Learning Materials
Features
Discover
There are many different ways to form new words in the English language. One of the ways is with the use of prefixes.Â
Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies
Sign up for free
Achieve better grades quicker with Premium
Geld-zurück-Garantie, wenn du durch die Prüfung fällst
Did you know that StudySmarter supports you beyond learning?
Review generated flashcards
Start learning or create your own AI flashcards
Team Prefix Teachers
This article will define what a prefix is, provide plenty of examples of the different prefixes used in the English language, and explain how and when you should use them.
A prefix is a type of affix attached to the beginning of a base word (or root) to change its meaning.
Affix - Letters that are added to the base form of a word to give it a new meaning.
The word prefix itself actually contains a prefix! The letters 'pre' is a prefix that means before or in front of. It is attached to the root word fix, which means attach.
Prefixes are always derivational, meaning once a prefix is used, it creates a new word with a different meaning from the base word.
When the prefix 'un ' is added to the base word 'happy ', it creates the new word 'unhappy'.
This new word (unhappy) has the opposite meaning of the base word (happy).
As a verb, the term prefix means placing in front of
Redo: Here, the letters 're' are prefixed to the base word 'do'. This creates a new word with a new meaning.
As a noun, a prefix is a type of affix that is attached to the beginning of a base word to alter its meaning.
Polyglot: the prefix 'poly' (meaning: many ) is attached to the base word 'glot' (meaning: speaking or writing in a language ), to form a new word - polyglot - which is used to refer to a person who knows and can speak in more than one language.
The following table shows a comprehensive but not complete list of prefixes used in the English language.
Certain prefixes create a new word with the opposite or nearly opposite meaning of the base word. In many cases, the word changes from something positive to something more negative. Here is a list of prefixes that negate (make negative) a word:
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
| a / an | lack of, without, not | asymmetric, atheist, anaemic |
| ab | away, not | abnormal, absent |
| anti | contrary to, against | anti-inflammatory, antisocial |
| counter | contrary to, against | counter-argument, counterproposal |
| de | undo, remove | deter, deactivate |
| ex | previous, former | ex-husband |
| il | not, without | illegal, illogical |
| im | not, without | improper, impossible |
| in | no, lacking | injustice, incomplete |
| ir | not | irreplaceable, irregular |
| non | not, lacking | non-fiction, nonnegotiable |
| un | not, lacking | unkind, unresponsive |
Fig 1. The prefix 'il' can be added to the word 'legal' to form a new word
Some prefixes don't necessarily negate the meaning of a base word but alter it to express the word's relationship with time, place, or manner.
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
| ante | before, prior to | anterior, antebellum |
| auto | self | autobiography, autograph |
| bi | two | bicycle, binomial |
| circum | around, to go around | circumnavigate, circumvent |
| co | jointly, together | copilot, coworker |
| di | two | diatomic, dipole |
| extra | beyond, more | extracurricular |
| hetero | different | heterogeneous, heterosexual |
| homo | same | homogeneous, homosexual |
| inter | in between | intersect, intermittent |
| mid | middle | midpoint, midnight |
| pre | before | preschool |
| post | after | post-workout |
| semi | partial | semicircle |
There are no fixed and complete rules regarding when you should and should not use a hyphen to separate a base word from its prefix. However, there are a few things you should be aware of to help you use prefixes and hyphens correctly.
You must use a hyphen if a prefix is attached to a proper noun.
A hyphen should be used with a prefix in cases where it may lead to confusion over meaning or spelling. Confusion most commonly arises when the base word plus a prefix creates a word that already exists.
Re-cover vs Recover
Adding the prefix 're' to the word 'cover' creates a new word 'recover', which means to cover again.
However, this may cause confusion as the word recover already exists (a verb meaning to return to health).
Adding a hyphen makes it more apparent that 're' is a prefix.
If a prefix ends with the same vowel that the base word starts with, use a hyphen to separate the two.
There may be exceptions to this rule with the vowel "o". For example, 'coordinate' is correct, but 'coowner' is incorrect. In such cases, using a spellchecker may prove to be helpful.
Certain prefixes such as 'ex' and 'self' are always followed by a hyphen.
Knowing how to use prefixes will make you more proficient in the language and improve your vocabulary. It will also allow you to convey information in a more concise and precise manner.
Using the word 'reestablish' instead of 'establish it again' will allow for more concise communication.
Sign up for free to gain access to all our flashcards.
What is a prefix?
A prefix is a type of affix that goes at the beginning of a word. An affix is a group of letters attached to the root word to change its meaning.
What is an example of a prefix?
Some examples of prefixes are bi, counter and ir. E.g. bisexual, counterargument, and irregular.
What are some common prefixes?
Common prefixes are those that alter the meaning of the root word to express relationships of time, place or manner. Some examples are: ante, co, and pre.
How do you use a prefix in English?
In English, prefixes are attached to the beginning of the base word. They may or may not be separated by a hyphen.
What does prefix a mean?
The prefix a can have various meanings, depending on the context.
At StudySmarter, we have created a learning platform that serves millions of students. Meet the people who work hard to deliver fact based content as well as making sure it is verified.
Lily Hulatt is a Digital Content Specialist with over three years of experience in content strategy and curriculum design. She gained her PhD in English Literature from Durham University in 2022, taught in Durham University’s English Studies Department, and has contributed to a number of publications. Lily specialises in English Literature, English Language, History, and Philosophy.
Get to know Lily
Gabriel Freitas is an AI Engineer with a solid experience in software development, machine learning algorithms, and generative AI, including large language models’ (LLMs) applications. Graduated in Electrical Engineering at the University of São Paulo, he is currently pursuing an MSc in Computer Engineering at the University of Campinas, specializing in machine learning topics. Gabriel has a strong background in software engineering and has worked on projects involving computer vision, embedded AI, and LLM applications.
Get to know Gabriel
Vaia is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Learn moreSave explanations to your personalised space and access them anytime, anywhere!
Sign up with Email Sign up with AppleBy signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy of Vaia.
Already have an account? Log in
Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.
Explanations 
Textbooks 
Exams 
GCSE 
IGCSE 
AS 
A Level 
International A Level 
University Admissions Tests 
Flashcards 
Vaia AI 
Notes 
Study Plans 
Study Sets 
Find a job 
Find a degree 
Student Deals 
Magazine 
Mobile App 
