Prefixes & Suffixes
Discover how adding letters to the beginning or end of a word can change its meaning entirely.
What Are Prefixes and Suffixes?
A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or word class. Together, they are called affixes.
Prefix (before the root)
un + happy = unhappy
The prefix un- changes the meaning to "not happy".
Suffix (after the root)
care + ful = careful
The suffix -ful changes the noun to an adjective meaning "full of care".
Common Prefixes
Each prefix has its own meaning. Learning these meanings helps you work out unfamiliar words.
unkind (not kind) • unfair (not fair) • unlock (opposite of lock) • unwrap (opposite of wrap)
rewrite (write again) • rebuild (build again) • return (come back) • replay (play again)
disagree (not agree) • disappear (opposite of appear) • dislike (not like) • dishonest (not honest)
misspell (spell wrongly) • mislead (lead wrongly) • misunderstand (understand wrongly) • misbehave (behave badly)
Common Suffixes
Suffixes can change the word class (noun to adjective, verb to noun) and adjust the meaning.
Turns a verb into a noun
celebrate → celebration • decide → decision
Turns a verb into a noun
enjoy → enjoyment • agree → agreement
Turns an adjective into a noun
kind → kindness • dark → darkness
Turns a noun into an adjective meaning "full of"
hope → hopeful • colour → colourful
Key Vocabulary
Prefix
A group of letters added to the beginning of a root word to change its meaning (e.g. un-, re-, dis-).
Suffix
A group of letters added to the end of a root word to change its meaning or word class (e.g. -tion, -ful, -ness).
Root Word
The base word before any prefix or suffix is added (e.g. "happy" in "unhappiness").
Word Class
The category a word belongs to based on its function: noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
Worked Examples
Break down words into their root word + prefix or suffix to understand their meaning.
Example 1: "disappearance"
dis- (opposite of) + appear (root word) + -ance (turns verb into noun) = the act of vanishing
Example 2: "reusable"
re- (again) + use (root word) + -able (capable of) = able to be used again
Example 3: "unhappiness"
un- (not) + happy (root word) + -ness (turns adjective into noun) = the state of not being happy
Knowledge Check
Test your understanding of prefixes and suffixes. Select the correct answer and click "Check Answer".
Question 1
What does the prefix re- mean?
Question 2
Which word uses the suffix -ment correctly?
Question 3
What is the root word in "misspelling"?
Question 4
The suffix -ful means...
Question 5
Which word means "not honest"?
Key Concepts Summary
- ● A prefix is added to the beginning of a word; a suffix is added to the end.
- ● Common prefixes: un- (not), re- (again), dis- (not/opposite), mis- (wrongly).
- ● Common suffixes: -tion (makes a noun), -ment (makes a noun), -ness (makes a noun), -ful (full of).
- ● The root word is the base word before any prefix or suffix is added.
- ● Knowing prefixes and suffixes helps you work out the meaning of unfamiliar words.