Word FormationSuffixExample

-isestabilise, characterise, symbolise, visualise, specialise

-atedifferentiate, liquidate, pollinate, duplicate, fabricate

-fyclassify, exemplify, simplify, justify

-enawaken, fasten, shorten, moisten

PrefixMeaningExamples

anti-againstanticlimax, antidote, antithesis

auto-selfautobiography, automobile

bi-twobilingualism, biculturalism, bi-metalism

co-jointco-founder, co-owner, co-descendant

counter-againstcounter-argument, counter-example, counter-proposal

dis-the converse ofdiscomfort, dislike

ex-formerex-chairman, ex-hunter

hyper-extremehyperinflation, hypersurface

in-the converse ofinattention, incoherence, incompatibility

in-insideinpatient,

inter-betweeninteraction, inter-change, interference

kilo-thousandkilobyte

mal-badmalfunction, maltreatment, malnutrition

mega-millionmegabyte

mis-wrongmisconduct, misdeed, mismanagement

mini-smallmini-publication, mini-theory

mono-onemonosyllable, monograph, monogamy

neo-newneo-colonialism, neo-impressionism

out-separateoutbuilding,

poly-manypolysyllable

pseudo-falsepseudo-expert

re-againre-organisation, re-assessment, re-examination

semi-halfsemicircle, semi-darkness

sub-belowsubset, subdivision

super-more than, abovesuperset, superimposition, superpowers

sur-over and abovesurtax

tele-distanttelecommunications,

tri-threetripartism

ultra-beyondultrasound

under-below, too littleunderpayment, under-development, undergraduate

vice-deputyvice-president

SuffixMeaningExamples

-tion-sionaction/instance of V-ingalteration, demonstrationexpansion, inclusion, admission

-erperson who V-ssomething used for V-ingadvertiser, drivercomputer, silencer

-mentaction/instance of V-ingdevelopment, punishment, unemployment

-ant-entperson who V-sassistant, consultantstudent

-ageaction/result of Vbreakage, wastage, package

-alaction/result of Vdenial, proposal, refusal, dismissal

-ence-anceaction/result of Vpreference, dependence, interferenceattendance, acceptance, endurance

-ery/-ryaction/instance of V-ingplace of V-ingbribery, robbery, miseryrefinery, bakery

SuffixMeaningExamples

-erperson concerned with Nastronomer, geographer

-ismdoctrine of NMarxism, Maoism, Thatcherism

-shipstate of being Nfriendship, citizenship, leadership

-agecollection of Nbaggage, plumage

SuffixMeaningExamples

-itystate or quality of being Aability, similarity, responsibility, curiosity

-nessstate or quality of being Adarkness, preparedness, consciousness

-cystate or quality of being Aurgency, efficiency, frequency

Adjectives

SuffixExample

-alcentral, political, national, optional, professional

-entdifferent, dependent, excellent

-iveattractive, effective, imaginative, repetitive

-ouscontinuous, dangerous, famous

-fulbeautiful, peaceful, careful

-lessendless, homeless, careless, thoughtless

-abledrinkable, countable, avoidable,

PrefixExamples

un-unfortunate, uncomfortable, unjust

im-/in-/ir-/il-immature, impatient, improbable, inconvenient, irreplaceable, illegal

non-non-fiction, non-political, non-neutral

dis-disloyal, dissimilar, dishonest

Verbs

e.g. prefix + verb verb

PrefixMeaningExamples

re-again or backrestructure, revisit, reappear, rebuild, refinance

dis-reverses the meaning of the verbdisappear, disallow, disarm, disconnect, discontinue

over-too muchoverbook, oversleep, overwork

un-reverses the meaning of the verbunbend, uncouple, unfasten

mis-badly or wronglymislead, misinform, misidentify

out-more or better than othersoutperform, outbid

be-make or causebefriend, belittle

co-togetherco-exist, co-operate, co-own

de-do the opposite ofdevalue, deselect

fore-earlier, beforeforeclose, foresee

inter-betweeninteract, intermix, interface

pre-beforepre-expose, prejudge, pretest

sub-under/belowsubcontract, subdivide

trans-across, overtransform, transcribe, transplant

under-not enoughunderfund, undersell, undervalue, underdevelop