Prefix and Suffix - Meaning, Definition, Examples List

Prefixes and suffixes are short syllables added to the beginning or end of words to change their meaning and/or function in a sentence. In this article, you will be introduced to the meaning and definition of a prefix and a suffix, along with an extensive list of base words and their prefixes and suffixes. You will also learn how the base word and the word with the prefix or suffix change meaning and function.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Prefix and a Suffix? – Meaning and Definition
• Spelling Rules to Be Followed When Adding a Prefix or a Suffix
• List of Commonly-Used Prefixes and Suffixes with Examples
• List of Words with a Prefix and a Suffix
• Frequently Asked Questions on Prefix and Suffix

What Is a Prefix and a Suffix? – Meaning and Definition

A prefix is a short morphological unit that is added to the beginning of a root word in order to alter its meaning and/or function. It can be just a single letter or two to five letters. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines a prefix as “a letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning, such as un- in unhappy and pre- in preheat”.

A suffix, on the other hand, is a short morphological unit that follows the root word. In other words, it is added to the end of the root word. A suffix can contain two to four letters. It is defined as “a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to make another word, such as -ly in quickly or -ness in sadness”, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary.

Spelling Rules to Be Followed When Adding a Prefix or a Suffix

The construction of new words from existing words in English always includes a change in their spellings. This is why there are spelling rules in English to help you easily remember and use them. Likewise, there are some basic spelling rules that you will have to apply when adding suffixes or prefixes.

When adding a prefix,

• You need not make any changes to the spelling of the base word; you can just write the prefix followed by the base word. For example, popular unpopular.
• In the case of prefixes such as ‘non’ and ‘ex’, you might have to add a hyphen in between the prefix and the root word. For example, non-violence, ex-serviceman.

When adding a suffix,

• The spelling of the root word might/might not change.
• For all words that end with consonants other than ‘y’, you can simply add the suffix to the end of the root word. For example, truth truthful, quick quickly.
• For words ending with ‘y’, you will have to remove the ‘y’, add an ‘i’ and then add suffixes such as ‘al’ or ‘ly’. For instance, try trial, happy happily.
• An exception to the above rule is in the case of monosyllabic words without vowels. For example, shy shyly, sly slyly.
• There are words to which ‘ity’ is added instead of ‘ty’. This is for words that end with an ‘e’. The ‘e’ is omitted and ‘ity’ is added. For example, sensitive sensitivity, creative creativity. This is also the case when the suffix ‘al’ is already added to the base word. For example, sentimental sentimentality, functional functionality.
• For most monosyllabic words and some disyllabic words ending in ‘e’, you will have to remove the ‘e’ and add suffixes such as ‘able’ and ‘age’. For example, use usage, move movable, love lovable, adore adorable, relate relatable.
• There are some exceptions to the above rule. For instance, like likeable, manage manageable, recharge rechargeable.
• The same is the case with words that take the suffix ‘ible’. For example, sense sensible, collapse collapsible.
• With suffixes such as ‘tion’ and ‘sion’, you will have to omit the last consonant and the silent ‘e’. This is in the case of words ending in ‘de’ or ‘te’. For example, divide division, fixate fixation, ignite ignition.
• When only the silent ‘e’ has to be omitted before adding ‘tion, you will have to add an ‘a’ before the suffix ‘tion’. This applies to words ending in ‘re’ or ‘se’. For instance, converse conversation, mechanise mechanisation, admire admiration.
• When adding ‘er’ and ‘est’ to the adjective, it forms the comparative and superlative degrees of comparison. Some monosyllabic adjectives would require you to double the final consonant before adding the suffix. You can learn more about this by going through the article on degrees of comparison.
• For words ending with ‘y’, when adding suffixes like ‘ness’, you will have to change the ‘y’ into ‘i’ and then add ‘ness’. For example, happy happiness, lively liveliness. Words such as ‘dry’ and ‘shy’ do not follow the same pattern. For example, shyness, dryness.
• Sometimes, you will have to add ‘li’ and then ‘ness’ to the end of the root word. For instance, clean cleanliness, kind kindliness/kindness.

When adding a prefix and a suffix,

• The above-said spelling rules of prefixes and suffixes apply. For example, success unsuccessful, happy unhappily.

List of Commonly-Used Prefixes and Suffixes with Examples

The most common prefixes are as follows.

• A- (abiotic, atypical)
• Un- (undo, unfold)
• Im- (impolite, immature)
• In- (intolerant, indisciplined)
• Il- (illogical, illegible)
• Ir- (irregular, irresponsible)
• De- (decode, destress)
• Re- (redo, reappear)
• Dis- (disinterested, disobedient)
• Mis- (misunderstand, misinterpret)
• Pro- (proactive)
• Sub- (subconscious, substandard)
• Pre- (preset, predetermine)
• Non- (nonexistent, non-violence)
• Anti- (antifungal, antiviral)
• Post- (postmodern, postoperative)
• Inter- (interdependent, interrelated)

Check out the prefixes list for more examples.

The most common suffixes are

• -y (honesty, noisy)
• -ly (quickly, softly)
• -ty (loyalty, sincerity)
• -ry (bravery, mockery)
• -er (larger, brighter)
• -al (parental, bacterial)
• -est (fastest, biggest)
• -age (usage, breakage)
• -ing (trying, binding)
• -ful (truthful, fruitful)
• -ment (shipment, basement)
• -ness (happiness, blindness)
• -able (bearable, eatable)
• -ible (sensible, convertible)
• -less (fearless, baseless)
• -ship (friendship, internship)
• -hood (parenthood, brotherhood)
• -sion (conversion, invasion)
• -tion (invention, exhibition)

Check out the suffixes list for more examples.

Let us take a look at words that take both prefixes and suffixes.

List of Words with a Prefix and a Suffix