Prefixes in English Grammar
a-
Meaning: not
Examples: asynchronous (not synchronous), apolitical.
acro-
Meaning: high
Examples: acrobatic (the performance of stunts while in flight in an aircraft), acrophobia.
ante-
Meaning: before
Examples: Antemeridian (Before noon), antecede, anteroom.
anti-
Meaning: Against, opposed to
Examples: anti-war (against war), antibody, antisocial.
auto-
Meaning: on its own or one’s own, by its own action
Examples: automatic (operating with minimal human intervention), autocrat, autograph.
bi-
Meaning: two
Examples: bicentric (having two centers), biannual, binoculars.
co-
Meaning: with, joint
Examples: coauthor (joint author), coeducation, collision.
contra-
Meaning: contrasting
Examples: contralateral (on or relating to the opposite side (of the body), contrary.
counter-
Meaning: opposite, complementary
Examples: counteractive (opposing, neutralizing or mitigating an effect by contrary action), counteroffensive.
extra-
Meaning: beyond, out of scope
Examples: extrajudicially (beyond the usual course of legal proceedings; legally unwarranted), extraordinary.
hexa-
Meaning: six
Examples: hexadecimal (of or pertaining to a number system having 16 as its base), hexagon.
im-
Meaning: not
Examples: Impossible (Not capable of occurring), impatient.
in-
Meaning: not
Examples: insane (afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement), inappropriate.
intra-
Meaning: within
Examples: intragroup (occurring within an institution or community), intrastate .
ir-
Meaning: not
Examples: irresponsible (showing lack of care for consequences), irredeemable.
macro-
Meaning: very large in scale
Examples: macro instruction (a single computer instruction that results in a series of instructions in machine language), macro economics.
mid-
Meaning: used in combination to denote the middle
Examples: midafternoon (The middle part of the afternoon), midway, midterm.
multi-
Meaning: multiple
Examples: multibank (a bank holding company owning several banks), multimedia, multicoloured.
non-
Meaning: not
Examples: nonacceptance (the act of refusing an offer), non-profitable, non-friction.
per-
Meaning: for each
Examples: percent (a proportion in relation to a whole), permanent
pseudo-
Meaning: fake, false
Examples: pseudobulb (a solid bulblike enlargement of the stem of some orchids), pseudonym.
re-
Meaning: again, a new
Examples: reaccept (consider or hold as true), reappraise, reawake.
un-
Meaning: not
Examples: unorganized (Not having or belonging to a structured whole), unbelievable.
up-
Meaning: up; “increase”
Examples: upward (spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position).
ad-
Meaning: movement to advance (expert, better)
Examples: adulterate.
trans-
Meaning: across, beyond
Examples: transnational, transatlantic.
pre-
Meaning: before in time place or order
Examples: prelude, preadolescent, precondition.
pro-
Meaning: favouring, in support of
Examples: pro-african.
semi-
Meaning: half, partly
Examples: semifinal, semicircle, semiconscious.
eu-
Meaning: good, well
Examples: euphoria, euphemism.
fore-
Meaning: in front of
Examples: forebear, forecast.
Suffixes in English Grammar
-able
Meaning: able to be
Examples: excitable, portable, preventable.
-ac
Meaning: pertaining to
Examples: cardiac, hemophiliac, maniac.
acity (-ocity)
Meaning: quality of
Examples: perspicacity, sagacity, velocity.
-ade
Meaning: act, action or process
Examples: product blockade, cavalcade, promenade.
-age
Meaning: action or process
Examples: passage, pilgrimage, voyage.
-aholic (-oholic)
Meaning: one with an obsession for
Examples: workaholic, shopaholic, alcoholic.
-al
Meaning: relating to
Examples: bacterial, theatrical, natural.
-algia
Meaning: pain
Examples: neuralgia, nostalgia.
-an (-ian)
Meaning: relating to, belonging to
Examples: Italian, urban, African.
-ance
Meaning: state or quality of
Examples: brilliance, defiance, annoyance.
-ant
Meaning: a person who
Examples: applicant, immigrant, servant.
-ar
Meaning: of or relating to, being
Examples: lunar, molecular, solar.
-ard
Meaning: a person who does an action
Examples: coward, sluggard, wizard.
-arian
Meaning: a person who
Examples: disciplinarian, vegetarian, librarian.
-arium (orium)
Meaning: a place for
Examples: terrarium, aquarium, solarium.
-ary
Meaning: of or relating to
Examples: literary, military, budgetary.
-ate
Meaning: state or quality of (adj.)
Examples: affectionate, desolate, obstinat.
-ation
Meaning: action or process
Examples: creation, narration, emancipation.
-ative
Meaning: tending to (adj.)
Examples: creative, preservative, talkative.
-cide
Meaning: act of killing
Examples: homicide, suicide, genocide.
-cracy
Meaning: rule, government, power
Examples: bureaucracy, aristocracy, theocracy.
-crat
Meaning: someone who has power
Examples: aristocrat, bureaucrat, technocrat.
-cule
Meaning: diminutive (making something small)
Examples: molecule, ridicule.
-cy
Meaning: state, condition or quality
Examples: efficiency, privacy, belligerency.
-cycle
Meaning: circle, wheel
Examples: bicycle, recycle, tricycle.
-dom
Meaning: condition of, state, realm
Examples: boredom, freedom, wisdom.
-dox
Meaning: belief, praise
Examples: orthodox, paradox.
-ectomy
Meaning: surgical removal of
Examples: appendectomy, hysterectomy.
-ed
Meaning: past tense
Examples: called, hammered, laughed.
-ee
Meaning: receiver, performer
Examples: nominee, employee, devotee.
-eer
Meaning: associated with/engaged in
Examples: engineer, volunteer.
-emia
Meaning: blood condition
Examples: anemia, hypoglycemia, leukemia.
-en
Meaning: makes the word a verb
Examples: awaken, fasten, strengthen.
-ence
Meaning: state or condition, action
Examples: absence, dependence, negligence.
-ency
Meaning: condition or quality
Examples: clemency, dependency, efficiency.
-ent
Meaning: inclined to performing/causing, or one who performs/causes
Examples: competent, correspondent, absorbent.
-er
Meaning: more
Examples: bigger, faster, happier.
-er
Meaning: action or process
Examples: flutter, ponder, stutter.
-er
Meaning: a person who does an action
Examples: announcer, barber.
-path
Meaning: one who engages in
Examples: homeopath, naturopath, psychopath.
pathy
Meaning: feeling, diseased
Examples: sympathy, apathy, neuropathy.
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