A prefix is a chunk stuck on the front of a word. It changes what the word means without changing the word underneath.
Prefix A chunk added to the front of a word that changes its meaning.
Step 1: Let's Learn
Read it, or press Listen and follow the words.
It is a chunk, like a syllable
Which is why this belongs in a chapter about long words. Reading unhappy as un + happy is two chunks, not seven letters.
But this chunk carries meaning
A syllable is just sound. A prefix means something on its own, so it tells you about the word as well as helping you read it.
un- means not
Unhappy is not happy. Unkind is not kind. Unlock is the opposite of lock.
re- means again
Redo is do again. Rewrite is write again. Return is turn back, which is nearly the same idea.
pre- means before
Preview is a view before. Prepay is pay before. Preheat is heat before you start.
So you can work out a word you have never met
You have never seen "unpack" before? un means not, pack means to fill a bag. Unpack means to take things out.
Check the base is a real word
You met this before. Under is not un + der, because "der" is not a word. Uncle is not un + cle.
Step 2: Watch an Example
One step at a time.
Working Out a New Word
Sam meets "rebuild" for the first time.
- Step 1
He covers re- and sees build, which he knows.
Three Prefixes on One Base
Ana looks at the word "view".
- Step 1
Preview is a view before.
The Check That Stops Overfiring
Sam tries the trick on the word "uncle".
- Step 1
He covers un- and is left with "cle".
Step 3: Your Turn
Practice makes it stick.
A New Word
Problem 1 of 2
You have never seen "unpack". What does it mean?
The Word uncle
Problem 2 of 2
You cover un- in "uncle" and get "cle". What does that tell you?
Chunks at the Front
1 of 5
What does un- mean?
2 of 5
What does pre- mean?
3 of 5
How is a prefix different from an ordinary syllable?
4 of 5
What does "review" mean?
5 of 5
How do you check a prefix is really there?
Step 4: Quick Check
Show what you know.
Question 1 of 1
What does "preheat" mean?
What You Learned
- A prefix is a chunk on the front that changes the meaning.
- un- means not, re- means again, pre- means before.
- Unlike a syllable, a prefix carries meaning as well as sound.
- Check what is left is a real word — uncle is not un + cle.