What are prefixes?

Prefixes and suffixes are types of affixes, which are morphemes added to a base
word to modify its meaning. Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word, while
suffixes are added to the end.

In English, the most common prefixes and suffixes are usually one or two syllables
long, although some, like hetero- and megalo-, are three.

Prefixes always have the same meaning no matter what base word they’re
attached to. For example, the prefix re- always means “to do something again”:
when used in reread, it means “to read again”; when it’s used in rebuild, it means
“to build again.”

When to use prefixes.?

Prefixes are used mainly to shorten phrases into a single word. For example,
instead of saying that someone is “achieving more than expected,” you can say
simply that they’re “overachieving,” thanks to the prefix over-. In writing, prefixes
are one of the best ways to streamline text and make it more potent.

Prefixes are also important in academic disciplines, specifically to classify subjects.

For example, biology is the study of living organisms, based on the prefix bio-,
meaning “life,” but geology is the study of rocks and other earth minerals, based
on the prefix geo-, meaning “relating to the earth.”

Just be careful using prefixed words with a negative that you don’t create a
double negative. Some prefixes, like a-, in-, or un-, are already negative. That
means if you say “not unnecessary,” the two negatives cancel each other out, and
the meaning is simply “necessary.”

Prefixes and hyphens

From a grammar perspective, the most confusing part about using prefixes is
when to use hyphens after them. Basically, some prefixed words use hyphens,
and some don’t. To help you understand when to use hyphens with prefixes, here
are some basic rules: Use a hyphen with the prefixes all-, ex– (former), and self–

The prefixes all-, ex-, and self- use a hyphen.

an all-knowing deity

my ex-partner

a self-aware creature

However, be careful with ex- because it has two different meanings—“out from,”
and “in the past.” Use a hyphen only when the meaning of ex- is “former” or “in
the past.”

exterminator

ex-exterminator (a former exterminator)

Also note that the prefix extra– is different from the prefix ex-, even though they
start with the same two letters. The prefix extra- does not need a hyphen like the
prefix ex-.

extraterrestrial
Use a hyphen for prefixes with a proper noun
If you’re using a prefix with proper nouns, always use a hyphen.

a trans-Pacific flight

pro-Ukraine

The only exception is transatlantic, a unique word that does not follow the rules
of proper nouns.

Use a hyphen if adding the prefix spells a different word

Some words with prefixes, especially re-, are easily confused with other,
preexisting words that happen to start with the same letters. If adding a prefix to
a word creates a word that already exists, use a hyphen to clear up the ambiguity.

After she recovers from the flu, the gardener needs to re-cover the flower beds.

Use a hyphen to avoid putting the same vowels together

Most of the time, if the last letter of a prefix and the first letter of the base word
are the same vowel, you use a hyphen.

re-enter

semi-independent

However, keep in mind this rule has exceptions. In particular, some prefixed
words with pairs of o and e do not require a hyphen.

cooperate

preexisting

When a prefix is added to a word that starts with a different vowel, you do not
usually use a hyphen.

reappraise

hydroelectric

Remembering which prefixed words use hyphens is confusing even for English
experts. If you’re unsure, feel free to use a grammar checker.Share on Facebook

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What Are Prefixes in English? Definition and Examples

Matt Ellis

Matt Ellis

Updated on December 8, 2022 · Grammar

Prefixes are one- to three-syllable affixes added to the beginning of a base word
to slightly change its meaning. For example, adding the prefix im- to the base
word possible creates a new word, impossible, which means “not possible.”

Prefixes are a regular part of English, and understanding them can greatly
improve your vocabulary and reading comprehension. In this quick guide, we
explain everything you need to know about prefixes and give plenty of examples
of prefixes in English. But first, let’s talk a little about what prefix means.

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What are prefixes?

Prefixes and suffixes are types of affixes, which are morphemes added to a base
word to modify its meaning. Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word, while
suffixes are added to the end.

In English, the most common prefixes and suffixes are usually one or two syllables
long, although some, like hetero- and megalo-, are three.
Prefixes always have the same meaning no matter what base word they’re
attached to. For example, the prefix re- always means “to do something again”:
when used in reread, it means “to read again”; when it’s used in rebuild, it means
“to build again.”

