Common Prefixes

re-

Meaning: again or back Example: restructure, revisit, reappear, rebuild, refinance

dis-

Meaning: reverses the meaning of the verb Example: disappear, disallow, disarm, disconnect, discontinue

over-

Meaning: too much Example: overbook, oversleep, overwork

un-

Meaning: reverses the meaning of the verb Example: unbend, uncouple, unfasten

mis-

Meaning: badly or wrongly Example: mislead, misinform, misidentify

out-

Meaning: more or better than others Example: outperform, outbid

be-

Meaning: make or cause Example: befriend, belittle

co-

Meaning: together Example: co-exist, co-operate, co-own

de-

Meaning: do the opposite of devalue, deselect

fore-

Meaning: earlier, before Example: foreclose, foresee

inter-

Meaning: between Example: interact, intermix, interface

pre-

Meaning: before Example: pre-expose, prejudge, pretest

sub-

Meaning: under/below Example: subcontract, subdivide

trans-

Meaning: across, over Example: transform, transcribe, transplant

under-

Meaning: not enough Example: underfund, undersell, undervalue, underdeveloped