English prefixes
What are the English prefixes?
Prefix is a word that comes before the root word that changes the meaning of the word after a prefix is added.
English prefixes are words that originated from English language. There are also words that originated form the Greek and Latin which, also, we will see in detail. But for now, we are going to concentrate only on English Prefixes.
Prefix word | Meaning |
|---|---|
For | thoroughly |
Fore | before |
Im | opposite |
In | in, not |
Gain | against |
re | again |
Over | beyond, above |
Dis | opposite |
Mis | wrong |
Un | not & to reverse an action |
To | this |
Uni | one |
Bi | two |
Tri | three |
Dec | ten |
With | back, against |
Under | below, beneath |
A | in / on |
Tele | distant |
Be | by |
Multi | many |
Micro | small |
Mid | middle |
Super | extra |
A | from, out |
Ultra | extreme, beyond |
1. For: thoroughly
forgive, forbear.
Example sentence: I forgive you for what you did to me.
2. Fore: before
foretell, forecast, foresight, forethink.
Example sentence: The weather forecast for tomorrow is heavy rainfall.
She foretold my future within minutes.
3. Im: opposite
impolite, immortal, impatient, impossible, improper, impractical, impotent, imperfect, immature, imbalance, impenetrable, immoral.
Example sentences: Her impolite behavior was annoying.
He gained immortality after the reciting of the mantra.
I became impatient as the queue was quite long.
Nothing is impossible, you can always do it.
4. In: not
inaccurate, incapable, incomparable, incompetent, insecure, inadmissible, inanimate, indecent, independence, incurable, incorrect, indirect, indefinite, indescribable, inconsistency, inconvenience, incoherent, incomprehensible, insane, informal, inequality, inexpensive, infamous, inflammable, ineffective, intangible, indiscretion, inhumane, invalid, inexplicit, inevitable, inexplicable, inconsiderate, invaluable, insatiable, incomplete.
Example sentences: Her impolite behavior was annoying.
He gained immortality after the reciting of the mantra.
I became impatient as the queue was quite long.
Nothing is impossible, you can always do it.
The medicine is ineffective on him.
The answer is incorrect.
Your status shows you are invalid to vote, as you are below 18 years old.
Your work is incomplete. Finish it before you leave.
The lab results are inaccurate.
5. Un: not & to reverse an action.
unconscious, unwrap, unfamiliar, unveil, untie, unfit, unfair, uneven, unexpected, uneasy, undo, unemployed, unconfirmed, undecided, undamaged, unconcerned, unending, uncommon, uncertain, unimportant, unanswered, unable, unaccustomed, unbutton, uncalled, unaware, unacceptable, unanticipated, unbearable.
Example sentences: He became unconscious after the results were announced.
She is still unemployed.
The results were unacceptable.
We were unable to attend the meeting.
He unbuttoned his coat and hung it in the hanger,
Press ctrl + z to undo an action.
The building was undamaged even after the earthquake.
The task was uneasy to do.
The results are unconfirmed.
He was uncertain of his decision.
6. Gain: against.
gainsay – to speak against someone.
Example sentences: I was not able to gainsay her statement, as she had verified reports.
7. Re: again.
regain, redo, rebuy, redraw, rebuild, reassemble, readjust, recall, reheat, replay, rewrite, reapprove, restock, remake, repack, retie, reshape, relight, refold, reiterate, recalculate, redye, retry, reenact, refocus, rewire, research, repaint, reappear, remix, repark, retell, revisit, reconfirm, reattempt, rethink, recount, resell, rebuy, remade, resail, refill, re-lift, regraft, reread, rediscover, reassign, reunite, reuse, refresh, reargue, return, restart, retake, refreeze, relive, retrack, relist, relearn, reknot, reknit, recolor, redrill, redial.
Example sentences: I regained my weight after my holidays.
We recalculated the marks before paper submission.
She redyed the fabric as it was dull.
Sam refolded all clothes as it was not done properly.
