Prefixes

For grown-ups: this lesson in words

Years 3 to 6 · English

Prefixes: I can add a prefix to a root word and say how it changes the meaning.

1. A prefix is a group of letters we add to the front of a root word.

   Here, the prefix dis joins the root word agree. We just add it on.

   Dis means not. So disagree means not agree.

   Picture: The prefix "dis" and the root word "agree" join to make "disagree". It means "Not agree".

2. Different prefixes mean different things. Here is the prefix mis.

   Mis means wrongly or badly.

   Mis joins behave to make misbehave. To misbehave is to behave badly.

   Picture: The prefix "mis" and the root word "behave" join to make "misbehave". It means "Behave badly".

3. Your turn: Dis means not. Which word means not honest?

   Choose one:

   • rehonest
   • dishonest
   • mishonest

   Answer

   The answer: dishonest

   Dis means not, so dishonest means not honest.

   Picture: The prefix "dis" and the root word "honest" join to make "dishonest". It means "Not honest".

Words to know

prefix:

Letters added to the front of a word to change its meaning.

root word:

The word a prefix is added to.