English
Common prefixes.
Definition
Letter groups added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Prefixes are one of the most reliable tools for figuring out unfamiliar words because they consistently modify meaning in predictable ways.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 'un-' (not) → unhappy, unlikely, undo
- 2 're-' (again) → rewrite, rebuild, reconsider
- 3 'mis-' (wrongly) → misunderstand, misspell, mislead
Key Fact
The four most common prefixes (un-, re-, in-/im-, dis-) appear in nearly 60% of all prefixed English words.