Using Prefixes to Expand Your
Vocabulary
What is a prefix?
You must understand what a
root word is in order to understand what
a prefix is.
A root word is a word you can
change into a new word by adding a beginning
and/or an ending.
A prefix is a beginning that is
added to a root word.
For example, take the root word “purpose.” By
adding the prefix “multi” to “purpose,” the new
word “multipurpose” is formed.
Every prefix has its own meaning. When added
to a root word, a prefix changes the meaning of
the root word to which it is added. The root
word “purpose” means “an aim or a goal one
wishes to achieve.” The prefix “multi” means
“many.” The new word “multipurpose” means
“designed or used for many purposes.”
Learning to identify
prefixes and knowing their meanings are
great ways to expand your vocabulary. An
expanded vocabulary will increase your listening
and speaking comprehension. It will also help
you communicate more effectively when writing or
taking tests.
Some Common Prefixes
Here are some common
prefixes. The meaning of each
prefix is shown, as
well as words that can be formed by adding the
prefix to root words.
Using these prefixes and others will expand your
vocabulary.
| Prefix |
Meaning
of Prefix |
Words Formed Using
the Prefix |
| re |
again |
replay, resend, replace |
| hyper |
over |
hyperactive,
hypersensitive, hyperventilate |
| un |
not |
unclear, unsure,
undecided |
| tri |
three |
triangle, tricycle,
triweekly |
| pre |
before |
prepay, prepackage,
predate |
| mis |
wrong |
misconduct, misspell,
misunderstand |
| sub |
below |
subway, substandard,
submarine |
Some More Prefixes
Here are some more
prefixes and their meanings. You can add
these prefixes to many
root words to form new words and expand your
vocabulary.
|
Prefix
ante
bi
equi
hypo
neo
poly
semi
|
Meaning
before
two
equal
under
new
many
half
|
Prefix
auto
circum
im
inter
omni
retro
trans
|
Meaning
self
around
not
between
all
backward
across
|
To build your vocabulary using
prefixes, do the following:
- When you see a
prefix whose
meaning you do not know, look up its
meaning in a dictionary.
- Write the
prefix and its
meaning where you can refer to it easily
and often.
- Review the meaning
of these prefixes
from time to time.
- Form words by adding
these prefixes
to root words.
- Use these words when
you speak and write.
Watch your vocabulary grow!
