Prefixes

A prefix is a group of letters added at the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Learning about prefixes can help you understand the meanings of many words and improve your vocabulary.

Common Prefixes

• pre-: means "before" (e.g. preheat, prepay)
• re-: means "again" or "back" (e.g. replay, rewrite)
• un-: means "not" or "opposite of" (e.g. unhappy, unclear)
• dis-: means "opposite of" or "not" (e.g. dislike, disconnect)
• mis-: means "wrongly" or "badly" (e.g. misunderstand, misbehave)
• bi-: means "two" (e.g. bicycle, bilingual)
• tri-: means "three" (e.g. tricycle, triangle)

Study Tips for Prefixes

Here are some tips to help you remember prefixes:

1. Practice identifying prefixes in different words.
2. Use flashcards to memorize common prefixes and their meanings.
3. Read books and try to spot words with prefixes in them.
4. Play word games that focus on prefixes to make learning fun.

Prefixes in Action

Now that you know about prefixes, try to identify the prefixes in the following words:

• unhappy
• replay
• biweekly
• misunderstand

Understanding prefixes can make it easier to figure out the meanings of new words. Keep practicing and soon you'll be a pro at using prefixes!

[Prefixes] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Root WordsEnglish Language Arts • Second Grade
• SuffixesEnglish Language Arts • Second Grade
• AbbreviationsEnglish Language Arts • Second Grade
• Organic ChemistryChemistry • High School
• Word Meaning with Prefixes/SuffixesEnglish Language Arts • Third Grade
• Roots/Prefixes/SuffixesEnglish Language Arts • Fourth Grade