There are many apps to resell and rebuy.
We reunited after 10 years in the get together party.
8. Over: beyond, above.
overcharge, overtime, overact, overall, overdose, override, overflow, overshot, overheat, overuse, overkill, oversee, overcome, overjoyed, overworked, overcoat, overripe, overcast, overhaul, overgrown, overboard, overrule, overshot, overdo, oversleep, overrule,
Example sentences: He did overtime to meet his ends.
She overkilled by wearing too much jewelry.
The pumpkins are overgrown.
Oversleeping can lead to headaches.
The tank overflowed after 20 minutes.
9. Dis: opposite.
disease, disallow, dishonest, disbelieve, dislike, distrust, disobey, disloyal, distrust, discomfort, discontinue, disappear, disagree, discount, disinfect, disrespect, disappoint, disgrace, disembark, dislocate, disregard, disintegrate, disunite, disorganize, dislodge, dissimilar, disqualified, distrust, disconnect, discourage, dismiss, disorder, dishonest, dismantle, distrustful, disapproval.
Example sentences: His dishonest behavior was not liked by his wife.
The shoulder got dislocated after the accident.
He was disqualified as he cheated in the tests.
I disliked the post as it had useless information.
10. Mis: wrong.
misbehave, misspell, mismatch, misfit, misplace, mistreat, misfire, mishear, misread, misconstruction, misguide, misfeature, misinterpretation, misjudge.
Example sentences: She misspelled all the dictation words.
I misread the instructions and the machine is not working now!
The misconstruction lead to the collapse of the building
I misjudged you. You are a good person.
She mistreated me at the party.
Sorry, I misguided you in the project.
She misbehaved in the classroom.
11. Un: not & to reverse an action.
unwell, uncertain, untrue, unhappy, untie, untidy, unemployment, unable, undress, unaware, unfair, unaccomplished, unactive, unabort, unacceptable, unacquire, unadorn, unadopted, unabandon, unacademic, unacquainted, undo, unearthly, unforgettable, unhealthy, unleash, unkempt, ungrateful, uneducated, undue, undisputed, uncover, uncommon, uncomfortable, uncivilized, unbreakable, unbelievable, unbreakable, unarmed, unapproachable, unafraid, unavailable, unaccompanied, unabsorbed, unaffected, undesirable.
Example sentences: I am uncertain of the outcome.
She ate unhealthy and is facing the consequences now.
His achievement is unbelievable.
I got first place and is the most unforgettable incident of my life.
I was unhappy as no one was on time.
Mr. Sam is unavailable right now.
She was unafraid to sleep in the dark.
He made an unbreakable vow.
She is unapproachable and quite not friendly.
12. To: this.
today, tonight, tomorrow.
Example sentences: We have a meeting today.
Tomorrow is going to be a big day.
I am happy to invite you to the dinner party tonight.
13. Uni: one.
uniform, unicycle.
Example sentences: Uniforms were designed to represent all students are equal.
14. Bi: two, twice.
bilingual, bicycle, bilateral, bisect, biweekly, bifocal, bimonthly.
Example sentences: I subscribed for a biweekly magazine.
The school has bilingual(two languages) education system.
He adjusted the bifocal lens.
15. Tri: three, thrice.
tricycle, tricolor, tripod, triangle, triplet, trillion, trio, trilingual, triathlon, trilateral, trilogy, trisect
Example sentences: I participated in a triathlon with three activities, swimming, running and bicycling.
I gifted a tricycle to my toddler niece.
She gave birth to triplets.
I have a trillion questions to ask you. (Hyperbole)
His triangle was perfect.
16. Dec: ten.
decagon, decade, decathlon, decapod, decimate, decimal, decalogue.
Example sentences: We live here for a decade.
The decagon shaped architecture was amazing.
The 10 event athletic contest is called a decathlon.
The 10 foot shrimp or crab is called decapod.
17. With: back, against.
withdraw, withstand, withhold.
