Prefixes Worksheets, Examples & Definition For Kids

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Table of Contents

Letters or a group of letters attached at the beginning of a word are called prefixes. A prefix usually modifies or changes the meaning of a word.

See the fact file below for more information on Prefixes or alternatively, you can download our 32-page Prefixes worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Prefixes

“Pre” is a latin word meaning ‘before’ and “fix” which means to “attach.”
Prefixes have meanings but they are not considered as words.
Root words are words which form the basis of a new word.
By adding a prefix to a root word, a new word is created and usually its meaning is the opposite of the main word.

Examples:

Prefix	Meaning	Root word / Main word	Newly Formed Word
re-	again	fill	refill
sub-	under	title	subtitle

Knowing the meaning of prefixes can help in determining the definition of a new word formed.

Common Prefixes Used

Listed in the table are some of the most common prefixes used.

Prefix	Meaning	Examples
anti-	against, in opposition, opposite of	antisocial, anticlimax, antibiotic, antibacterial, antibody
co-	together, with, mutual	co-worker, co-pilot, co-manage, co-writer, co-owner
de-	remove, away from, separate from	demotivate, deform, defile, detour, defile
dis-	not, in opposition	disagree, disapprove, dislike, disconnect, disinfect
ex-	former, out of, from, out	ex-president, ex-girlfriend, ex-senator, ex-convict, ex-stepdad
il-, im-, in-, ir-	no, not, used to define a negative word	impossible, impatient, irregular, illegal, irresponsible
mis-	incorrect, mistaken, wrong	misinterpret, misunderstand, miscommunication, mistrust, misspell
pre-	before, prior to, in advance of	preheat, premade, preorder, preview, precook
re-	again, repeat	return, reunite, reheat, regain, replay
un-	not, no	undone, unfinished, untidy, unhappy, untie

Apart from where we usually use prefixes, they can also be used in different subjects such as in math and science.

Prefixes Used in Metric System

Prefixes can be used in the metric system.

Prefix	Examples
giga	gigabyte, gigabit, gigahertz
mega	megapixel, megahertz, megabyte
centi-	centimeter, centigram, centiliter
kilo	kilometer, kilogram, kilobyte
milli	milliliter, milligram, millimeter
deci	decimeter, decigram, deciliter
nano	nanometer, nanogram, nanowatts
tera-	terabyte, terapixel, terameter
hecto	hectometer, hectoliter, hectogram
deca	decameter, decagram, decaliter

Prefixes Used in Shapes

Examples of prefixes when used in shapes are listed below.

Prefix	Meaning	Root word / main word	New Word Formed
penta	five	gon (meaning “angles”)	pentagon
hexa	six	gon (meaning “angles”)	hexagon
hepta	hepta	gon (meaning “angles”)	heptagon
octa	eight	gon (meaning “angles”)	octagon
nona	nine	gon (meaning “angles”)	nonagon
deca	ten	gon (meaning “angles”)	decagon