Suffix and prefix Definition and Examples
Table of Contents
Suffix and prefix
prefix: Suffix and prefix
A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a word that changes the word’s meaning. A suffix is a word part added to the end of a word that changes the word’s meaning.
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
| Anti- | Against | Antifreeze
antithesis |
| De- | Opposite | Decode
decompose |
| Dis- | Not, opposite of | Disconnect
disembark |
| Em- | Cause to | Embrace
emphasis |
| En- | Cause to | Encode
encounter |
| Fore- | Before | Forecast
foresight |
| In- | İn | Infield
infiltrate |
| Im- | İn | Imbalance |
| In-, im-, il-, ir- | Not | Injustice
Impossible irregular |
| Inter- | Between | International
interact |
| Mid- | Middle | Midday
midway |
| Mis- | Wrongly | Misfire
misunderstand |
| Non- | Not | Nonsense
nonexistent |
| Over- | Over | Overlook
overdue |
| Pre- | Before | Prefix
preschool |
| Re- | Again | Regain
Return rebuild |
| Semi- | Half | Semifinal
semicircle |
| Sub- | Under | Subeditor
subterranean |
| Super- | Above, | Superman
superstar |
| Trans- | Across | Transatlantic
transport |
| Un- | Not | Unfriendly
unsatisfied |
| Under- | Under | Understand
undersea |
SUFFIXES Suffix and prefix
A suffix is a word part added to the end of a word to create a new meaning. Study the suffix rules in the following boxes.
Rule 1
When adding the suffixes –ness and –ly to a word, the spelling of the word does not change.
Examples:
- dark + ness = darkness
- scholar + ly = scholarly
Examples:
- ready + ly = readily
- happy + ness = happiness
Rule 2
When the suffix begins with a vowel, drop the silent e in the root word.
Examples:
- care + ing = caring
- use + able = usable
Examples:
- replace + able = replaceable
- courage + ous = courageous
Rule 3
When the suffix begins with a consonant, keep the silent e in the original word.
Examples:
- care + ful = careful
- care + less = careless
Exceptions to Rule 3
Examples:
- true + ly = truly
- argue + ment = argument
Rule 4
When the word ends in a consonant plus y, change the y to i before any suffix not beginning with i.
Examples:
- sunny + er = sunnier
- hurry + ing = hurrying
Rule 5
When the suffix begins with a vowel, double the final consonant only if (1) the word has only one syllable or is accented on the last syllable and (2) the word ends in a single vowel followed by a single consonant.
Examples:
- tan + ing = tanning (one syllable word)
- regret + ing = regretting (The accent is on the last syllable; the word ends in a single vowel followed by a single consonant.)
- cancel + ed = canceled (The accent is not on the last syllable.)
- prefer + ed = preferred
-
Noun Suffixes: these suffixes make new words by joining with a noun
| Suffix | Meanings | Examples |
| Let | Small | Booklet, leaflet |
| Ship | Position/ relations | Friendship, membership |
| Cracy | Governance | Democracy, Autocracy |
| Ery | type of work | Delivery, refinery |
| ing | To continue | Doing, hunting |
To make a noun from the verb
| Suffix | Meanings | Examples |
| Er/or | Does of an action | Worker, writer |
| Ee | Do something | Employee, payee |
| Ation | position | Exploration, organization |
| Ment | position | Arrangement, government |
| age | Quantity | Coverage, wastage |
Some more Examples
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| -able | capable of | inflatable |
|
-ant |
type of person |
Assistant
Inhabitant informant |
| -athon | long-lasting | marathon |
|
-cide |
killing |
genocide
infanticide homicide |
|
-dom |
state of being |
officialdom
Freedom kingdom |
| -er
-ster -eer |
doer of an action |
Worker
profiteer |
|
-ery |
type of work |
cookery
Bakery refinery |
|
-ess |
female of |
lioness
authoress heiress |
| ful | fill up | Mouthful
spoonful |
| -ette | small version of | cigarette
kitchenette |
| -fest | indulgence in | chatfest |
| -fy | to make | electrify |
| -hood | state, quality | boyhood
childhood |
| -ible | ability | reliable |
|
-ish |
a little |
Swedish
squeamish Turkish |
| -ism | condition or doctrine | feminism |
| -ist | type of person | florist |
| -less | without | Penniless
homeless |
| -ly | in a manner of | worldly
Quickly manly |
| -ous | full of | Joyous
virtuous |
| -wash | changing the appearance of | whitewash |
Must Read
- forms of the verb
- list of adjective
- English vocabulary
- essay on Diwali
- wonders of science essay
- proverbs with Hindi meaning
- imperative sentences
- kinds of noun
- simple sentences
- types of sentences
- use of could
- Future Indefinite Tense
- Present indefinite tense
- Past indefinite tense
- Present continuous tense
- Past continuous tense
- Present perfect tense
- Past perfect tense
- Present perfect continuous tense
- Past perfect continuous tense
Welcome! I’m Murli and I hope you like the website. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.