PREFIX 

A prefix is a letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning.

Common Prefixes

 * un- (meaning: not, opposite of)

   * unhappy (not happy)

   * undo (opposite of doing)

   * unbelievable (not believable)

The prefix "un-" is one of the most common prefixes in English. It generally means:

 * not

 * the opposite of

 * to reverse an action

Meaning "not" or "opposite of":

 * unhappy (not happy)

 * unkind (not kind)

 * unfair (not fair)

 * untrue (not true)

 * unable (not able)

 * uncommon (not common)

 * uncertain (not certain)

 * unlucky (not lucky)

 * unsafe (not safe)

 * unhealthy (not healthy)

 * unnecessary (not necessary)

 * uncomfortable (not comfortable)

 * unimportant (not important)

 * unlimited (not limited)

 * unpopular (not popular)

 * unusual (not usual)

 * unwise (not wise)

 * unclear (not clear)

 * unfit (not fit)

 * unofficial (not official)

 * unemployed (not employed)

 * unfinished (not finished)

 * unequal (not equal)

Meaning "to reverse an action" or "to do the opposite of":

 * undo (to reverse doing)

 * unpack (to reverse packing)

 * unlock (to reverse locking)

 * untie (to reverse tying)

 * unscrew (to reverse screwing)

 * uncover (to reverse covering)

 * unwrap (to reverse wrapping)

 * unload (to reverse loading)

 * unzip (to reverse zipping)

 * unfold (to reverse folding)

 * unclog (to reverse clogging)

 * unearth (to reverse burying in earth, to dig up)

 * unhook (to reverse hooking)

 * unroll (to reverse rolling)

 * unbutton (to reverse buttoning)

 * unwind (to reverse winding)

 * re- (meaning: again, back)

   * rewrite (write again)

   * return (turn back)

   * rebuild (build again)

The prefix "re-" is incredibly common and usually means:

 * again (to do something one more time)

 * back (to return to a previous state or position)

Meaning "again":

 * redo (do again)

 * rewrite (write again)

 * reread (read again)

 * repaint (paint again)

 * rebuild (build again)

 * restart (start again)

 * reheat (heat again)

 * replay (play again)

 * reuse (use again)

 * recycle (process something so it can be used again)

 * refresh (make fresh again)

 * refill (fill again)

 * reapply (apply again)

 * reassess (assess again)

 * reconfirm (confirm again)

 * recreate (create again)

 * redesign (design again)

 * reevaluate (evaluate again)

 * reexamine (examine again)

 * renegotiate (negotiate again)

 * reopen (open again)

 * reorganize (organize again)

 * restore (bring back to a former condition)

Meaning "back" or "to return":

 * return (turn back)

 * recall (call back; remember)

 * remove (move back or away)

 * recede (go back or recede from a previous position)

 * reflect (bend back light/sound)

 * respond (answer back)

 * revert (go back to a previous state)

 * reimburse (pay back)

 * recede (move back from a previous position)

 * pre- (meaning: before)

   * preview (view before)

   * preheat (heat before)

   * prepaid (paid before)

Okay, let's look at more examples for the prefix "pre-"!

The prefix "pre-" is used to indicate something that happens before another event, time, or action.

Here are several examples:

 * preview (to view before a main showing)

 * preheat (to heat before cooking or baking)

 * prepay (to pay before receiving goods or services)

 * preschool (school attended before kindergarten or elementary school)

 * prehistoric (relating to the time before written history)

 * prefix (a word part placed before a root word)

 * predict (to say what will happen before it happens)

 * precaution (a measure taken beforehand to prevent something undesirable)

 * pretest (a test given before instruction to gauge prior knowledge)

 * prepare (to make ready beforehand)

 * prearrange (to arrange beforehand)

 * precise (cut off before too much; accurate, exact)

 * precede (to come before in time or order)

 * prefer (to choose one thing before another; to like better)

 * prejudice (a judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without due examination)

 * premeditated (thought out or planned beforehand)

 * prerequisite (something required before something else can happen)

 * present (to place before someone, or a gift given)

 * preserve (to keep safe before damage or decay)

 * prefix (to fix before or attach at the beginning)

 * dis- (meaning: not, opposite of)

   * dislike (not like)

