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Prefixes play a very important role in increasing our vocabulary by adding new meanings to words. Understanding prefixes is like unlocking a treasure of linguistic possibilities.

In this blog post, we will explore the prefix meaning, their relationship with suffixes, common prefixes, and suffixes, and delve into specific examples to understand their meaning in comparison and superlative degrees. So, let’s start this linguistic journey and discover the interesting world of prefixes!

What is Prefix?

A prefix is a group of letters that we add to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. It’s like a little tag that we put in front of the word. A prefix definition is simply the meaning of the prefix that we add to a word.

For example,

Let’s take the word “happy”. If we add the prefix “Un” + “Happy” to it. It becomes “Unhappy“. The prefix “Un” changes the
meaning of the word “happy“. It gives the opposite meaning of “not happy”.

1) People are unhappy with their jobs at present.

These are a very important part of word formation. These can change the word’s sense, meaning, or even its part of speech. By understanding the meaning of various prefixes, we can easily know the message behind difficult words.

Relationship of Common Suffixes and Prefixes

While prefixes are added at the beginning of a word, suffixes, on the other hand, are attached to the end. Together, they form a new word, transforming base words into new words with different meanings or grammatical functions. By mastering both prefixes and suffixes, we can unlock a vast box of vocabulary possibilities.

Common Prefixes and Suffixes

“Un-” means not or opposite

Unhappy: She felt unhappy after receiving the disappointing news.

Unforgettable: The vacation was an unforgettable experience.

“Re-” means again or back

Rewrite: The author decided to rewrite the entire chapter for better clarity. Revisit: Let’s revisit the topic during our next meeting.

“Mis-” means wrong or incorrectly

Misunderstand: My friends can never misunderstand me.

Mismatch: Her shoes and dress were a complete mismatch.

“Pre-” means before or in advance

Preorder: I decided to pre-order the latest book by my favorite author.

Preemptive: The government took preemptive measures to prevent a crisis.

“Over-” means excessive or above

Overload: I have too much work; it’s an overload.

Overcome: Despite the challenges, she managed to overcome her fears.

“Sub-” means under or below

Submarine: The submersible explored the depths of the ocean.

Substandard: The product was of substandard quality and had many flaws.

“Inter-” means between or among

Interact: The students were encouraged to interact and share their ideas.

Intercontinental: They embarked on an intercontinental journey.

“Multi-” means many or multiple

Multicultural: The city is known for its multicultural community.

Multitask: She can efficiently multitask and handle various responsibilities.

“Post-” means after or later

Postpone: Due to bad weather, the event had to be postponed.

Postgraduate: He decided to pursue a postgraduate degree in engineering.

Prefix “dis” meaning and examples

The prefix “dis-” often signifies negation (Not) or reversal. For instance, “disapprove” means to not approve.

For example,

“Dis-” means not or opposite

Disagree: They tend to disagree on many political issues.

Dislike: I strongly dislike mushrooms; they have a strange taste.

Prefix Non

The prefix “non-” denotes the absence or negation of something. Examples include “nonsmoker” (a person who doesn’t smoke), “nonexistent” (something that doesn’t exist), and “nonverbal” (communication without words).

Prefix Non Examples

To better understand the impact of prefixes, it’s essential to explore non-examples where the absence of a prefix alters the meaning. For instance, “sense” means perception, but adding the prefix “non-” transforms it into “nonsense,” meaning a lack of logical meaning or coherence.

Some common suffixes

“-Able” means capable of or worthy of

Comfortable: The couch was so comfortable that I fell asleep.

Adorable: The puppy was absolutely adorable with its wagging tail.

“-Er” means one who or comparative

Teacher: Mrs. Smith is an excellent teacher who inspires her students.

Faster: She ran faster than anyone else in the race.

“-Ful” means full of or characterized by

Beautiful: The sunset painted the sky with beautiful colors.

Playful: The kittens were energetic and playful, chasing each other around.

“-Ing” forming present participles and gerunds

Running: I enjoy running in the morning; it energizes me for the day.

Singing: She has a beautiful singing voice and performs in a choir.

“-Ly” forming adverbs

Happily: They danced happily in celebration of their success.

“-Ment” means the act of or a result of

Development: The city has undergone significant development in recent years.

Achievement: Winning the award was a great achievement for her.

“-Ness” indicates a state or quality

Kindness: His kindness towards others is commendable.

Happiness: Finding true happiness is a lifelong pursuit for many.

“-S” forming
plural nouns or third-person singular verbs

Cats: The cats played in the backyard.

Runs: Roshan runs at 5 O’clock.

“-Tion” and “-Sion” forming nouns from verbs

Information: The website provides valuable information on various topics.

Decision: Making an important decision requires careful consideration.

“-Ize” or “-Ise” forming verbs meaning to make or to become

Organize: She needs to organize her schedule for the week.

Realize: I suddenly realized I had left my keys at home.

Conclusion

Understanding the meaning and usage of prefixes and suffix words is the best way to remember vocabulary, unlock new meanings, and increase our overall language skills. Prefixes are powerful words that allow us to expand our vocabulary and communicate more precisely.

In this blog post, we have covered the definition of prefixes, their relationship with suffixes, common prefixes, and suffixes, and explored specific examples highlighting the importance of prefixes in word formation. Remember, the next time you encounter a new word, pay attention to its prefixes and unlock a world of meaning!