Prefixes & Suffixes
5 minQuiz at the end
What are Affixes?
An affix is a word part attached to a root word to change its meaning or grammatical role. Affixes added to the beginning are prefixes; those added to the end are suffixes.
Common Prefixes
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| un- | not / opposite | unhappy, unlock |
| re- | again | rewrite, replay |
| pre- | before | preview, prehistoric |
| mis- | wrongly | misunderstand, misspell |
| in-/im-/ir- | not | incorrect, impossible, irregular |
| inter- | between | international, interact |
| sub- | under | submarine, subtitle |
| over- | too much | overeat, overreact |
Common Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -ful | full of | careful, hopeful |
| -less | without | careless, hopeless |
| -ness | state of | happiness, darkness |
| -er/-or | one who | teacher, actor |
| -able/-ible | can be done | readable, flexible |
| -tion/-sion | action/process | education, decision |
| -ly | in a way | quickly, happily |
Why Learn Affixes?
Knowing common affixes lets you decode unfamiliar words. If you see 'irresponsible', you can break it down: ir- (not) + responsible → not responsible.