   * disagree (not agree)

   * disconnect (opposite of connect)

The prefix "dis-" is very common and usually has a meaning related to:

 * not (e.g., disagree = not agree)

 * the opposite of (e.g., disappear = the opposite of appear)

 * apart, away (e.g., dismiss = send away)

 * undo, reverse an action (e.g., disconnect = undo a connection)

Meaning "not" or "opposite of":

 * dislike (not like)

 * disagree (not agree)

 * dishonest (not honest)

 * disloyal (not loyal)

 * disobey (not obey)

 * discomfort (not comfort)

 * disorder (not in order, chaos)

 * disrespect (lack of respect)

 * disadvantage (not an advantage)

 * disqualified (not qualified)

 * displeased (not pleased)

 * distrust (not trust)

 * disproportionate (not in proportion)

 * dissatisfied (not satisfied)

Meaning "apart, away, or undo/reverse an action":

 * disappear (to cease to be visible, go away)

 * disconnect (to undo a connection)

 * dismiss (to send away)

 * disarm (to remove weapons; to make less hostile)

 * discard (to throw away)

 * dislodge (to remove from a place where it was stuck)

 * dismantle (to take apart)

 * dispel (to drive away or disperse)

 * disperse (to scatter or spread widely)

 * disband (to break up or cease to function as a group)

 * disentangle (to untangle or free from complications)

 * disrobe (to take off clothes)

 * dislocate (to put out of place, especially a bone)

 * mis- (meaning: wrongly, badly)

   * misunderstand (understand wrongly)

   * misspell (spell wrongly)

   * misfortune (bad fortune)

 * wrongly

 * badly

 * incorrectly

Here are several examples:

 * misunderstand (to understand wrongly or incorrectly)

 * misspell (to spell wrongly or incorrectly)

 * mislead (to lead someone wrongly or in the wrong direction)

 * misbehave (to behave badly)

 * misfortune (bad fortune or bad luck)

 * mistake (an error or something done wrongly)

 * misprint (an error in printing)

 * miscommunication (bad or unclear communication)

 * misinterpret (to interpret wrongly)

 * misjudge (to judge wrongly)

 * miscalculate (to calculate wrongly)

 * misplace (to put in the wrong place or lose)

 * mistreat (to treat badly)

 * misuse (to use wrongly or improperly)

 * misconduct (bad or improper conduct)

 * misinformation (incorrect or misleading information)

 * misguided (led wrongly or with poor judgment)

 * misfile (to file incorrectly)

 * misrepresent (to represent falsely or incorrectly)

 * misread (to read or interpret wrongly)

 * anti- (meaning: against)

   * antisocial (against social norms)

   * antibiotic (against life/bacteria)

   * antifreeze (against freezing)

 * against

 * opposite (of)

 * antisocial (acting against social norms; not wanting to socialize)

 * antibiotic (a substance that works against bacteria)

 * antifreeze (a substance used to prevent freezing, working against freezing)

 * antigravity (a hypothetical force working against gravity)

 * antihero (a central character in a story, film, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes)

 * antibody (a protein produced by the immune system in response to foreign substances like viruses or bacteria)

 * anticlimax (an event, period, or statement that is a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events)

 * antioxidant (a substance that inhibits oxidation, which is a process that can damage cells)

 * antipollution (designed to prevent or reduce pollution)

 * antivirus (software designed to detect and destroy computer viruses)

 * antigovernment (opposed to the government)

 * antiestablishment (opposed to the conventional social, political, or economic principles of a society)

 * antiseptic (a substance that prevents the growth of disease-causing microorganisms)

 * anticlimactic (causing an anticlimax)

 * antiinflammatory (a drug or substance that reduces inflammation)

 * antitank (designed to destroy tanks)

 * antiwar (opposed to war)

 * anticlockwise (in the opposite direction to the hands of a clock)

 * antiparallel (lying or moving in opposite but parallel directions)

 * antivenom (a serum containing antibodies against a venom, used to treat bites or stings)

 * sub- (meaning: under, below)

   * submarine (under the sea)

   * subway (underground way)

   * subzero (below zero)

The prefix "sub-" primarily means:

 * under

 * below

 * beneath

 * secondary or lesser in importance

 * submarine (a vessel that travels under water)

