Name: Agnes Timisela

Npm: 19052018

Class: 4C English

Morphology: Common Prefixes and Examples

Prefix is one of the main ways to derive new words, it's an affix placed before the stem of a word
to form a new word. For example, if putting prefix "un" in front of "happy", we create a new
word "unhappy". The "prefix" itself is another example, prefix "pre" plus "fix" forms a new
word.

Prefix is applied to the original stem or existing word to change either lexical category or
meaning. We will introduce common prefixes and theirs examples in following sections.

1. Prefix to Change Lexical Category

a- change to Asleep, aboard, aside, ashore, ablaze.

adj./adv.

be- change to verb Befriend, bewitch, behead, belittle.

em- change to verb Embark, embed, embody, empower, embitter.

en- change to verb Endanger, encourage, enrage, enforce, enslave.

out- change to verb Outflank, outnumber, outpace, outwit, outsmart.

2. Prefix to Make Antonym

de- Decentralize, decode, decolonize, dehydrate, declassify.

dis- Dislike, distrust, disagree, disorder, dishonest.

il- Illegal, illogical, illiterate, illimitable.

im- Impatient, impolite, impossible, immature, import.

in- Incapable, informal, independent, injustice, inadequate.

ir- Irregular, irresponsible, irritable irrelevant irradiate

 mal- Malnutrition, maladjusted, malware, malodorous,
malcontent.

non- Nonessential, nonfiction, nonprofit, nonstop, nondairy.

un- Unable, uncertain, untidy, unfairly, undo.

3. Common Prefix with Specific Meaning

all- all, whole Allegation, allegiance, allegory, allergic, alleviate, alliance.

anti- against Antibiotic, anticipate, antidote, antipathy, antiquate, antiquity.

arch big, main Archaeological, archetype, archipelago, architect, archives.

auto- do by self Autobiographical, autocrat, automate, automobile, automotive.

bi- two,double Bicameral, biennial, bilateral.

bio- living, life Biographer, biologist.

centi- one percent Centigrade.

co- together Coagulate, coalition.

counter- opposite Counterbalance, counterfeit, countermand, counterpart,

countervail countervail.

down- down, worsen Downcast, downpour.

ever- lasting Evergreen, everlasting.

ex- before, previous Exaggerate, exaltation, exceed.

extra- special, Extraordinary, extrapolation.

additional

fore- front, before Forebear, forecast, forefront, foremost.

hand- by Handbook, handicraft.

hydro- with water Hydrophobia, hydrosphere.

ill- not good, not fit Illegible, illimitable, illiterate.

inter- between, Illegible, illimitable, illiterate.
connected

mal- bad, negative Interaction, intercept, interdependence, interfere.

man- by man, to man Mandate, maneuver, manipulate.

milli- one thousandth Millionaire.

mini- small, tiny Miniature, minimalist, minimize, minimize.

mis- wrong, error Misapprehension, miscarriage, mischance, mischief,

misconceive.

news- news Newscast, newsstand.

over- beyond, more Overbalance, overbearing, overburden, overcast, overconfidence.

than

post- after, post Postdate, posterior, postgraduate.

pre- before, front Preamble, precaution, precede.

pro- like, support Proceed, process, proclaim.

re- again Readjust, reassurance.

self- self self-possession, self-sufficient.

semi- half Semifinal, semiliterate.

sub- next level, short Subdivision, subject, subjugate, submarine, submerge.

of

super- extreme Supercilious, superfluous, supernatural, supersede.

tele- far distance Telecommunication, telegraph, telescope.

trans- moving, cross Transaction, transcend, transform, transfuse.

under- under Undercharge, underestimate, undergraduate, underground,

underline.

uni- unique Unicorn, uniform, unilateral, unimpeachable.

up- up, lead Upbring, update, upgrade.

 changing

Well- well, ready well-being.

4. Hard Prefix with Specific Meaning

aero- in air Aerodynamics.

ante- in front of Antecede, antedate, anterior.

astro- space, cosmic Astronomer.

cardi- heart Cardiologist.

chron- time, history Chronicle, chronological.

contra- against Contradict.

cross- cross Crossbones, crossfire.

electro- of electricity electromagnetic electronics.

fresh- just, fresh Freshness.

geo- related to earth Geology, geometry.

homo- same homogeneous

hyper- very Hypercritical, hypersensitive.

mega- very large Megalomania.

micro- tiny, small Microcosm, microfilm, microscope.

mono- single, alone Monochromatic, monolithic, monologue.

multi- many, multiple Multicellular, multifarious, multiform, multilateral, multilingual.

neo- new Neoclassical, neologism, neonate, neophyte.

neur- of nerve Neurotic.

pan- all inclusive Panacea, pandemic, panorama.

para- vice, sub level Paradigm, paragraph, parallel, paralyse.

phon- of voice Phonetic.

poly- multiple Polygamist, polyglot, polygonal.

quad- four related Quadrilateral, quadruped.

socio- of society Sociology.

sur- over, passed Surcharge, surface, surging.

sym- same Symmetrical, sympathetic.

tech- of technology Technical, technique, technology.

therm- hot, warm Thermometer, thermostat.

tri- three related Tribunal, tributary, trilogy.

ultra- extreme, very Ultrasonic, ultraviolet.

video- video videocassette