List Of prefix with definition and meaning and examples

What Are Prefixes in English-Definition and Examples

Meaning Of Prefix

A prefix is a morpheme (a meaningful linguistic unit) that is attached to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. It is a type of affix, which is a grammatical element that is added to a word to alter its meaning or form.

Prefixes can be used to:

1. 1.Change Meaning: They can alter the meaning of the base word. For example, adding the prefix "un-" to "happy" creates "unhappy," meaning not happy. 2.Create Opposites: They often create antonyms (opposite words) by negating the meaning of the base word. For instance, "comfortable" becomes "uncomfortable" when the prefix "un-" is added. 3.Indicate Position or Direction: Some prefixes indicate the position, direction, or location of an action or state. For example, "sub-" means under or beneath, as in "submarine" (underwater vehicle). 4.Show Amount or Degree: Certain prefixes indicate quantity or degree. For example, "super-" means above or beyond, as in "superior" (higher in quality). 5.Express Time: Some prefixes convey information about time. For instance, "pre-" means before, as in "preview" (a showing before the official release). 6.Demonstrate Intensity: Prefixes can add intensity or emphasis to a word. For example, "hyper-" means over or excessive, as in "hyperactive" (excessively active). 7.Indicate Negation: Many prefixes denote a negation or absence of the base word's meaning. For example, "non-" means not, as in "nonexistent" (does not exist). 8.Specify Group or Category: Some prefixes indicate a group, class, or category. For instance, "macro-" refers to large or on a large scale, as in "macroeconomics" (the study of large-scale economic systems).

Remember that the meaning of a prefix can change depending on the context and the specific word it is attached to. It's important to understand the meaning of common prefixes to help decipher unfamiliar words and expand your vocabulary.

Here are some common prefixes with examples:

1. 1. Un-

      • Example: Unhappy (not happy)

   2. Re-

      • Example: Rewrite (write again)

   3. Pre-

      • Example: Preheat (heat beforehand)

   4. Mis-

      • Example: Misunderstand (understand incorrectly)

   5. Dis-

      • Example: Disagree (not agree)

   6. In- (or Im-, Il-, Ir-)

      • Example: Incomplete (not complete)

   7. Non-

      • Example: Nonexistent (does not exist)

   8. Sub-

      • Example: Submarine (underwater vehicle)

   9. Super-

      • Example: Superior (higher in quality)

   10. Anti-

       • Example: Antifungal (against fungi)

   11. Auto-

       • Example: Autobiography (writing about oneself)

   12. Co-

       • Example: Coexist (exist together)

   13. Multi-

       • Example: Multinational (involving multiple nations)

   14. Bi-

       • Example: Bilingual (speaking two languages)

   15. Tri-

       • Example: Tricycle (a vehicle with three wheels)

   16. Post-

       • Example: Postpone (to delay until a later time)

   17. Over-

       • Example: Overwhelm (to be overcome by a large amount)

   18. Under-

       • Example: Underestimate (to underestimate someone's abilities)

   19. Hyper-

       • Example: Hyperactive (excessively active)

   20. Micro-

       • Example: Microscope (a device for viewing small objects)

   21. Tele-

       • Example: Telephone (a device for distant communication)

   22. A- (or An-)

       • Example: Apathetic (lacking interest or emotion)

   23. Mono-

       • Example: Monochrome (having a single color)

   24. Poly-

       • Example: Polygon (a shape with many sides)

   25. Homo-

       • Example: Homogeneous (of the same kind)

   26. Hetero-

       • Example: Heterogeneous (of different kinds)

   27. E-

       • Example: Email (electronic mail)

   28. Bio-

       • Example: Biology (the study of living organisms)

   29. Geo-

       • Example: Geography (the study of the Earth's features)

   30. Ex-

       • Example: Exit (to go out)

   These examples should give you a good sense of how prefixes modify the meanings of words. Keep in mind that there are many more prefixes in the English language, each contributing to a rich and diverse vocabulary.

A "prefix word" is a term used to describe a word that has a prefix attached to it. A prefix is a morpheme (a meaningful linguistic unit) that is added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning.

For example, in the word "unhappiness," "un-" is the prefix. It changes the meaning of the base word "happiness" to indicate the opposite, creating a word that means not happy.

Here are a few more examples of prefix words:

1. Misunderstand (mis- + understand)
2. Preheat (pre- + heat)
3. Disagree (dis- + agree)
4. Antifungal (anti- + fungal)
5. Submarine (sub- + marine)

In each of these examples, the prefix modifies the meaning of the base word, resulting in a word with a different or more specific meaning.