PREFIXES

 

Prefix is a syllable which is added before a word to qualify that word or to form a new word. Most of prefixes in English are taken from Latin and Greek and some from old English; as:-

A (on): Asleep, Aloft, Ashore, Adrift, Aside, Aright, Away, etc.

Ambi (on both sides): Ambidextrous, Ambivalent, Ambiguous, etc.

Ante (before): Antechamber, Antedate, Antenatal, Antecedent, etc.

Anti (against): Antidote, Anti-Craft, Anti-Indian, Anti-Social, Anti-National, etc.

Arch (chief): Arch-Bishop, Arch-Enemy, Arch-Villain, Arch-Hypocrite, etc.

Auto (self): Autobiography, Autocrat, Automobile, Autosuggestion, Automatic, Autograph, etc.

Bene (well): Benediction, Benevolent, Benefactor, Benefit, Beneficent, etc.

Bi (two, twice): Bicycle, Bilateral, Bigamy, Biweekly, Biennial, Bisect, etc.

Circum (around): Circumference, Circumvent, Circumnavigation, Circumstance, Circumscribe, etc.

Co (with): Co-operate, Co-ordinate, Co-existence, Coalition, Coequality, etc.

Contra, Counter (against): Contradict, Contraband, Contraceptive, Contravene, Controversy, Counteract, Counterbalance, Counter-Attack, etc.

De (down): Dethrone, Defame, Demoralize, Denationalize, Degrade, etc.

Demi (half): Demigod, Demi-Official, Demi-Paradise, demisemiquaver, etc.

Dis (apart): Disconnect, Discord, Disorganize, Disparity, Dispassionate, etc.

En, Em (in, on): Endanger, Engulf, Enable, Enrage, Enlist, Embolden, Embody, Embark, etc.

Equi (equally): Equilateral, Equidistant, Equilibrium, Equivalent, Equiangular, etc.

Ex (out of): Expel, Extract, Extend, Express, Exhale, Extinguish, etc.

Extra (beyond): Extraordinary, Extravagant, Extramural, Extra-Territorial, etc.

Hetero (different): Heterodox, Heterogeneous, etc.

Hexa (six):  Hexagon, Hexameter, etc.

Hyper (over): Hypercritical, Hypersensitive, Hypertension, Hyperactive, etc.

In, Il, Im, Ir (not): Indecent, Invisible, Incurable, Indelible, Illegal, Illegible, Illiterate, Illogical, Immaterial, Impracticable, Impious, Improper, Irregular, Irrational, Irresponsible, Irresistible, etc.

Inter (between): International, Inter-caste, Interrelation, Interview, etc.

Intra (within): Intramural, Intravenous, Intramuscular, Intrauterine, etc.

Male, Mali, Mal (ill, evil): Malefactor, Malevolent, Malignant, Malicious, Maltreat, Malpractice, Malnutrition, etc.

Mis (ill): Mischief, Misrule, Mismanage, Misappropriate, etc.

Mis (error): Mislead, Mishap, Misconduct, Mistrust, etc.

Mono (alone): Monogamy, Monopoly, Monotheism, Monotony, etc.

Non (not): Non-violence, Nonsense, Nonentity, Non-co-operate, Non-alcoholic, etc.

Omni (all): Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omnivorous, Omniscient, etc.

Over (too much): Overfed, Overjoyed, Overbear, Overact, etc.

Pan (all): Panacea, Pandemonium, Pan-American, Panchromatic, etc.

Philo, Phil (love): Philosophy, Philanthropy, Philander, Philharmonic,etc.

Poly (many): Polygamy, Polytheism, Polyandry, Polysyllabic, Polychrome, etc.

Post (after):  Post-War, Postscript, Post-Mortem, Post-dated, Postnatal, etc.

Pre (before): Pre-war, Prejudge, Precaution, Premature, Prehistoric, Prepaid, etc.

Pro (for): Pro-American, Pro-Chancellor, Pro-Communist, etc.

Pseudo (false): Pseudo-Classic, Pseudo-Critic, Pseudo-Scientist, Pseudonym, etc.

Re (again): Return, Refund, Revive, Recount, Research, etc.

Semi (half):  Semicolon, Semi-Official, Semi-Circular, Semi-Final, etc.

Sub (under): Subconscious, Sub-human, Sub-committee, Sub-caste; etc.

Super, Sur (over): Superman, Superhuman, Super-Fine, Surcharge, Surplus, etc.

Trans, Tra (across): Transfer, Transit, Translate, Transcribe, Traverse, etc.

Tri (three): Tricycle, Trinity, Triangle, Tricolour, Triceps, etc.

Ultra (beyond): Ultramodern, Ultraviolet, Ultra-Marine, Ultrasonic, etc.

Un (not): Unable, Unnatural, Unbalanced, Untaxed, etc.

Un (back, against): Undo, Unkind, Unbind, Unearth, Unable, etc.

Vice (in place of): Vice-President, Viceroy, Vice-Principal, Vice Admiral, etc.