Prefix, Suffix, and Infix Examples with Meanings
Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word.
| Prefix | Meaning | Example | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| un- | not, opposite of | unhappy | Not happy |
| re- | again, back | rewrite | Write again |
| pre- | before | pregame | Before the game |
| dis- | not, opposite of | disagree | Not agree |
| mis- | wrongly, badly | misunderstand | Understand wrongly |
| over- | too much | overcook | Cook too much |
| sub- | under, below | submarine | A boat that travels underwater |
Suffixes are added to the end of a word.
| Suffix | Meaning | Example | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| -ing | present participle | walking | The act of walking |
| -ed | past tense | walked | Did walk |
| -er | someone who does something | worker | Someone who works |
| -ness | state of being | happiness | The state of being happy |
| -ful | full of | careful | Full of care |
| -less | without | careless | Without care |
| -ly | in a certain way | quickly | In a quick way |
Infixes are inserted into the middle of a word.
| Infix | Meaning | Example | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| -a- | intensifier | fan-a-tastic | Extremely fantastic |
| -o- | intensifier | stup-o-r | State of being extremely confused |
| -en- | intensifier | strong-en | Make stronger |
| -ing- | present participle | bl-ing-ing | Making a blinging sound |
Note: Infixes are less common than prefixes and suffixes in English, and are often used in informal or slang language.
These are just a few examples, and there are many other prefixes, suffixes, and infixes in English. You can find more information about them in a dictionary or grammar book.