Etymology: Prefix Flashcards
pre-
before
Example: prefix
post-
after
Example: postgame
i, in, en, ig, il, ir-
in, into, not, toward, within
Example: inject
un-
not
Example: unhappy
a-
not
Example: amoral
super-
above, beyond
Example: superstar
sub-
below, beneath
Example: submarine
pro-
for, on behalf of
Example: promote
con(com) co-
with, together
Example: connect
retro-
back, again
Example: retroactive
re-
again
Example: The prefix re- in the word redo means to do again.
bi-
two
Example: Bicycle is a vehicle with two wheels.
di-
two
Example: The word dilemma comes from the prefix di- meaning two.
dis-
remove, negative
Example: The prefix dis- in the word disappear means to remove or go missing.
anti-
against
Example: Antisocial means against social norms.
ante-
before/prior
Example: Antebellum refers to the period before a war.
counter-
against
Example: Counteract means to act against something.
trans-
across
Example: Transatlantic means across the Atlantic Ocean.
auto-
self, one’s own
Example: Autobiography is a self-written account of one’s life.
meta-
beyond, after
Example: Metamorphosis means a change beyond the usual form.
pan-
all, every
Example: Panorama is a view of all directions.
per-
through
Example: Permeate means to spread or flow through something.
peri/circ-
around
Example: Perimeter is the distance around a shape.
poly/multi-
many
Example: Polygon is a shape with many sides.
epi-
outside, upon addition above
Example: Epidermis is the outer layer of the skin.
