prefix A prefix goes at the beginning of a word. A suffix goes at the end of a word. Retain, detain

A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify or change its meaning. This is a list of the most common prefixes in English, together with their basic meaning and some examples. You should use this list as a guide only, to help you understand possible meanings.

Prefix : anti Meaning : opposing, against, the opposite Examples: anti-aircraft, anti-Japanese war

Prefix : com, also co-, col-, con-, cor- Meaning : with, jointly, completely Examples: combat, codriver, cooperate

Prefix : de- Meaning :down, away, completely, removal, Examples: descend, despair, depend, de-ice, decamp

Prefix :dis- Meaning :negation, removal, Examples: disadvantage, disapproval , discourage, disappear

Prefix: en- Meaning : bring into the condition of Examples: enlighten, enlarge, enrich, widen

Prefix : ex- also e-, ef- Meaning : out, upward, completely, previous Examples: exit, exclude, expand , ex-wife

Prefix: in- also il-, im-, ir- Meaning : not, without, Examples: infertile, inappropriate, impossible,

Prefix : inter- Meaning: between, among Examples: interact, interchange ,international

Prefix: non- Meaning : absence, negation Examples: non-smoker, non-alcoholic

Prefix : over- Meaning : excessively, upper, over, Examples: overconfident, overburdened, overjoyed

Prefix: pre- Meaning : before in time, place, order or importance Examples: pre-adolescent, prelude, prewar

Prefix: re- Meaning: again Examples: repaint, retell, reawake

Prefix : un- Meaning : not , reversal or cancellation of action or state Examples: unacceptable, unreal, unhappy, unmanned ; unplug, unmask

Prefix : trans- Meaning : across, beyond Examples: transnational, translate