How Many of These Prefixes and Suffixes Can You Define?

Prefixes change the meaning of a root word and come at the beginning of them. For example, the prefix un- completely changes the meaning of the word involved by making it uninvolved.

This prefix can be found in words like postmortem, postpone and post-rock. It means "after."

This suffix can be seen in words like ruthless and hopeless. A hopeless situation is one without hope.

This prefix means "before." For example if something is "anterior" it is positioned toward the front.

When -y is added to adjectives as a suffix, it means that something is characterized by that suffix. For example, flowers are dainty.

The prefix "circum-" means around. This is why to circumnavigate the globe means to travel all the way around the world.

The suffix -ous transforms the word religion from a noun to an adjective. The suffixes -ious and -ous mean a person is characterized by the words these suffixes follow.

The prefix "dis-" means "not." This is why when you disapprove of something, you don't approve of it.

The prefix "Extra-" means "more than" or "beyond." The word extra-terrestrial refers to aliens, because they are more than or beyond living on earth.

This is a common suffix seen in words like greenish and childish. Someone who is childish has the qualities of a child.

This prefix means before. This is why the word forefather refers to those who came before the current generation.

The suffix "-dom" describes a state of being or place. This is why a kingdom is the place of the King.

The suffix "-ize" means to become. When you publicize something, it becomes public.

These prefixes all mean "not." This is why we have words like impossible, irreligious and illegal.

This suffix transforms a word into a state. For example, a democracy is an organization that operates in a democratic way.

This prefix can be seen a number of words referring to the middle of a time or position. For example, "Midsummer" refers to the middle of summer.

This prefix can mean all or every. A herbivore eats only plants but an omnivore eats everything.

The suffixes "-er" and "-or" both function in this way. This is why a reader is a person who reads and a creator is a person who creates.

This prefix means again. This is why to rediscover something means to discover it again.

"Sub-" means "under." This is why submarines go under the sea and to be submissive is to put the will of another above your own.

A doctrine is a set of principles held by a group. This is why we have words like Judaism, Buddhism and Realism.

This prefix means "two." For example, someone who is bilingual speaks two languages.

This is a common suffix, which can be seen in the word "criminal." A criminal is one who has taken the action of committing crimes.

"Macro-" means "large." For example, the word "macrocosm" refers to the whole of a large complex structure.

"Mis-" is a very common prefix which means "wrong." For example, to misunderstand something means to not understand it.

The suffix "-ist" is added onto words to change them to describe a person who performs those actions. This is why a scientist is part of the scientific process.

The suffix "-en" is put on verbs to help describe something in the process of becoming that verb. For example, words like straighten, sharpen and strengthen.

The prefix "anti-" means against. For example, antidepressants are taken to fight depression.

The suffixes "-able" and "-ible" show that something or something is capable of embodying an adjective. For examples, someone or something that is adorable is capable of being adored.

These suffixes all make a noun become a verb. For example, when you simplify something you make it simple.

This prefix can mean "former." This is why your ex-boyfriend is your former boyfriend.

The suffixes -ward and -wards relate to direction. For example, words like backwards, forward, and toward.

Slow describes movement. Slowly, however, gives that specific movement quality to a noun.

The prefix "co-" means "with." For example, you work with your coworker.

The prefix "super-" means above or over. Something supernatural is above or beyond the natural.