Example sentences: I withdrew cash from the ATM.
I withheld the money I had to pay to him.
I cannot withstand his speech against me.
18. Under: below, beneath.
underfoot, undercurrent, underdog, underestimate, underground, undergraduate, underline, underpart, under privileged, underscore, underrate, undersea, undertone, underweight, underworld, underwater, undergarment, undertow, undervalue, undershirt, underpass, undermine, underarm, undercook.
Example sentences: An underdog is a person or a team, who has little chance of winning.
At times, undercooked food can lead to stomach upset.
Undervalue is to value below its real worth.
She was underweight for her age.
19. A: in / on.
aboard, abed, ajar, asleep, ashore, aside.
Example sentences: We are all aboard the ship and ready to go.
I lay abed and am too lazy to get up.
She left the door ajar(open) and went.
I fell asleep on the couch.
Some small fishes were washed ashore.
20. A: out / from.
awake, alight arise.
Example sentences: I was awake last night when you came in.
The tourists alighted from the elephants.
The sky was alight on New Year’s eve.
The dark King arose in the deserted graveyard.
20. Tele: distant.
television, teleport, telephone, telepathy, telescope, telecom, teleology, telemetry, telegraph, telephoto, teleportation, teleconference, teleshopping, telemarketing.
Example sentences: The scientist invented a teleportation device.
The teleconference was a success.
The telegraph reached on time.
The television is one of the powerful multimedia in the ’90s.
My grandfather’s dialing landline telephone is still working!
21. Be: by.
bedevil, bedeck, begone, bedazzle, bedaub, bedim, beside, besmear, betimes, befit, begot, begotten, befool, begrudge, behold, belated, belittle, bewitch, because.
Example sentences: I was enraged because of him,
She bedazzled him with her beauty.
Your actions befits you. (suits you).
She was bewitched and I knew the counter spell.
22. Multi: many.
multinational, multicolor, multilingual, multiply, multipurpose, multidimensional, multimedia, multiform, multilayer, multicultural, multimillionaire, multiplex, multicellular, multiracial, multitude, multivitamin, multiform.
Example sentences: She wore a multicolor dress for the party.
We have a tie up with a multinational company.
Some tribes around the world are multilingual.
I bought a multipurpose blender.
The superhero took multiforms.
23. Micro: small.
microscope, microphone, microbiologist, microorganism, microbes, microwave, microprocessor,
Example sentences: We use a microscope to see microorganisms,
The microprocessor is like the heart of the CPU.
The microwave is the best to bake cakes.
My aim is to become a successful microbiologist,
There are microbes present in the water. So boil it before you drink.
24. Mid: middle.
midway, midday, midnight, midafternoon, midabdominal, mid-age, midair, midaltitude, mid-adolescent, midfoot, midframe, mid-March, midforehead, mid-chest, midcalf, midcareer, midcycle.
Example sentences: We had lunch midafternoon.
I have pain in the midfoot since the walk.
The midframe seems to be perfect.
I have birthday mid-March.
25. Super: extra.
superman, superwoman, superfine, superhuman, superstar, super-fluent, superabundant, superimpose, supernatural, superpower, supernova, supersede, superficial.
Example sentences: The burns are superficial.
The superman got superpowers after the incident.
The sand in the sand clock is superfine.
Her speaking is super-fluent.
26. Ultra: extreme, beyond.
ultramodern, ultrahuman, ultrasound, ultralight, ultrashort, ultrabasic, ultrasonic, ultramafic, ultrastructure, ultrahazardous, ultraefficient, ultra-exclusive, ultraenergetic, ultrapowerful, ultraviolet, ultraheat, ultrasmart, ultra-dense, ultracool, ultrarich, ultra-tiny, ultralow, ultra-dry, ultracold.
Example sentences: I bought a ultramodern apartment.
She is ultrarich.
The technology is ultracool.
The bulb has ultralight technology.
The microwave produces ultraheat.
