Latin Roots: Prefixes
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This information sheet shows the most important prefixes which English has inherited from Latin. The basic form is shown first, with alternative forms in brackets. These alternative forms depend on the first letter of the root word. Meanings, explanations and examples are given on the right. While these meanings generally apply to most of their uses, sometimes the original meaning has changed significantly, or has even been lost. When you complete the exercises, see how many words keep the original meaning of the prefix.
| ab- (a-, abs-) |
from, away, off |
| ad- (a-, ac-, etc.) |
to, at, towards; the -d- usually changes to the first letter of the root word: accept, apply |
| circum- |
around, about |
| con- (col-, com-, etc.) |
with, together, alongside; the -m- usually changes to the first letter of the root word: compose, collect |
| de- |
down, off, back, away |
| dis- (dif-) |
apart, separately |
| ex- (e-) |
out, out of, away |
| in- (il-, im-, etc.) |
in, on, into, onto |
| inter- |
between, |
| intro- |
inside |
| ob- (obs-, of-) |
against, in the way, up against |
| per- |
through, by, across |
| post- |
after, behind |
| pre- |
before, in front of, ahead |
| pro- |
for, instead of, forward |
| re- (red-) |
back, again, backwards |
| se- |
apart, away |
| sub- (suc-, suf-, etc.) |
under, up to, up against, below, lower |
| super- |
over, above, higher, better |
| trans- |
across, beyond |
© Marc Loewenthal, eflworksheets.com, 2000-2008
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