Prefixes

PREFIXES - A prefix can either be a syllable or a small word which is put in front of a root word to change its meaning. Most prefixes that we use today originated from Greek (anti = against), Latin (sub = under) or Old English (mis = wrong). The main prefixes with their meanings and examples are listed below:-

                              a- (on) - ashore, asleep

                              ab- (away from) - about, abduct

                              ad- (to) - adverb, address

                              ante- (before) - antenatal, antechamber

                              anti- (opposite, against) - antibiotic, anticlockwise

                              arch- (chief) - archbishop, arch-enemy

                              auto- (self) - autograph, automatic

                              be- (make) - befriend, belief

                              bene- (make good) - benefit, benevolence

                              bi- (two of) - bicycle, binoculars

                              bis- (twice) - bisect, bison

                              circum- (around) - circumference, circumstance

                              co- (with) - co-ordinates, co-educational

                              com- (with) - combine, complete

                              con- (with) - concentrate, conclude

                              contra- (against) - contradict, contravene

                              counter- (against) - counterpart, counterfeit

                              de- (away) - decompose, descend

                              dec- (ten) - decimal, decagon

                              dis- (negative) - disappoint, disgusting

For more information on Prefixes and other English terms, please refer to the Primary English Directory