Prefixes
Add Letters Before a Word to Change Its MeaningLearn how adding a few letters at the START of a word creates a brand new word!
📖 Let’s Learn Prefixes!
A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. For example, the word “happy” means feeling good. But when you add the prefix “un-“ before it, you get “unhappy” — which means NOT happy!
Prefixes are like magic switches — they can turn a word into its opposite, change its meaning, or add new information. Once you learn common prefixes, you can understand hundreds of new words without memorizing each one!
💡 The Rule
A prefix is added to the beginning of a word. It changes the meaning but the spelling of the base word stays the same. un + happy = unhappy (not happy).
🎯 Key Concept
🔧 un- = not (unhappy, unkind, unfair)
🔄 re- = again (redo, rewrite, replay)
❌ dis- = opposite (dislike, disagree, disappear)
⏮️ pre- = before (preview, prepaid, preschool)
📋 The 6 Most Common Prefixes
Means NOT or opposite: unhappy, unfair, unlock, unable
Means AGAIN or back: redo, rewrite, replay, return
Means NOT or opposite: dislike, disagree, disappear
Means BEFORE: preview, preschool, prepaid, predict
Means WRONG: mistake, misuse, misplace, misspell
Means NOT: impossible, impatient, invisible, incorrect
🔧 Word Groups & Examples
Learn with organized examples and sentences!
UN- (means NOT)
RE- (means AGAIN)
DIS- (means NOT / OPPOSITE)
PRE- (means BEFORE) & MIS- (means WRONG)
📢 Read & Say: Base Word → Prefix Word
Say the base word first, then add the prefix!
✏️ Add the Right Prefix
Choose the right answer!
1. Not happy = ___happy
2. Write again = ___write
3. Not agree = ___agree
4. See before = ___view
5. Spell wrongly = ___spell
🎯 Which Prefix?
Click each word to reveal its prefix!
Click any to check!
📝 Sentence Reading Practice
Read each sentence — find the prefix word and figure out its meaning!
Priya was unhappy because it was raining on her birthday.
The teacher asked us to rewrite the paragraph neatly.
I dislike getting up early in winter mornings.
We saw a preview of the new movie at the cinema.
It is wrong to be dishonest with your friends.
Oh no! I misspelled “Wednesday” on the test!
Memory Trick
Remember: A prefix goes at the START of a word (like a hat on your head!). UN = NOT, RE = AGAIN, DIS = OPPOSITE, PRE = BEFORE, MIS = WRONG. Just 5 prefixes unlock hundreds of words!
🎮 Prefixes Quiz
Test what you’ve learned!
What is a prefix?
What does “un-” mean?
What does “re-” mean?
“Unhappy” means…
“Rewrite” means…
“Disappear” means…
“Preview” means…
“Misspell” means…
🎉 Quiz Complete!
0/8Fun Facts
The prefix “un-“ is the most common prefix in English! It’s used in over 1,000 words: unhappy, unfair, unlock, unable, unusual, uncertain…
The word “prefix” itself has a prefix! Pre- (before) + fix (attach) = something attached BEFORE. How cool is that?
🧠 Tips for Parents
Prefix of the Day
Pick one prefix per day. Ask your child to find 5 words with that prefix. Write them in a notebook!
Spot in Books
While reading together, pause at prefix words: “What does UNKIND mean? UN means NOT, so unkind = not kind!”
Prefix Match Game
Write prefixes (un, re, dis) on cards and base words (happy, do, like) on other cards. Kids match to make words!