Glossary

prefix

Subject: 

  • English First Additional Language
  • English Home Language

the letters added to the beginning of a root that change its meaning. The most common prefixes are:

  • ante- meaning before, e.g. antediluvian
  • pre- meaning before, e.g. pre-war
  • demo- meaning of the people, e.g. democracy
  • il- meaning not, e.g. illegal
  • multi- meaning many, e.g. multi-dimensional
  • tri- meaning three, e.g. tricycle
  • bi- meaning two, e.g. bicycle
  • non- meaning not, e.g. non-event
  • ir- meaning not, e.g. irregular
  • semi- meaning half, e.g. semi-circle
  • in- meaning not, e.g. incapable
  • mis- meaning wrong, e.g. misplaced