 * subway (an underground railway system)

 * submerge (to go or put under water)

 * subzero (below zero, referring to temperature)

 * substandard (below the required or accepted standard)

 * subconscious (the part of the mind that is below the level of conscious awareness)

 * subdivide (to divide into smaller parts below the main division)

 * subtract (to take away a part from below a whole; to deduct)

 * substitute (a person or thing acting or serving in place of another)

 * subheading (a heading that is below a main heading)

 * subordinate (a person lower in rank or position)

 * subplot (a secondary plot that is below the main plot in importance)

 * subsoil (the layer of soil below the topsoil)

 * subtropical (relating to a region adjacent to or bordering on the tropics)

 * subtext (an underlying and often unstated meaning below the surface of a text)

 * subwoofer (a loudspeaker that reproduces very low bass frequencies)

 * subzero (below zero, as in temperature)

 * subculture (a cultural group within a larger culture)

 * substation (a station that provides secondary distribution of electrical power)

 * subway (an underground passage or tunnel)

 * inter- (meaning: between, among)

   * international (between nations)

   * interact (act among)

   * internet (network between)

The prefix "inter-" primarily means:

 * between

 * among

 * mutually

 * international (between or among different nations)

 * interact (to act between or among people/things; to communicate)

 * internet (a network between computer networks)

 * interstate (between states)

 * interview (a meeting between two or more people, often for a job or information gathering)

 * interrupt (to break between something in progress)

 * interchange (to exchange between each other)

 * interfere (to get between something or someone)

 * intergalactic (between galaxies)

 * interdisciplinary (involving two or more academic disciplines)

 * interconnect (to connect between things)

 * interpersonal (relating to relationships between people)

 * intertwine (to twist or weave together)

 * interval (a space or period of time between two events or points)

 * intercept (to take or seize something on its way)

 * intercoastal (between or among coasts)

 * interdependence (mutual dependence between things)

 * interlayer (a layer situated between other layers)

 * intermarriage (marriage between people of different groups)

 * intervention (the act of coming between to modify a situation)

 * super- (meaning: above, beyond, very large)

   * superstar (a star beyond ordinary)

   * superhuman (beyond human abilities)

   * supersize (very large size)

The prefix "super-" means:

 * above

 * over

 * beyond

 * larger or greater than normal

 * extra or excessive

 * superstar (a star beyond ordinary, extremely famous)

 * superhuman (having abilities beyond those of an ordinary human)

 * supervise (to look over or direct a task or person)

 * supermarket (a market that is larger than a regular market)

 * supernatural (existing above or outside the laws of nature)

 * superfast (extremely or excessively fast)

 * superpower (a nation with greatly superior international power and influence)

 * superimposed (placed over another thing so that both are still discernible)

 * superfine (extremely fine in quality or texture)

 * supercool (extremely cool, either in temperature or style)

 * superheating (heating a liquid above its boiling point without boiling)

 * superlative (of the highest quality or degree)

 * superstructure (a structure above or on top of another)

 * supercharge (to charge something excessively or powerfully)

 * superintendent (a person who supervises or manages an organization or building)

 * superhero (a fictional character with extraordinary powers, often fighting evil)

 * superdome (a very large dome-shaped building)

 * superhighway (a major road with multiple lanes for fast traffic)

 * supercell (a severe thunderstorm characterized by a rotating updraft)

 * superabundant (existing in excessively large quantities)

 * trans- (meaning: across, beyond)

   * transport (carry across)

   * transform (form across/change)

   * transatlantic (across the Atlantic)

The prefix "trans-" primarily means:

 * across

 * through

 * beyond

 * changing from one state/form to another

 * transport (to carry or move something across a place)

 * transform (to change something's form or nature across to another)

 * transatlantic (located across the Atlantic Ocean)

 * transfer (to move from one place to another)

 * transparent (allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen)

 * transcribe (to put thoughts, speech, or data into written or printed form)

 * transplant (to move something, especially living tissue or an organ, from one site to another)

 * transmit (to send or pass something from one person, place, or thing to another)

 * transaction (an instance of buying or selling something; a business deal)

 * transgender (denoting a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex)

 * transit (the act of passing through or over)

 * transfigure (to change the form or appearance of)

