Word formation
A lot of English words are formed from two or more different parts.
In some words a prefix has been added at the beginning, before the main part of the word, and this changes its meaning. For example, the Word semicircle is made up of two parts – the prefix semi- (meaning ‘half’) and the Word circle; so a semicircle is a half-circle.
In some words a suffix has been added at the end, after the main part of the word. For example, the Word painless is made up of the Word pain and the suffix -less (meaning ‘without’); so painless means ‘without pain’.
There are also words that have a prefix at the beginning as well as a suffix at the end. For example, unrecognizable is made up of the prefix un- (meaning ‘not’), the Word recognize and the suffix -able (used to say that something can be done to the subject); so something that is unrecognizable cannot be recognized.
If you know what the parts of a Word mean, you can often guess its meaning. The definitions of prefixes and suffixes listed below will help you. Note that a prefix or a suffix may have two meanings. For example, sub- can mean (1) under (as in subway) or (2) less than (as in sub-zero).
A lot of English words are formed from two or more different parts.
In some words a prefix has been added at the beginning, before the main part of the word, and this changes its meaning. For example, the Word semicircle is made up of two parts – the prefix semi- (meaning ‘half’) and the Word circle; so a semicircle is a half-circle.
In some words a suffix has been added at the end, after the main part of the word. For example, the Word painless is made up of the Word pain and the suffix -less (meaning ‘without’); so painless means ‘without pain’.
There are also words that have a prefix at the beginning as well as a suffix at the end. For example, unrecognizable is made up of the prefix un- (meaning ‘not’), the Word recognize and the suffix -able (used to say that something can be done to the subject); so something that is unrecognizable cannot be recognized.
If you know what the parts of a Word mean, you can often guess its meaning. The definitions of prefixes and suffixes listed below will help you. Note that a prefix or a suffix may have two meanings. For example, sub- can mean (1) under (as in subway) or (2) less than (as in sub-zero).