Prefixes and suffixes are essential for building a strong English vocabulary. These word parts, when added to the beginning or end of a root word, create new words and meanings. Mastering prefixes and suffixes not only enhances your understanding of word formation but also strengthens your overall grasp of the language. Expanding your vocabulary through these word elements allows you to communicate more effectively in both writing and speech.
Prefixes and suffixes
A prefix is a group of letters that is put before a word to form a new word with a new meaning.
| Prefix | Word | New word |
| Re | think | Rethink |
| Mis | behave | Misbehave |
| Semi | circle | Semicircle |
| Im | possible | Impossible |
| Pre | view | Preview |
| Dis | obey | Disobey |
| In | justice | Injustice |
| Tri | cycle | Tricycle |
| Un | able | Unable |
| ir | relevant | Irrelevant |
A suffix is a group of letters that is added after a word to form a new word with a new meaning.
| Word | Suffix | New word |
| Collect | ion | Collection |
| Kind | ness | Kindness |
| Hard | en | Harden |
| Hope | ful | Hopeful |
| Follow | er | Follower |
| Convert | ible | Convertible |
| Bad | ly | Badly |
| Beak | able | Breakable |
| Care | less | Careless |
| Enjoy | ment | Enjoyment |
Here are meanings of some common prefixes and suffixes.
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
| Anti- | against | antinarcotics |
| Dis- | not or removal | disappear, dismount |
| Inter- | between | interact |
| Non- | without | nonfat |
| Pre- | before | preview |
| semi- | half | semicircle |
| Un- | opposite | unhappy |
| Post- | after | postwar |
| Tri- | three | tricycle |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| -able | capable of being | solvable |
| -less | without | motionless |
| -ful | full of | cheerful |
| -en | to do, made of, become | fasten, woolen, strengthen |
| -ness | state of being | heaviness |
| -holic | one who is obsessed | workaholic |
| -tion | state or quality of | attention |
| -ist | profession | artist |
| -ment | action or process of | movement |
| -fy | the process of making into | amplify |
Some more examples
| Prefixes | Suffixes |
| Antisocial | Loudly |
| Defrost | Believable |
| Misjudge | Stronger |
| Impure | Wooden |
| Disown | Joyous |
| Explode | Delightful |
| Proactive | Reversible |
| Prepaid | Direction |
| Incorrect | Restless |
| Unusual | Softness |
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