Prefixes
A prefix modifies or auguments the core meaning.
前缀决定褒贬,语气加强,前后,重复等,大小,多少,好坏。
A prefix is a group of letters (or an affix) that’s added to the beginning of a word. Prefixes modify the meaning of a word. They can make a word negative, show repetition, or indicate opinion. When you add a prefix to a word, you shouldn’t change the spelling of the original word or the prefix.
- Prefixes in English: 40 Must-know Letter Combinations That Change the Meaning of Words
- 36 Common Prefixes in English
Common Prefixes
Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
---|---|---|
a-, an- | without, lack of, not | amoral, acellular, abyss, achromatic, anhydrous |
ante- | before, earlier, in front of | antecedent, antedate, antemeridian, anterior |
anti- | against, opposite of | anticlimax, antiaircraft, antiseptic, antibody |
auto- | self, same | autopilot, autobiography, automobile, autofocus |
circum- | around, about | circumvent, circumnavigate, circumscribe |
co- | with, together | co-pilot, co-worker, co-exist, co-author |
com-, con- | together, with | companion, commingle, contact, concentrate |
contra-, contro- | against, opposite | contradict, contrast, contrary, controversy |
de- | down, off, away from | devalue, deactivate, debug, degrade, deduce |
dis- | not, apart, away | disappear, disagreeable, disbar, dissect |
en- | put into, cover with | enclose, entangle, enslave, encase |
ex- | out of, from, former | extract, exhale, excavate, ex-president |
extra- | beyond, outside, more than | extracurricular, extramarital, extravagant |
hetero- | different, other | heterosexual, heterodox, heterogeneous |
homo-, homeo- | same, alike | homonym, homophone, homeostasis |
hyper- | over, more, beyond | hyperactive, hypersensitive, hypercritical |
il-, im-, in-, ir- | not, without | illegal, immoral, inconsiderate, irresponsible |
in- | in, into | insert, inspection, infiltrate |
inter- | between, among | intersect, interstellar, intervene, interpenetrate |
intra-, intro- | within, inside | intravenous, intragalactic, introvert |
macro- | large, prominent | macroeconomics, macrostructure, macrocosm |
micro- | very small | microscope, microcosm, microbe |
mono- | one, single, alone | monocle, monologue, monogamy, monotony |
non- | not, without | nonentity, nonaggressive, nonessential, nonfiction |
omni- | all, every | omniscient, omnivorous, omniscient, omnidirectional |
post- | after, behind | postmortem, posterior, postscript, postoperative |
pre-, pro- | before, forward | precede, predict, project, prologue |
re- | again | reelect, readmit, resubmit |
sub- | under, lower | submarine, subsidiary, substandard |
sym-, syn- | same time, together | symmetry, symposium, synchronize, synapse |
tele- | from or over a distance | telecommunications, telemedicine, television, telephone |
trans- | across, beyond, through | transmit, transaction, translation, transfer |
tri- | three, every third | tricycle, trimester, triangle, triathlon |
un- | not, lacking, opposite of | unfinished, unskilled, ungraceful, unfriendly |
uni- | one, single | unicorn, unicellular, unicycle, unilateral |
up- | to the top or north, higher/better | upbeat, updo, upgrade, upload, uphill, upstage, upscale, up-tempo |
endo- | within, inner, absorbing, or containing | Endobiotic |
exo- | “outside,” “outer,” “external,” | exocentric |
ad- | 加强 | adept |
ep/epi | on/upon |
Suffixes
Suffixes often determine the part of speech of a word. 后缀决定词性。
A suffix is a letter or a group of letters attached to the end of a word to form a new word or to change the grammatical function (or part of speech) of the word.
From: A List of 26 Common Suffixes in English
Noun Suffixes:
Suffix | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
-acy | state or quality | privacy, fallacy, delicacy |
-al | act or process of | refusal, recital, rebuttal |
-ance, -ence | state or quality of | maintenance, eminence, assurance |
-dom | place or state of being | freedom, kingdom, boredom |
-er, -or | one who | trainer, protector, narrator |
-ism | doctrine, belief | communism, narcissism, skepticism |
-ist | one who | chemist, narcissist, plagiarist |
-ity, -ty | quality of | inactivity, veracity, parity, serenity |
-ment | condition of | argument, endorsement, punishment |
-ness | state of being | heaviness, sadness, rudeness, testiness |
-ship | position held | fellowship, ownership, kinship, internship |
-sion, -tion | state of being | concession, transition, abbreviation |
Verb Suffixes:
Suffix | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
-ate | become | regulate, eradicate, enunciate, repudiate |
-en | become | enlighten, awaken, strengthen |
-ify, -fy | make or become | terrify, satisfy, rectify, exemplify |
-ize, -ise* | become | civilize, humanize, socialize, valorize |
Adjective Suffixes:
Suffix | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
-able, -ible | capable of being | edible, presentable, abominable, credible |
-al | pertaining to | regional, grammatical, emotional, coastal |
-esque | reminiscent of,It’s simply added to the end of the name | picturesque, statuesque, burlesque |
-ful | notable for | fanciful, resentful, woeful, doubtful |
-ic, -ical | pertaining to | musical, mythic, domestic, chiastic |
-ious, -ous | characterized by | nutritious, portentous, studious |
-ish | having the quality of | fiendish, childish, snobbish |
-ive | having the nature of | creative, punitive, divisive, decisive |
-less | without | endless, ageless, lawless, effortless |
-y | characterized by | sleazy, hasty, greasy, nerdy, smelly |