PREFIXES
The following table lists the most common English language prefixes, their mean-
ings, and examples of words with each prefix.
PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLES
a-, an- not, without atypical, anarchy, amorphous
ab-, abs- from, away, off abnormal, abduct, abscond
ante- prior to, in front of, before antedate, antecedent, antebellum
ant-, anti- opposite, opposing, against antidote, antagonist, antipathy
bi- two, twice bisect, bilateral, bicameral
circum- around, about, on all sides circumference, circumnavigate,
circumspect
co-, com-, with, together, jointly cooperate, community, consensus
con-
contra- against, contrary, contrasting contradict, contraindication
counter- contrary, opposite or opposing; counterclockwise, countermeasure,
complementary counterpart
de- do the opposite or reverse of; remove from, deactivate, dethrone, detract
reduce
dis- away from, apart, reversal, not disperse, dismiss, disinterested
APPENDIX B
Prefixes, Suffixes,
and Word Roots
173WORD LIST