 * translate (to express the sense of words or text in another language)

 * translucent (allowing light to pass through, but not clearly)

 * transcontinental (extending across a continent)

 * transfuse (to transfer blood from one person or animal to another)

 * transgress (to go beyond the bounds of a moral principle or other established standard of behavior)

 * transistor (a semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power)

 * transmute (to change in form, nature, or substance)

 * transverse (extending across something)

 * mono- (meaning: one)

   * monotone (one tone)

   * monocycle (one wheel cycle)

   * monologue (speech by one person)

The prefix "mono-" always means:

 * one

 * single

 * monotone (a single, unchanging tone or pitch of voice)

 * monopoly (exclusive control by one company over a particular commodity or service)

 * monocycle (a vehicle with a single wheel)

 * monologue (a long speech by one person)

 * monorail (a railway in which the track consists of a single rail)

 * monochromatic (having or containing only one color)

 * monogamy (the practice or state of being married to one person at a time)

 * monolith (a single large block of stone)

 * mononucleosis (a viral disease characterized by an abnormally high proportion of monocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the blood)

 * monoplane (an aircraft with only one set of wings)

 * monosyllable (a word consisting of only one syllable)

 * monotheism (the belief in one god)

 * monocultural (having a single dominant culture)

 * monogram (a motif of two or more letters, typically a person's initials, interwoven or combined into one design)

 * monophonic (in music, consisting of a single melodic line without harmonic accompaniment)

 * monoprint (a single unique print from a matrix or plate)

 * monodirectional (moving or operating in one direction only)

 * monopole (a magnet or particle that has only one magnetic pole, rather than two)

 * monovalent (having a combining power of one)

 * monogamous (practicing or characterized by monogamy)

 * bi- (meaning: two)

   * bicycle (two wheels)

   * bilingual (two languages)

   * binoculars (two eyes)

The prefix "bi-" always means:

 * two

 * twice

 * occurring every two

 * bicycle (a vehicle with two wheels)

 * bilingual (able to speak two languages)

 * binoculars (an optical instrument with two eyepieces, one for each eye)

 * biweekly (occurring or appearing every two weeks, or twice a week)

 * bimonthly (occurring or appearing every two months, or twice a month)

 * biped (an animal that uses two legs for walking)

 * bipolar (having two poles or extremes; a mood disorder with two extreme phases)

 * bilateral (involving two sides, parties, or countries)

 * bisect (to divide into two equal parts)

 * binary (relating to or composed of two things or parts)

 * biplane (an aircraft with two sets of wings, one above the other)

 * bipartisan (involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties)

 * bicarbonate (a salt containing two atoms of carbon)

 * bicentennial (the two-hundredth anniversary of an event)

 * bivalve (a mollusk with two shells, like a clam)

 * binomial (an algebraic expression consisting of two terms)

 * bifocal (having two different optical powers, typically for near and far vision)

 * bisect (to cut or divide into two parts)

 * bigender (identifying with two genders)

 * biangular (having two angles)

 * tri- (meaning: three)

   * triangle (three angles)

   * tricycle (three wheels)

   * tripod (three feet)

The prefix "tri-" always means:

 * three

 * triangle (a shape with three angles and three sides)

 * tricycle (a vehicle with three wheels)

 * tripod (a stand or support with three legs)

 * tricolor (having three colors)

 * trio (a group of three people or things)

 * triple (to multiply by three; three times the amount)

 * trident (a three-pronged spear)

 * trilingual (able to speak three languages)

 * trimester (a period of three months, often used in academic calendars)

 * triathlon (an athletic contest comprising three different events, typically swimming, cycling, and long-distance running)

 * triennial (occurring every three years)

 * triple-decker (a sandwich or bus with three layers/decks)

 * trisect (to divide into three equal parts)

 * triumvirate (a group of three men holding power)

 * triplex (a building divided into three separate dwellings)

 * triangle (a percussion instrument consisting of a three-sided metal bar)

 * triplicate (to make three copies of something)

 * trilateral (involving three sides, parties, or countries)

 * Triassic (the first period of the Mesozoic Era, characterized by the appearance of the first dinosaurs)

 * tricycle (a percussion instrument, shaped like a triangle, that is struck with a metal rod)