Prefixes and Suffixes Created by Vanessa Pelfrey Revised by: Lesley Pittman

Prefixes are letters that are added to the beginning of a word.

For example preschool The prefix is pre- The prefix pre means “before” so the word preschool means “before school”

A prefix changes the meaning of a word.

Prefix Root Word New Word im- (not) polite impolite (not polite) in- complete incomplete (not complete) bi- (two) cycle bicycle (two wheels) non- stop nonstop (without stopping) dis- (not or opposite of) agree disagree (not agreeing) re- (again) use reuse (to use again)

Suffixes are letters added to the end of a word.

A suffix also changes the meaning of a word.

For example careless The suffix is –less The suffix –less means without so the word careless means “without care”

(condition of being shy) Root Word Suffix New Word home -less (without) homeless (without a home) cheer -ful (full of) cheerful (full of cheer) shyness -ness (state or quality) (condition of being shy)

farm -er (someone who) farmer (someone who farms) act -or actor Root Word Suffix New Word farm -er (someone who) farmer (someone who farms) act -or actor (someone who acts) bend -able (can be) bendable (can be bent) reverse -ible reversible (can be reversed)

A root word is a real word. Root Words A root word is a real word. We make new words from root words by adding prefixes and suffixes.

Sometimes the root word is also called the base word (That is a USEful piece of information!!)

For example In the word unhappy the root word is happy In the word eventful the root word is event

What’s the root word in each of the following words What’s the root word in each of the following words? Write the whole word and put a box around the root word. preview 8. teacher careful 9. passes happiness 10. treatment regain kindness following peaceful

Can you think of any words with prefixes and suffixes?