Prefixes and suffixes are essential tools in the English language that modify the meaning of base words.
- Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. For example, the prefix “un-“ in “unhappy” means “not”, changing the meaning to “not happy”. Another example is “re-“, as in “rewrite”, meaning “again”—to write again.
- Suffixes are added to the end of a word, often changing its grammatical form. For instance, the suffix “-ness” in “happiness” turns the adjective “happy” into a noun, indicating the state of being happy. Similarly, “-ful” in “joyful” means “full of”, changing the meaning to “full of joy”.
Both prefixes and suffixes are important for expanding vocabulary, as they help in creating new words and understanding the meaning of unfamiliar ones.
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
| a- | not | atypical |
| anti- | against | antifascist |
| bi- | two | biannual |
| counter- | against, opposite | counterfeit |
| de- | remove, reverse | deregulate |
| dis- | opposite, reverse, not | disagree |
| extra- | beyond, outside | extraterrestrial |
| fore- | before | forefather |
| in- | not | invisible |
| inter- | between | intermingle |
| mal- | bad | maltreatment |
| mis- | not, wrong | miscomprehend |
| neo- | new | neoconservative |
| non- | not | nonstarter |
| over- | excessive | overspend |
| post- | after | postscript |
| pre- | before | precolonial |
| proto- | first, primitive | prototype |
| re- | repeat | reread |
| sub- | under | submarine |
| tele- | distant | teleport |
| trans- | across | transcontinental |
| tri- | three | tricycle |
| un- | remove, reverse | untie |
| uni- | one | unilateral |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| -able | capable of | inflatable |
| -ant | type of person | assistant |
| -athon | long-lasting | marathon |
| -cide | killing | infanticide |
| -dom | state of being | freedom |
| -er | doer of an action | worker |
| -ery | type of work | bakery |
| -ess | female of | heiress |
| -esque | reminiscent of | picturesque |
| -ette | small version of | kitchenette |
| -fest | indulgence in | chatfest |
| -fy | to make | electrify |
| -hood | state, quality | childhood |
| -ible | ability | reliable |
| -ish | a little | squeamish |
| -ism | condition or doctrine | feminism |
| -ist | type of person | florist |
| -less | without | penniless |
| -ly | in a manner of | quickly |
| -ous | full of | joyous |
| -wash | changing the appearance of | whitewash |