Prefix & Suffix Reference
Quick reference for common English prefixes and suffixes, organized by frequency.
Prefixes
Tier 1High Frequency
These appear constantly. Learn these first.
| Affix | Meaning | Origin | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| un- | not, opposite | OE | undo, unclear, unfair |
| re- | again, back | L | return, review, rebuild |
| in-/im-/il-/ir- | not, in/into | L | invisible, impossible, illegal, irregular |
| dis- | not, apart | L | disagree, disappear, disconnect |
| pre- | before | L | preview, predict, prepare |
| con-/com-/co- | with, together | L | connect, combine, cooperate |
| de- | down, away, reverse | L | decrease, depart, decode |
| ex-/e- | out, from | L | exit, export, emit |
Tier 2Medium Frequency
Common in academic vocabulary.
| Affix | Meaning | Origin | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| pro- | forward, for | L | progress, promote, proclaim |
| sub- | under, below | L | submarine, subtract, subject |
| trans- | across | L | transfer, transport, translate |
| inter- | between | L | interact, international, interrupt |
| mis- | wrong, bad | OE | mistake, misunderstand, mislead |
| over- | too much, above | OE | overflow, overlook, overcome |
| super- | above, beyond | L | superhero, supernatural, supervise |
| anti- | against | G | antibiotic, antisocial, antidote |
Tier 3Lower Frequency
Useful but less common.
| Affix | Meaning | Origin | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| ab-/abs- | away from | L | absent, abnormal, abstract |
| ad- | to, toward | L | advance, adapt, attract |
| bene- | good, well | L | benefit, benevolent, benefactor |
| bi- | two | L | bicycle, bilingual, biweekly |
| circum- | around | L | circumference, circumstance |
| contra-/counter- | against | L | contradict, counteract |
| dia- | through, across | G | diameter, dialogue, diagnose |
| hyper- | over, excessive | G | hyperactive, hyperbole |
| hypo- | under, below | G | hypothesis, hypothermia |
| mal- | bad | L | malfunction, malicious |
| mono- | one | G | monotone, monopoly, monologue |
| multi- | many | L | multiply, multitude |
| non- | not | L | nonfiction, nonsense |
| omni- | all | L | omnivore, omniscient |
| post- | after | L | postpone, postscript |
| semi- | half | L | semicircle, semifinal |
| syn-/sym- | together, with | G | synonym, sympathy, synchronize |
| tri- | three | L/G | triangle, tripod, trilogy |
| uni- | one | L | uniform, universe, unite |
Suffixes
Tier 1High Frequency
These appear constantly. Learn these first.
| Affix | Meaning | Origin | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| -tion/-sion | act, state, result | L | action, decision, tension |
| -er/-or | one who, agent | L/OE | teacher, actor, writer |
| -able/-ible | capable of, worthy | L | readable, visible, flexible |
| -ment | state, action, result | L | movement, statement, judgment |
| -ness | state, quality | OE | darkness, happiness, kindness |
| -ity/-ty | state, quality | L | activity, quality, ability |
| -ous/-ious/-eous | full of, having | L | famous, curious, gorgeous |
| -ly | in what manner | OE | quickly, carefully, really |
Tier 2Medium Frequency
Common in academic vocabulary.
| Affix | Meaning | Origin | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| -al/-ial | relating to | L | musical, special, memorial |
| -ive/-ative/-itive | tending to | L | active, creative, sensitive |
| -ful | full of | OE | helpful, beautiful, powerful |
| -less | without | OE | hopeless, careless, endless |
| -ary/-ery/-ory | relating to, place | L | dictionary, scenery, factory |
| -ant/-ent | one who, being | L | assistant, student, different |
| -ance/-ence | state, quality | L | importance, difference, presence |
| -ist | one who practices | G | artist, scientist, specialist |
| -ism | belief, practice | G | capitalism, criticism, heroism |
Tier 3Lower Frequency
Useful but less common.
| Affix | Meaning | Origin | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| -acy | state, quality | L | accuracy, democracy, privacy |
| -age | action, state, result | L | storage, passage, marriage |
| -ate | make, become, having | L | activate, fortunate, graduate |
| -dom | state, realm | OE | freedom, kingdom, wisdom |
| -ee | one who receives | L | employee, trainee, refugee |
| -en | make, become | OE | strengthen, widen, wooden |
| -fy/-ify | make, cause | L | simplify, magnify, clarify |
| -ic/-ical | relating to | G | magic, historical, classical |
| -ize/-ise | make, become | G | organize, realize, criticize |
| -logy/-ology | study of | G | biology, technology, psychology |
| -ship | state, condition | OE | friendship, leadership, membership |
| -ure | action, result | L | failure, pressure, measure |
Origin Key
L = LatinG = GreekOE = Old EnglishL/G = Both Latin and Greek