Prefixes

Prefixes are placed before the words to modify their meanings; like suffixes, they are groups of letters that rarely serve a purpose unless attached to a word. Here is a list of commonly used prefixes to give you an idea of how to identify them.

Prefix

Meaning

Examples

-a

On/in/out/from

Away, aboard, arise, alight

-al

all

Alone, already

-be

by

Below, before

-by

Be/on the side

Bypass, byword

-for

through

forget, forgive

-fore

before

Forecast, foresee

-gain

against

Gainsay

-in

in

Inside, income

-mis

wrong

Mislead, mistake

-over

Above/beyond

overflow, overcharge

-out

out

Outside, outcome

-to

this

Today, tonight

-un

Not/to reverse an action

Unkind, untie

-under

below

Underground, undersell

-with

Against/back

Withdraw, withhold

-wel

In good condition

Welcome, welfare