Prefix and Suffix are two different things with the same concept: a group of letters being added to a word. A prefix is a group of letters being added to the beginning of a word for example an, anti, dis etc. A suffix is a group of letters being added to the end of a word. for example ant, ful, able etc.
A prefix modifies a word whereas a suffix changes a word’s meaning.
So, let’s take a look at 50 different prefixes and suffixes with their meanings to understand how they should be used.
50 Prefix Examples with Meanings
Following is a list of common prefix we use in English language to form words by adding them at the start.
| Prefix | Meaning | Words |
| A- | Without/Not | Aside, Atheist |
| An- | Without/Not | Anarchy, Anesthesia |
| Anti- | Against | Antisocial, Anticlimax |
| Ben- | Good | Benefit, Benevolence |
| Bi- | Two | Bicarbonate, Biannual |
| Circum- | Around | Circumference, Circumspection |
| Com- | Together | Companion, Commaterial |
| Contra- | Against | Contradiction, Contra-trader |
| De- | Opposite | Decode, decelerate |
| Dis- | Not | Dislike, disqualify |
| Em- | Cause to | Embrace, embody |
| En- | Cause to | Enable, encounter |
| Ex- | Former | Ex-husband, Ex-con |
| Exo- | Outside | Exorcism, Exothermic |
| Fore- | Before | Forecast, forerunner |
| Hemi- | Half | Hemisphere, Hemielliptic |
| Hyper- | Excessive | Hypertension, Hyperactive |
| Hypo- | Under | Hypothermia, Hypothetical |
| In- | ?n | Infield, infiltrate |
| Im- | ?n/Not | Imbalance, Impossible |
| Il- | Not | Illegitimate, Illogical |
| Ir- | Not | Irregular, Irrelevant |
| Inter- | Between | Intercept, interact |
| Macro- | Large | Macroscopic, Macromolecule |
| Mal- | Bad | Malfunction, Malnutrition |
| Micro- | Small | Microscopic, Micromolecule |
| Mid- | Middle | Midday, midway |
| Mis- | Wrongly | Misfire, misunderstand |
| Mono- | One | Monogamy, Monotonous |
| Multi- | Many | Multimedia, Multitude |
| Non- | Not | Nonsense, nonexist |
| Omni- | All | Omnipotent, Omnipresent |
| Over- | Over | Overlook, overdue |
| Peri- | Around | Periscope, Periodontal |
| Poly- | Many | Polygamy, Polytechnic |
| Post- | After | Postscript, Posthumous |
| Pre- | Before | Prefix, preschool |
| Pro- | Forward | Proceed, Proclaim |
| Quad- | Four | Quadruple, Quadrilateral |
| Re- | Again | Regain, return, rebuild |
| Semi- | Half | Semifinal, semicircle |
| Sub- | Under | Subeditor, subterranean |
| Super- | Above, | Superman, superstar |
| Sym- | Together | Sympathy, Symphony |
| Trans- | Across | Transgression, transport |
| Tri | Three | Triceps, Tricycle |
| Ultra- | Excessive | Ultrafine, Ultrabright |
| Un- | Not | Unfriendly, Unappealing |
| Under- | Under | Understand, Underestimate |
| Uni- | One | Unicellular, Unicycle |
50 Suffix Examples with Meanings
Following is a list of some common suffixes we use in English by adding them at the end of the word.
| Suffix | Meaning | Words |
| -able | Capable of something | Predictable, Disable |
| -al | Pertaining to | National, Personal |
| -age | A result | Wreckage, Lineage |
| -ance | An action | Resistance, Importance |
| -ant | Characterized by | Abundant, Accusant |
| -ar | Pertaining to | Lunar, Particular |
| -ary | Relating to | Disciplinary, Secretary |
| -ate | Having the characteristics | Fortunate, Duplicate |
| -ed | Past tense of a verb | Played, Yelled |
| -ee | A person | Interviewee, Trainee |
| -eer | Associated with something | Volunteer, Auctioneer |
| -en | To become something | Soften, Straighten |
| -ence | An action/state | Dependence, Influence |
| -ency | An action/state | Dependency, Tendency |
| -ent | Performing an action | Frequent, Absent |
| -er | A characteristic | Faster, Slower |
| -es | Plural | Dishes, Fishes |
| -est | A degree of a word | Honest, Modest |
| -fication | Causing something | Modification, Justification |
| -ful | Notable of | Beautiful, Wonderful |
| -fy | To make | Personify, Intensify |
| -ian | A person | Electrician, Utilitarian |
| -ible | Capable of being | Sensible, Responsible |
| -ic | Relating to | Democratic, Enthusiastic |
| -ing | An action | Absorbing, Reading |
| -ion | A process | Instrumentation, Calibration |
| -ise | To cause/become | Advertise, Advise |
| -ish | A little | Blemish, Extinguish |
| -ism | A condition | Nationalism, Majoritarianism |
| -ist | A person | Pacifist, Perfectionist |
| -ity | A condition of | Responsibility, Sentimentality |
| -ive | Nature of | Reconstructive, Discriminative |
| -ize | To cause/become | Conceptualize, Contextualize |
| -less | Without | Careless, Hopeless |
| -like | Similar to | Childlike, Lifelike |
| -logy | Character of | Eulogy, Analogy |
| -ly | A way something is done | Accidentally, Angrily |
| -ment | An action/state | Amusement, Punishment |
| -ness | A state | Baldness, Dryness |
| -or | A person | Abductor, Receptor |
| -ous | Full of something | Disastrous, Fabulous |
| -s | Plural | Smiles, Hopes |
| -ship | A position | Relationship, Sportsmanship |
| -sion | A state | Depression, Repression |
| -some | A tendency | Loathsome, Gruesome |
| -th | Condition/Number-related | Seventh, Depth |
| -tion | A state | Solution, Attraction |
| -ward | In a certain direction | Forward, Downward |
| -wise | Relating to | Likewise, Clockwise |
| -y | Inclined to | Funny, Icy |
More Resources Related to Prefix and Suffixes
- List of common suffixes used to form adjective words.
- List of common spelling rules for adding ing suffix to words.
Final Words to Conclude
So, these were 50 different prefixes and suffixes with their meanings and examples. All levels of learners can benefit by this list. For beginners, this might be a little difficult in the beginning, but as you move on, it becomes easier.
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