Prefix & Suffix Chart
The building blocks of English words: common prefixes and suffixes with their meanings and examples. Every row links to a live list of matching words you can browse.
PREFIXES40
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| un- | not, opposite of | unhappy, unlock, unfair | un- words |
| re- | again, back | rebuild, replay, return | re- words |
| in- | not; into | invisible, inactive, insert | in- words |
| im- | not (before b, m, p) | impossible, immature | im- words |
| il- | not (before l) | illegal, illegible | il- words |
| ir- | not (before r) | irregular, irresistible | ir- words |
| dis- | not, opposite, apart | disagree, disappear | dis- words |
| non- | not, without | nonsense, nonstop | non- words |
| de- | remove, reduce, down | defrost, devalue, descend | de- words |
| pre- | before | preview, prehistoric | pre- words |
| post- | after | postpone, postwar | post- words |
| fore- | before, in front | forecast, forehead | fore- words |
| inter- | between, among | interact, international | inter- words |
| intra- | within | intramural, intravenous | intra- words |
| trans- | across, through | transport, translate | trans- words |
| sub- | under, below | submarine, subway | sub- words |
| super- | above, beyond | superstar, supersonic | super- words |
| over- | too much, above | overcook, overflow | over- words |
| under- | too little, beneath | underpaid, underground | under- words |
| out- | more than, outside | outperform, outdoor | out- words |
| up- | upward, better | upgrade, uplift | up- words |
| anti- | against | antifreeze, antisocial | anti- words |
| counter- | against, opposite | counterattack, counterpart | counter- words |
| co- | together, with | cooperate, coexist | co- words |
| com- / con- | with, together | combine, connect | con- words |
| ex- | out of, former | exit, export, ex-president | ex- words |
| en- / em- | cause to, put into | enable, empower | en- words |
| mis- | wrongly, badly | misspell, misunderstand | mis- words |
| mid- | middle | midnight, midway | mid- words |
| semi- | half, partly | semicircle, semifinal | semi- words |
| bi- | two | bicycle, bilingual | bi- words |
| tri- | three | triangle, tricycle | tri- words |
| uni- | one | unicycle, uniform | uni- words |
| mono- | one, single | monorail, monologue | mono- words |
| multi- | many | multitask, multimedia | multi- words |
| poly- | many | polygon, polyglot | poly- words |
| auto- | self | autopilot, autobiography | auto- words |
| tele- | far, distant | telephone, telescope | tele- words |
| micro- | small | microscope, microchip | micro- words |
| hyper- | excessive, above | hyperactive, hyperlink | hyper- words |
SUFFIXES36
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| -s / -es | plural | cats, boxes | -s words |
| -ed | past tense | jumped, walked | -ed words |
| -ing | ongoing action | running, singing | -ing words |
| -ly | in a certain manner | quickly, happily | -ly words |
| -er | one who; more | teacher, faster | -er words |
| -or | one who | actor, inventor | -or words |
| -est | the most | strongest, happiest | -est words |
| -tion / -sion | act or state of | creation, decision | -tion words |
| -ment | result or action | enjoyment, movement | -ment words |
| -ness | state or quality | kindness, darkness | -ness words |
| -ful | full of | hopeful, colorful | -ful words |
| -less | without | fearless, endless | -less words |
| -able / -ible | can be done | readable, flexible | -able words |
| -al | relating to | natural, musical | -al words |
| -ic | relating to | historic, poetic | -ic words |
| -ous | full of, having | dangerous, famous | -ous words |
| -ive | tending to | active, creative | -ive words |
| -ity / -ty | state or quality | activity, loyalty | -ity words |
| -ance / -ence | state or quality | importance, patience | -ance words |
| -en | made of; to become | wooden, strengthen | -en words |
| -ish | somewhat like | childish, reddish | -ish words |
| -ism | belief or practice | optimism, realism | -ism words |
| -ist | one who practices | artist, scientist | -ist words |
| -dom | state or realm | freedom, kingdom | -dom words |
| -hood | state or group | childhood, neighborhood | -hood words |
| -ship | state or skill | friendship, leadership | -ship words |
| -ology | study of | biology, geology | -ology words |
| -ward | direction | forward, backward | -ward words |
| -wise | in the manner of | clockwise, likewise | -wise words |
| -y | characterized by | rainy, sleepy | -y words |
| -cy | state or quality | accuracy, fluency | -cy words |
| -age | action or result | breakage, package | -age words |
| -ify | to make | simplify, clarify | -ify words |
| -ize / -ise | to make, to become | modernize, realize | -ize words |
| -ate | to make; having | activate, fortunate | -ate words |
| -proof | resistant to | waterproof, foolproof | -proof words |
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