Prefixes (at the beginning of words) can help you to understand what a new word means. Here are some common prefixes.
un- and dis-
These prefixes have two meanings: they can have a negative meaning (as above), but they can also mean 'the opposite of an action' or 'to reverse an action'. This meaning is used with certain verbs.
- I locked the door when I left, but I lost the key, so I couldn't it unlock it when I got back.
- I had to pack my suitcase (= put everything in it) very quickly, so when I unpacked (= took everything out) at the hotel, most of my clothes looked terrible.
- The plane appeared in the sky, then suddenly disappeared behind a cloud.
- In the morning you get dressed (= put on your clothes); when you go to bed you get undressed (= take off your clothes).
re- (= again)
- My homework was terrible, so I had to redo it.
- The shop closed down but will reopen next month.
- I failed my exam but I can retake (or redo/resit) it next year.
over- (= too much)
- I think my boss is overdoing it at the moment. (= working too hard; also overwork)
- I went to bed very late and I overslept (= slept too long) this morning.
- The shop assistant overcharged me. (= asked me for too much money)
mis- (= badly or incorrectly)
- I'm afraid I misunderstood what he said.
- Two of the students misread the first question.
Prefix |
Meaning |
Example |
a |
not
|
aseptic, asymmetrical |
ab |
away from
|
abnormal, absent |
anti |
against
|
antibiotic, antifreeze |
auto |
self, alone |
automatic, automobile
|
bene |
good |
beneficial, benefit
|
bi |
two, double |
bicycle, bicentennial
|
bio |
life |
biology, biosphere
|
cent |
hundred |
century, centurion
|
centi |
hundredth |
centimeter
|
circum |
around |
circumference
|
co |
with, together |
cooperate
|
com |
with |
compassion, combine
|
con |
with |
connect
|
contra |
against |
contradict
|
deci |
tenth |
decimeter
|
deca |
ten |
decagon
|
dia |
through |
diagonal, diameter |
dis |
apart |
dislocate, dismantle |
eco |
earth |
ecology, ecosystem
|
equi |
equal
|
equilateral, equilibrium |
ex |
former
|
ex-wife, ex-president |
hemi |
half |
hemisphere |
hyper |
above, over |
hyperactive |
il/im |
not |
incorrect, irresistible |
in/ir |
not
|
incorrect, irresistible |
inter |
between, among |
interstate, international |
magni |
great, large
|
magnify, magnificent |
mega |
great |
mega city, megaphone |
micro |
small |
microscope |
mid |
half
|
midway, middle |
mini |
very small |
miniskirt |
mis |
wrong |
misspell, misunderstand |
mono |
one, single |
monotheistic, monologue |
multi |
many |
multinational |
non |
not |
nonconformist, nonentity |
over |
too much |
overrun |
pan |
all |
pan-American |
para |
beside, guard
|
parallel, parachute |
penta |
five |
pentagon |
per |
throughout |
perfect, pervade |
poly |
many |
polygon |
port |
carry |
portage |
post |
after
|
postpone, postgraduate |
pre |
before |
prepare, predict |
pro |
forward, supporting |
progress, propel, profess |
quad |
four |
quadrilateral |
re |
again, back |
reconsider |
semi |
half, partly |
semidetached semiprivate |
sub |
below, under |
submarine, submerge |
super |
above |
superman, supernatural |
tele |
far |
telephone, television |
trans |
across, over
|
transport, transplant |
tri |
three |
triangle, tricycle |
ultra |
beyond |
ultrasound, ultra light |
un |
not, uncertain |
uneducated, unbearable |
under |
below |
underused |
uni |
one |
universal, unicycle |
a not aseptic, asymmetrical
ab away from abnormal, absent
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