List of Prefixes with Roots and Meanings

Use this list of Prefixes in English with roots and meanings for Grade 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 elementary, middle school and high school students and kids to learn the roots and meanings of English Prefixes.

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A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A Words

a, an (prefix)
Meaning: without; not
Examples of Use: amoral; anarchy

amb, ambi (prefix)
Meaning: both
Examples of Use: ambidextrous; ambiguity

amphi (prefix)
Meaning: around; on both sides
Examples of Use: amphitheater, amphibious

anti (prefix)
Meaning: against
Examples of Use: antidote; antipathy

apo (prefix)
Meaning: from; away from; off
Examples of Use: apology; apostate

B Words

bi (prefix)
Meaning: two
Examples of Use: bisect; bicycle

C Words

cata, cath (prefix)
Meaning: down; against
Examples of Use: catastrophe; cataract; cathode

contra (prefix)
Meaning: against; opposed
Examples of Use: contradict; controversial

D Words

dia (prefix)
Meaning: across; through
Examples of Use: diagram; diameter

E Words

epi, eph (prefix)
Meaning: upon; on the outside
Examples of Use: epilogue; ephemeral

extra (prefix)
Meaning: beyond; outside
Examples of Use: extraordinary; extravert

H Words

hemi (prefix)
Meaning: half
Examples of Use: hemisphere; hemistich

hetero (prefix)
Meaning: different
Examples of Use: heterogeneous; heterodox

hyper (prefix)
Meaning: over; above
Examples of Use: hyperbole; hypercritical

hypo (prefix)
Meaning: under
Examples of Use: hypodermic; hypostatic

I Words

infra (prefix)
Meaning: lower; less than
Examples of Use: infrahuman, inframarginal

intra (prefix)
Meaning: within
Examples of Use: intramural; intracellular

J Words

juxta (prefix)
Meaning: near; nearby
Examples of Use: justaposition; juxtatropical

M Words

meta (prefix)
Meaning: after; beyond
Examples of Use: metaphysical; metamorphosis

multi (prefix)
Meaning: many; much
Examples of Use: multitude; multiply

O Words

ob (prefix)
Meaning: to; toward; opposite; facing
Examples of Use: obstacle; obverse

P Words

para, par (prefix)
Meaning: by the side of; near
Examples of Use: parallel; parable

peri (prefix)
Meaning: around
Examples of Use: periscope; perimeter

preter (prefix)
Meaning: past; before; exceeding
Examples of Use: preternatural; predispose

proto (prefix)
Meaning: first, earliest form of
Examples of Use: protoplasm; prototype

R Words

retro (prefix)
Meaning: back
Examples of Use: retrograde, retrospection

S Words

semi (prefix)
Meaning: half, almost; twice in a given period
Examples of Use: semitropical; semiannual

subter (prefix)
Meaning: below; underneath; less than
Examples of Use: subterfuge; subterranean

super (prefix)
Meaning: over; above
Examples of Use: superman; supercilious

supra (prefix)
Meaning: above
Examples of Use: supraterrestrial; supramolecular

U Words

ultra (prefix)
Meaning: outside; excessive
Examples of Use: ultramarine; ultramodern

V Words

vice (prefix)
Meaning: one who takes the place of
Examples of Use: viceroy; vice president

To Use other lessons in our Language Arts go to out Language Arts Index page