| non- | not | nonsense, nonstarter |
| over- | too much | overrated, overstimulated |
| out- | go beyond | outdated, outran |
| pre- | before | preexist, precursor |
| pro- | in favor of | prorate, productive |
| re- | again | remit, redo |
| semi- | half | semicircle, semifinal |
| sub- | under, below | Subcontract, subtract |
| super- | above, beyond | superstar, superbowl |
| tele- | at a distance | telephone, teleport |
| trans- | across | transport, transfigure |
| tri- | three | tricycle, triangle |
| ultra- | extremely | ultra-concentrated |
