ELA Vocabulary - Prefixes

Question 1

What does the prefix “in-“ mean?

Answer 1

In, on, or not

Examples:
Inaccurate = “not” accurate
Inside = located “in” something (not out of something)

Question 2

What is a “root word”?

Answer 2

A basic word to which affixes (prefixes and suffixes) are attached. Prefixes come before the root word and suffixes come after.

Example:

Lovely
Suffix = ly (meaning “like” or “characteristic of”
Root word = love

Insane
Prefix = in (meaning “not” in this case)
Root word = sane

Question 3

What does the prefix “un-“ mean?

Answer 3

Not

Examples:

Unappetizing = "not" appetizing
Uncontrollable = "not" able to be controlled
Unsure = "not" sure

Question 4

What does the prefix “dis-“ mean?

Answer 4

Apart, away, asunder, without, or having a negative or reverse meaning.

Examples:

Disappear: to make vanish (reverse of “appear”)
Dislocate: to break apart from its previous location
Dislike: to not like (opposite of “like”)

Question 5

What does the prefix “mis-“ mean?

Answer 5

ill, mistaken, wrong or simply negating (making something null and void).

Examples:
Mislead: leading the wrong way
Mistrust: wrong to trust
Mismatch: mistakingly matched (not matched)

Question 6

What does “disrespect” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 6

Disrespect: without respect or courtesy

Root word: respect
Prefix: “dis-“

Example: Her response to her mother was disrespectful, so she had to wash her mouth out with soap. Yucky!

Question 7

What does “disbelief” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 7

Without belief

Root word: belief
Prefix: “dis-“

Example: He stared at the space alien in disbelief as it looked at him with its one, huge eye.

Question 8

What does “dishonest” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 8

Not honest or truthful

Root word: honest
Prefix: “dis-“

Example: When he said he ate 147 hot dogs at lunch, he was obviously being dishonest.

Question 9

What does “disorder” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 9

Not in order, messy or jumbled.

Root word: order
Prefix: “dis”

Example: She left so quickly, that her room was in disorder with pillows, clothes and stuffed animals all over the floor.

Question 10

What does “discourage” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 10

To cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm.

Root word: courage
Prefix: “dis-“

Examples: Her bad attitude discouraged her teammates during the game at recess.

Question 11

What does “disconnect” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 11

To pull apart, to remove a connection.

Root word: connect
Prefix: “dis-“

Example: He fell down and disconnected his shoulder. Ouch!

Question 12

What does “disease” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 12

A problem or disorder of an organism causing distress or making one sick.

Root word: ease
Prefix: “dis-“

Example: The chicken had bird flu disease and everyone ran away from it.

Question 13

What does “unfasten” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 13

To remove the fastenings, to unlock, to open.

Root word: fasten
Prefix: “un-“

Example: He unfastened the lock on the gate and let the horse run free.

Question 14

What does “uneasy” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 14

A feeling of anxiety, troubled or uncomfortable.

Root word: ease
Prefix: “un-“

The fog and the sounds of clanking chains made her uneasy.

Question 15

What does “untidy” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 15

Messy, not organized

Root word: tidy
Prefix: “un-“

Example:

All of the clothes strewn on the floor made her room look untidy.

Question 16

What does “unknown” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 16

Not known, not understood.

Root: known
Prefix: “un-“

Example: It is unknown whether there is life on other planets, but it is possible.

Question 17

What does “unaware” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 17

Not aware, having no knowledge of.

Root: aware
Prefix: “un-“

Example: Scarlette was unaware that Auggie was chewing on her flip flop.

Question 18

What does “undress” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 18

To remove clothing or covering

Root word: dress
Prefix: “un-“

Example:

Stella said “I want to go swimming!” and began to undress and put on her bathing suit..

Question 19

What does “misspell” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 19

Spell incorrectly

Root: spell
Prefix: “mis-“

Example: Joe misspelled the word elementary as “elemintry”.

Question 20

What does “misleading” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 20

To lead in the wrong direction, or the wrong way.

Root: lead
Prefix: “mis-“

Examples: She knew that he was being misleading when he said, “I love tuna fish and Nutella sandwiches!” and then gagged when he took a bite.

Question 21

What does “mischief” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 21

Playful misbehavior or troublemaking, especially in children.

Root: chief
Prefix: “mis-“

Example: The Grinch was up to his typical mischief as he stole all of the presents under the tree.

Question 22

What does “mistake” mean, and what prefix is applied to what root word?

Answer 22

Error or an action or judgment that is wrong.

Root: take
Prefix: “mis-“

Example: She looked at her math homework and said, “What what?! 7 times 9 isn’t 56, it’s 63! That’s a mistake!”