Prefixes and Suffixes
Learn prefixes like un- and re- and suffixes like -ing and -ed that change words. A fun reading lesson for ages 6-8 with word-building games.
Key takeaways
- A prefix goes at the start of a word
- A suffix goes at the end of a word
- un- means 'not' and re- means 'again'
Word parts that change words
Some words have extra parts added to them. A small part at the start is a prefix. A small part at the end is a suffix. 🔤
These parts are like clothes for words. Add one and the word changes its meaning!
Prefixes go at the start
A prefix is added to the front of a word. Two helpful prefixes are un- and re-.
- un- means not: un + happy = unhappy 🙁
- un- means undo: un + lock = unlock 🔓
- re- means again: re + play = replay 🔁
- re- means again: re + read = reread 📖
So if you redo your drawing, you do it again. 🎨
Suffixes go at the end
A suffix is added to the end of a word. Common suffixes are -ing, -ed and -ful.
- -ing means doing it now: jump + ing = jumping 🦘
- -ed means it already happened: play + ed = played ✅
- -ful means full of: help + ful = helpful 🤝
- -ful means full of: joy + ful = joyful 😄
A word list to read
| Root word | Add a part | New word |
|---|---|---|
| happy | un- | unhappy 🙁 |
| play | re- | replay 🔁 |
| run | -ing | running 🏃 |
| jump | -ed | jumped ✅ |
| care | -ful | careful 🧐 |
| paint | -ing | painting 🎨 |
How to read a long word
When a word looks long, find the parts:
- Spot the prefix at the start (un-, re-). 👀
- Find the root word in the middle.
- Spot the suffix at the end (-ing, -ed, -ful).
- Read them all together!
So unhelpful is un + help + ful. You can read it!
Super reading!
Now you know prefixes start words and suffixes end them. Look for these parts in your books!
Next, try Word Families and First Sight Words.
Quick quiz
Test yourself and earn XP
What does the prefix 'un-' mean?
Un- means 'not', so unhappy means not happy 🙁.
Add '-ing' to jump. What is the word?
Jump + ing = jumping, doing it right now 🦘.
Where does a prefix go?
A prefix is added to the start of a word, like re- in replay.
Play & learn
Prefix and suffix cards +5 XP
Completed ✓ +5 XP
Match the word part to its meaning +10 XP
Completed ✓ +10 XP
FAQ
A prefix is a word part added to the start of a word to change its meaning, like un- in unhappy.
A suffix is a word part added to the end of a word, like -ing in jumping or -ed in played.
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