Prefixes are useful for determining the meanings of words. Even the word “prefix” has a prefix in it! Prefixes tell you about a word, right from the start. This prefix rap song reviews common prefixes including non-, un-, il-, dis-, anti-, inter-, re-, tele-, semi- and fore-.
A prefix is a letter or group of letters placed before the beginning of a word that can change the word's meaning. Sometimes prefixes are separated from the word with a hyphen, sometimes not. Sometimes prefixes have different meanings, but most of the time you can count on them to mean the same thing. So if you are able to identify the prefix of a word, you can make a strong educated guess at the word's meaning.
This song covers some of the most common prefixes in the English language, along with words that include the prefix.
There are a lot of prefixes that mean "not." The prefix
non- is one of them. So when it comes at the beginning of another word, the meaning will be the opposite of the root word. For example, a
nontraditional school is
not traditional.
Nonsense is something that doesn't make sense.
Nonexistent things don't exist.
Non-fiction is true.
What do you think nonsmoker means?
There are a lot of prefixes that mean "not." The prefix
un- is one of the most commonly found ones. So when it comes at the beginning of another word, the meaning will be the opposite of the root word. For example, something
unusual doesn't happen very often, or not usually.
Unfriendly people are not nice.
Unclear ideas are hard to understand.
Unwell people are sick.
What do you think unpopular means?
Il-,
In-,
Im- and
Ir- are other common prefixes that means "not." When they comes at the beginning of a word, the meaning is the opposite of the root word. While the prefix "in-" is used before words with many letters, "Il-" comes before words starting with "l", "Ir-" comes before words starting with "r" and "Im-" mostly comes before words starting with "m" and "p."
Indestructible items cannot be destroyed.
Immature kids are not mature.
Irresistible people simply cannot be resisted.
What do you think illegal means?
The prefixes
dis- and
de- also mean "not," or let you know that the new word now has the opposite meaning of the root word. For example, if you
disapprove of what someone is doing, you do not approve of the action.
Decomposing plants are becoming less composed.
Distrustful people do not trust others.
Disassembled toys are no longer assembled or put together.
What do you think deplane means?
The prefix
anti- means against. In a word, it goes before the thing that a person is against. For example, a person who is anti-war is against war.
Anti-aging skin cream is supposed to make you look younger.
Antidepressants fight against depression.
Anticlimactic events are anything other than climactic or exciting.
What do you think antifreeze means?
The prefix
"inter" means between. For example,
interstate highways run between different states.
If you
intercept a secret message, you come between the people who were supposed to read it.
Interfaith marriage is when people of two different religions get married.
Intermediate is the middle, or in between, level.
Intersession is a break between school sessions.
What do you think interracial means?
The prefix
re- means again. For example, if you
reapplied to college, you'd be doing it for the second (or third or fourth) time.
If you
refastened you jacket, it would mean that it had come undone and you had to close it again.
A builder might
reroof your house if the current one is leaking.
A
reunion is when a group of people get together, or unite, again.
What do you think reheat means?
The word prefix actually has a prefix in it:
pre-. Pre- means before, and you can easily remember it because it comes at the beginning of a word. So before you're a teenager, you're a
preteen.
The
pre-clean cycle on a washing machine happens before the main cycle.
Predawn activities happen before the sun rises.
Predecessors are the people who came before you.
What do you think pre-school means?
Our modern English language is a product of many older language. We take parts of our words from Greek, Latin, German, French and Old English. Many prefixes and suffixes come from Latin and Greek. Re- comes from Latin, while di- comes from Greek. And sometimes there is overlap: Hemi- and semi- both mean half, but hemi- derives from the Greek and semi- comes from from the Latin.
The prefix
macro- means that something is large. The opposite prefix is
micro-, which means that something is small. For example,
macroeconomics refers to the study of large countrywide economies, while
microeconomics looks at smaller personal economic decisions.
A
macrocosm refers to a larger world, whereas a
microcosm refers to a small aspect of something.
A
macrobiotic diet refers to eating large, whole-grained foods.
A
microwave uses very tiny waves to cook your food.
What do you think microscope means?
The prefix
mono- means one. A synonym prefix is
uni-, which also means one. For example, in a
monopoly, only one person or company owns everything. A
unicycle has one wheel.
A
monogamist is someone who is true to his or her one and only love.
A word that is
monosyllabic has only one syllable.
Monotheistic people believe in one god.
What do you think monocle means?
The prefix
tele- means "distant." For example, a
telescope lets you see planets that are very far away.
Tele- often implies that something is being transmitted across a great distance.
A
telephone lets you talk to someone far away.
A
telegraph was an invention that allowed people to send text messages to each other way before the cell phone came around.
A
television literally allows you to see someone who is far away.
What do you think telecommute means?
The prefix
semi- means half or partway. For example, the
semifinals of a sports match are just before the finals.
In music, a
semitone is half of a musical step or interval.
What do you think semicircle means?
The prefix
fore- means "in front of" or before. For example, your
forehead is in front of your face.
Forefathers are ancestors who came before you.
If you can
foresee the future, you can look ahead...and then
forewarn people about bad stuff coming their way.
What do you think forerunner means?
The prefix
over- means "more than" or "on top of." For example, an
overachiever achieves more than they need to, and an
overcoat goes over your clothing.
If you were
overcharged on a purchase, you paid too much.
An
overdramatic person is being too dramatic.
If you
over-think a problem, you are thinking about it too much.
What do you think overcooked means?
