Prefix
noun
A group of letters added at the start of a word to change its meaning.
In the word 'unhappy', 'un-' is a prefix which means 'not'.
Often appears as...
- prefix un-
- prefix dis-
verb
To add something at the start.
You should prefix your essay with an introduction.
Often appears as...
- prefix with
- prefix to
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A short sequence of letters that is put before a person's name to show a specific title or quality.
In 'Dr. Smith', 'Dr.' is a prefix.
Often appears as...
- prefix mr.
- prefix dr.
noun
A short sequence of numbers added at the start of a phone number or an address.
The prefix '1-' indicates that it's a US phone number.
Often appears as...
- prefix of phone number
- prefix of ip address
noun
A group of letters added at the start of a word to change its meaning.
In the word 'unhappy', 'un-' is a prefix which means 'not'.
Often appears as...
- prefix un-
- prefix dis-
verb
To add something at the start.
You should prefix your essay with an introduction.
Often appears as...
- prefix with
- prefix to
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A short sequence of letters that is put before a person's name to show a specific title or quality.
In 'Dr. Smith', 'Dr.' is a prefix.
Often appears as...
- prefix mr.
- prefix dr.
noun
A short sequence of numbers added at the start of a phone number or an address.
The prefix '1-' indicates that it's a US phone number.
Often appears as...
- prefix of phone number
- prefix of ip address
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Meaning Alteration
Prefixes transform words into antonyms or give them a new meaning.
Adding 'dis-' to 'agree' forms 'disagree', indicating opposition.
Pro Tip 2/3Common Prefixes
Some prefixes are really common and appear in many English words.
'Pre-' is a common prefix in 'preview', meaning 'before'.
Pro Tip 3/3No Spelling Change
Adding a prefix doesn't typically change the spelling of the root word.
'Un-' + 'known' stays as 'unknown' with no spelling change.
Pro Tip 1/3Meaning Alteration
Prefixes transform words into antonyms or give them a new meaning.
Adding 'dis-' to 'agree' forms 'disagree', indicating opposition.
Pro Tip 2/3Common Prefixes
Some prefixes are really common and appear in many English words.
'Pre-' is a common prefix in 'preview', meaning 'before'.
Pro Tip 3/3No Spelling Change
Adding a prefix doesn't typically change the spelling of the root word.
'Un-' + 'known' stays as 'unknown' with no spelling change.
Pro Tip 1/3Meaning Alteration
Prefixes transform words into antonyms or give them a new meaning.
Adding 'dis-' to 'agree' forms 'disagree', indicating opposition.
Pro Tip 2/3Common Prefixes
Some prefixes are really common and appear in many English words.
'Pre-' is a common prefix in 'preview', meaning 'before'.
Pro Tip 3/3No Spelling Change
Adding a prefix doesn't typically change the spelling of the root word.
'Un-' + 'known' stays as 'unknown' with no spelling change.
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Video examples
LA92 Panel - Live PIPE...
teachers provide facts and figures to get kids right for the end of year testing and the word educator comes from the Duck Goose which means lead the prefix e which means out the suffix a te which means the active and the suffix colar which means one does I'm an educator it is
Video examples
Where did the Moon come...
The prefix means "all together," to emphasize the connection between all of the material. A synestia is what a planet becomes when heat and spin push it over the limit of a spheroidal shape. Would you like to see a synestia?
Video examples
The ecological knowledge...
which plants are marked with I and mu prefixes that are followed by a noun a verb or even a phrase that contains the most striking feature of the plant is behavior its physical characteristics
Video examples
Making sense of spelling...
It was misanalysed in the middle ages as having the prefix "a," like in "asleep" and "awake" and "around," and a new base was L-O-N-E, which then developed into its own family.
Video examples
LA92 Panel - Live PIPE...
teachers provide facts and figures to get kids right for the end of year testing and the word educator comes from the Duck Goose which means lead the prefix e which means out the suffix a te which means the active and the suffix colar which means one does I'm an educator it is
Video examples
Where did the Moon come...
The prefix means "all together," to emphasize the connection between all of the material. A synestia is what a planet becomes when heat and spin push it over the limit of a spheroidal shape. Would you like to see a synestia?
Video examples
The ecological knowledge...
which plants are marked with I and mu prefixes that are followed by a noun a verb or even a phrase that contains the most striking feature of the plant is behavior its physical characteristics
Video examples
Making sense of spelling...
It was misanalysed in the middle ages as having the prefix "a," like in "asleep" and "awake" and "around," and a new base was L-O-N-E, which then developed into its own family.
Example 1 of 4
Quote examples
Michael Chabon
American Author
I have a good memory for words, and when I come upon a word I don't know, I remember it, or try to - it's almost like a tic. I also just have a good feeling for how words are made and formed in English and the etymologies that give you prefixes and suffixes.
Quote examples
David Crystal
English Educator
You can say now, 'I dissed him' - to diss, I dissed him - or, 'Stop dissing her'. And that's the interesting thing, that it's the prefix that's become the verb! It's a most remarkable development.
Quote examples
Don Lemon
American Journalist
Think about just how much we'd get accomplished if we collectively viewed the people with whom we came into contact as just an American and not an American with a prefix.
Quote examples
Nancy Roman
American Scientist
I had never used the prefix 'Dr.' with my name, but when I started with NASA, I had to. Otherwise, I could not get past the secretaries.
Quote examples
Michael Chabon
American Author
I have a good memory for words, and when I come upon a word I don't know, I remember it, or try to - it's almost like a tic. I also just have a good feeling for how words are made and formed in English and the etymologies that give you prefixes and suffixes.
Quote examples
David Crystal
English Educator
You can say now, 'I dissed him' - to diss, I dissed him - or, 'Stop dissing her'. And that's the interesting thing, that it's the prefix that's become the verb! It's a most remarkable development.
Quote examples
Don Lemon
American Journalist
Think about just how much we'd get accomplished if we collectively viewed the people with whom we came into contact as just an American and not an American with a prefix.
Quote examples
Nancy Roman
American Scientist
I had never used the prefix 'Dr.' with my name, but when I started with NASA, I had to. Otherwise, I could not get past the secretaries.
Example 1 of 4
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