IN DIS

EXTRA NON

POST

SUPER UN

Can prefixes help you discover the meanings of words? ______________

Is less a prefix?___________

Is un a prefix?____________

Prefixes make words shorter?_________

A prefix is a word part added to the

beginning of a root word.

A prefix changes the meaning of a

word.

A suffix is a word part added to the

end of a root word.

A suffix also changes the meaning of a

word.

Examples of words containing prefixes

• Bicycle Dishonest

• Extracurricular In able

• International Misinform

• Nonstop Post-game

• Preheat Review

• Subnormal Supernatural

• Uncooked

Trust

Distrust

Prefixes

Prefix Meaning Example• bi- two bicycle (a cycle with two wheels)• dis- not dishonest (not honest)• extra-outside of extracurricular (outside of curriculum)• in- not in able (not able)• inter-between international (between nations)• mis- bad misinform (inform badly)• non- not, without nonstop (without stopping)• post- after post-game (after the game)• pre- before preheat (heat before)• re- again review (view again)• sub- below subnormal (below normal)• super-above supernatural (above the natural)• un- not uncooked (not cooked)

SuffixesSuffix Meaning Example

• -able capable of fixable (capable of being fixed)• -en to cause to become moisten (to cause to

become moist)• -er someone who teacher (someone who teaches)• -ful full of beautiful (full of beauty)• -less without hopeless (without hope)• -ly like, resembling

happily (resembling happy)

• -ment act of doing movement (the act of moving)• -ness quality kindess (the quality of being

kind)• -or someone who illustrator (someone who

illustrates)• -ship status, condition relationship (the status of relating)• -tion the result of invention (the result of inventing)

Randy’s bike tire was flat. He couldn’t find the pump because the garage was in disorder. “It’s hopeless,” said Randy. “I’ll never make it to the soccer game on time.”

“That’s nonsense,” said his brother Jake. “You can use my bike.”

“Gee, thanks,” said Randy, hopping on the bike.

Suffixes We Know

Examples

-er one who

-or one who

-less without

-able, -ible can be

farmer

actor

useless

buildable

reversible

Prefixes We Know

Examples

im- not

in- not

bi- two

non- not

dis- not or opposite of

improper

incomplete

bicycle

nonstop

disagree

“See, I can be likable!” said Jake with a grin.