Prefixes
A prefix is a group of letters placed before the root of a word. For example, the word “unhappy” consists of the prefix “un-” [which means “not”] combined with the root (or stem) word “happy”; the word “unhappy” means “not happy.”
A short list of prefixes:
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| de- | from, down, away, reverse, opposite | decode, decrease |
| dis- | not, opposite, reverse, away | disagree, disappear |
| ex- | out of, away from, lacking, former | exhale, explosion |
| il- | not | illegal, illogical |
| im- | not, without | impossible, improper |
| in- | not, without | inaction, invisible |
| mis- | bad, wrong | mislead, misplace |
| non- | not | nonfiction, nonsense |
| pre- | before | prefix, prehistory |
| pro- | for, forward, before | proactive, profess, program |
| re- | again, back | react, reappear |
| un- | against, not, opposite | undo, unequal, unusual |
Suffixes
A suffix is a group of letters placed after the root of a word. For example, the word flavorless consists of the root word “flavor” combined with the suffix “-less” [which means “without”]; the word “flavorless” means “having no flavor.”
A short list of suffixes:
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -able | able to, having the quality of | comfortable, portable |
| -al | relating to | annual comical |
| -er | comparative | bigger, stronger |
| -est | superlative | strongest, tiniest |
| -ful | full of | beautiful, grateful |
| -ible | forming an adjective | reversible, terrible |
| -ily | forming an adverb | eerily, happily, lazily |
| -ing | denoting an action, a material, or a gerund | acting, showing |
| -less | without, not affected by | friendless, tireless |
| -ly | forming an adjective | clearly, hourly |
| -ness | denoting a state or condition | kindness, wilderness |
| -y | full of, denoting a condition, or a diminutive | glory, messy, victory |
Prefix and Suffix Activities and Worksheets
Match each prefix to a root word to make a common word. Then circle the prefixes and define them. Or go to the answers (site members only).
Match each prefix to a root word to make a common word. Then circle the prefixes and define them. Or go to the answers (site members only).
Match each prefix to a root word to make a common word. Then circle the prefixes and define them. Or go to the answers (site members only).
Use the bank of prefixes to complete each word. There may be more than one answer for some words. The prefixes are: de-, dis-, ex-, il-, im-, in-, mis-, non-, pre-, re-, un-, and with-. Or go to the answers.
Use the bank of prefixes to complete each word. There may be more than one answer for some words. The prefixes are: de-, dis-, ex-, im-, in-, mis-, non-, pre-, pro-, re-, un-, and uni-. Or go to the answers (site members only).
Use the bank of prefixes and suffixes to complete each word. There may be more than one answer for some words. Or go to the answers (site members only).
Use the bank of prefixes and suffixes to complete each word. There may be more than one answer for some words. Or go to the answers (site members only).
For each prefix, write a word or words that begins with that prefix. Write as many as you can! The prefixes are: anti-, de-, dis-, ex-, il-, im-, in-, non-, over-, pre-, re-, sub-, tri-, un-, with-. Or go to sample answers (site members only).
For each prefix, write a word or words that begins with that prefix. Write as many as you can! The prefixes are: con-, com-, geo-, inter-, mal-, mega-, micro-, mis-, para-, poly-, over-, post-, tele-, therm-, trans-. Or go to sample answers (site members only).
For each prefix, write a word or words that begins with that prefix. Write as many as you can! The prefixes are: auto-, bi-, bio-, centi-, counter-, fore-, inter-, mid-, milli-, out-, para-, photo-, semi-, under-, uni-. Or go to sample answers (site members only).
For each prefix, write its definition, and find as many words as you can that begin with that prefix. The prefixes are: anti-, auto-, counter-, de-, dis-, ex-, il-, in-, mis-, non-, over-, pre-, pro-, re-, un-. Or go to sample answers (site members only).
For each number prefix, write its definition, and find as many words as you can that begin with that prefix. The prefixes are: bi-, centi-, dec-, deci-, hexa-, milli-, mono-, multi-, nona-, penta-, poly-, quadra-, quint-, tri-, uni-. Or go to sample answers (site members only).