A prefix is a type of affix that is added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. In English, prefixes are commonly used to create new words by adding a prefix to an existing word.
Some common prefixes in English include:
1. un- (meaning not): e.g. unhappy, unable 2. re- (meaning again): e.g. redo, revisit 3. dis- (meaning opposite or not): e.g. disagree, disconnect 4. pre- (meaning before): e.g. preheat, preview 5. mis- (meaning wrong or badly): e.g. misunderstand, misbehave 6. anti- (meaning against): e.g. anti-inflammatory, anti-war 7. bi- (meaning two): e.g. bicycle, bilingual 8. non- (meaning not): e.g. nonstop, nonfiction
Prefixes can change the meaning of a word in various ways, such as negating the original meaning, indicating repetition or intensity, or specifying a time or location. Understanding prefixes can help expand your vocabulary and improve your understanding of the English language.