When to use prefixes

Prefixes are used mainly to shorten phrases into a single word. For example,
instead of saying that someone is “achieving more than expected,” you can say
simply that they’re “overachieving,” thanks to the prefix over-. In writing, prefixes
are one of the best ways to streamline text and make it more potent.

Prefixes are also important in academic disciplines, specifically to classify subjects.

For example, biology is the study of living organisms, based on the prefix bio-,
meaning “life,” but geology is the study of rocks and other earth minerals, based
on the prefix geo-, meaning “relating to the earth.”

Just be careful using prefixed words with a negative that you don’t create a
double negative. Some prefixes, like a-, in-, or un-, are already negative. That
means if you say “not unnecessary,” the two negatives cancel each other out, and
the meaning is simply “necessary.”

Prefixes and hyphens

From a grammar perspective, the most confusing part about using prefixes is
when to use hyphens after them. Basically, some prefixed words use hyphens,
and some don’t. To help you understand when to use hyphens with prefixes, here
are some basic rules:

Use a hyphen with the prefixes all-, ex– (former), and self–

The prefixes all-, ex-, and self- use a hyphen.

an all-knowing deity

my ex-partner

a self-aware creature

However, be careful with ex- because it has two different meanings—“out from,”
and “in the past.” Use a hyphen only when the meaning of ex- is “former” or “in
the past.”

exterminator

ex-exterminator (a former exterminator)

Also note that the prefix extra– is different from the prefix ex-, even though they
start with the same two letters. The prefix extra- does not need a hyphen like the
prefix ex-.

extraterrestrial

Use a hyphen for prefixes with a proper noun

If you’re using a prefix with proper nouns, always use a hyphen.

a trans-Pacific flight

pro-Ukraine

The only exception is transatlantic, a unique word that does not follow the rules
of proper nouns.

Use a hyphen if adding the prefix spells a different word

Some words with prefixes, especially re-, are easily confused with other,
preexisting words that happen to start with the same letters. If adding a prefix to
a word creates a word that already exists, use a hyphen to clear up the ambiguity.

After she recovers from the flu, the gardener needs to re-cover the flower beds.
Use a hyphen to avoid putting the same vowels together

Most of the time, if the last letter of a prefix and the first letter of the base word
are the same vowel, you use a hyphen.

re-enter

semi-independent

However, keep in mind this rule has exceptions. In particular, some prefixed
words with pairs of o and e do not require a hyphen.

cooperate

preexisting

When a prefix is added to a word that starts with a different vowel, you do not
usually use a hyphen.

reappraise

hydroelectric
Remembering which prefixed words use hyphens is confusing even for English
experts. If you’re unsure, feel free to use a grammar checker.

Examples of prefixes in English

a-

not, without

amoral, atheist, asexual

after-

following something

afterlife, aftermath, aftereffect

all-

including everything or completely

all-knowing, all-American, all-encompassing

ambi-

both

ambidextrous, ambiguous, ambivalence

anti-

against or opposing

anticlimactic, antibiotics, antiperspirant

astro-

relating to stars or outer space

astronomy, astrology, astronomical

auto-
by oneself

automobile, autobiography, automatic

back-

behind or reverse

backflip, background, backward

bi-

two

bicycle, bisexual, binary

bio-

life or relating to life

biology, biotechnology, biopsy

circum-

around

circumference, circumvent, circumstantial

co-, col-, com-, con-, cor-

together

co-pilot, colleague, correlation

contra-

against or opposing

contradiction, contraceptive, contrarian

counter-
opposition, often as a reaction

counterattack, counterbalance, counterpart

de-

down or away from

de-escalate, descend, devalue

dis-

negation or reversal

disapprove, dislike, dishonor

down-

moving from higher to lower

downgrade, download, downplay

ex-

former or in the past

ex-boyfriend, ex-wife, ex-president

ex-

out from

expatriate, exclude, export

extra-

outside of

extradite, extraterrestrial, extracurricular