Prefixes

A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify or change its meaning. It is an affix which is placed before the stem of a word. Particularly in the study of Semitic languages, a prefix is called a preformative, because it alters the form of the words to which it is affixed.

Examples of prefixes:

• unhappy : un is a negative or antonymic prefix.
• prefix, preview : pre is a prefix, with the sense of before
• redo, review : re is a prefix meaning again.

The word prefix is itself made up of the stem fix (meaning attach, in this case), and the prefix pre- (meaning "before"), both of which are derived from Latin roots.

A prefix is a type of affix attached to a stem which modifies the meaning of that stem. The prefix un when added to happy makes it unhappy just as the prefix pre when added to historic transforms it into prehistoric. The word prefix is itself made up of the stem fix, meaning attach in this case, and the prefix pre, meaning before, both of which are derived from Latin roots.

A sound knowledge of the sources and meaning of the very commonly used prefixes considerably enhances the word power of a learner of the English language.

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 of thje examples of prifixes are

 anti-

counter-

 dis-

extra-

hyper-