What is a Prefix?

We often use prefixes in everyday speech, unaware of the substantial effect they have on the meaning of each word. Prefixes are small, yet powerful components of language that when combined with a word’s base or root, create a new meaning. Oftentimes, they can be used to change the entirety of a sentence’s sentiment.

A Definition of Prefix

A prefix is a part of a word added before the word’s main body or stem. It is a unit of language that appears as a set of letters at the beginning of a word and is linguistically connected to the base word to change its expected meaning. Prefixes and suffixes are two of the most common types of word affixes, the linguistic term used to describe added letters or sounds at either end of a word.

Examples of Prefixes

Prefixes often indicate direction, negative or positive connotations, and number or size. Popular prefixes include:

• Un – This prefix indicates the opposite meaning or measures incompletion or intangibility. For example, uninvited, undo, and unreliable are all words spelled with un.

• Pre – This prefix typically implies events that occur before something else. Some examples of words that begin with pre are:
preheat, predetermine, and prepaid.

• Re – This prefix indicates events that occur again. Reheat, renew, and redeem are some examples of words with re.

• Dis – This prefix typically indicates negation or removal, such as disbelieve, disable, and disrespect.

• In – Contrary to its sister prefix un, in indicates inclusion, often of a smaller entity being encompassed by a whole. It frequently appears in words like independent, incompatible, and insert.

• Sub – This prefix implies an element or lesser group beneath or below the greater or higher group. Examples of words spelled with sub include: subtropical, substandard, and submarine.

The Use of Prefixes

Prefixes are an invaluable word building tool, allowing speakers to quickly and effectively create different words with little effort. Prefixes open pathways for writers to create new meanings with existing words, sometimes changing an entire phrase or concept. They are undeniably useful components of the English language, allowing writers to easily and expediently convey the information they wish to share.