What is a Prefix?
A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a base word or root. A prefix changes the meaning but not the part of speech of the word or root to which it is added.
The word prefix itself is formed with a prefix: pre- “before” +fix. A prefix, then, is something that is “fixed before” a word.
Angie will agree with Alan but disagree with Diane.
The prefixes in the chart are from Latin. Knowing these prefixes will help you to understand the meanings of many words.
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
| counter- | opposite; against | counterproductive |
| dis- | not; opposite of; from | disobey, dismiss |
| in- | not; into | inaction, ingrown |
| inter- | between or among | interact, interchange |
| pre- | before | preview, prevent |
| re– | again; back | refinish, receive |
| sub– | beneath; under | subsoil, subject |
Here is the list of common roots with their meaning and examples.
List of Common Roots
| Base | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| act | to do, drive | action, actor, react, transact, enact |
| alt | high | altitude, altimeter |
| aqua | water | aquamarine, aquanaut |
| bio | life | biology, biochemistry |
| circ, circum | around | circumference, circular |
| dem | people | democracy, demagogue |
| fin | end, limit | finish, finite, final |
| graph, gram | to write, draw, record | autograph, telegram, paragraph |
| hab | to have, to hold | habit, habitat, inhabit |
| hypo | under, below | hypotension, hypothermia |
| leg | law | legal, legislator |
| manu | hand | manual, manufacture |
| noc | night | nocturnal, nocturne |
| temp | time | temporary, temper |
| tract | to pull, draw | attract, traction |
Summary
A prefix is an element placed at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. Examples: impossible, inconvenient, irresponsible, ingrown.
Prefix Exercises
A. Add correct prefix to each word to make a new word.
| obey | ____________ | finish | ____________ |
| view | ____________ | miss | ____________ |
| act | ____________ | agree | ____________ |
| change | ____________ | action | ____________ |
| use | ____________ | soil | ____________ |
| state | ____________ | side | ____________ |
B. Replace the word (s) in italics in the sentences below with one of these words beginning with mal-. The prefix mal-means ‘badly’ or ‘wrongly’.
| malfunctioning | malevolent |
| malpractice | malignant |
| a malingerer | malicious |
| malnutrition |
- The high-energy biscuits saved thousands of refugees who were suffering from lack of food. ______________________________________________________________________________
- The surgeon said the growth would have to be removed as it was cancerous. ______________________________________________________________________________
- To his horror, the pilot realised that one of the engines was not working properly. ______________________________________________________________________________
- The doctor was taken to court for failing to care properly for his patients. _______________________________________________________________________________
- Children’s fairy stories often contain a character who is very evil. _______________________________________________________________________________
- This little boy is deliberately hurtful towards other children. _______________________________________________________________________________
- She’s not really ill, you know. In my opinion she’s staying away from work for no good reason. _______________________________________________________________________________