Prefixes un-, re-, pre- and Their Meanings
Learn what prefixes un, re and pre mean and how they change words. A fun word-building lesson for ages 7-9 with matching and word games.
Key takeaways
- A prefix is added to the start of a word to change its meaning
- un- means not, re- means again, pre- means before
- Knowing prefix meanings helps you read new words
A helper at the front
A prefix is a little word part you add to the start of a word. It changes the word's meaning. ➕
When you know what a prefix means, you can figure out new words all by yourself!
un- means "not"
The prefix un- turns a word into its opposite. It means not.
- un + happy = unhappy (not happy) 😢
- un + lock = unlock (not locked) 🔓
- un + kind = unkind (not kind)
- un + tie = untie (not tied)
re- means "again"
The prefix re- means to do something again. 🔁
- re + do = redo (do again)
- re + build = rebuild (build again) 🧱
- re + read = reread (read again) 📖
- re + play = replay (play again)
pre- means "before"
The prefix pre- means before. 👀
- pre + view = preview (see before)
- pre + heat = preheat (heat before) 🔥
- pre + school = preschool (school before big school)
More handy prefixes
- dis- means the opposite: dis + like = dislike
- mis- means wrongly: mis + spell = misspell
A prefix table
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| un- | not | unhappy 😢 |
| re- | again | redo 🔁 |
| pre- | before | preview 👀 |
| dis- | opposite of | dislike |
| mis- | wrongly | misspell |
Try it
Add a prefix to make a new word:
- ___ + tie = untie (not tied)
- ___ + heat = preheat (heat before) 🔥
- ___ + play = replay (play again)
Super!
Now you have a toolbox of prefixes. Spot them at the front of words and you can read tricky words with ease!
Next, try Prefixes and Suffixes and Compound Words.
Quick quiz
Test yourself and earn XP
What does the prefix un- mean?
Un- means not. Unhappy means not happy 😢.
What does 'redo' mean?
Re- means again, so redo means do again 🔁.
Which word means 'see before'?
Pre- means before, so preview means see before 👀.
Play & learn
Match the prefix to its meaning +10 XP
Completed ✓ +10 XP
Match the new word to its meaning +10 XP
Completed ✓ +10 XP
FAQ
A prefix is a group of letters added to the start of a word that changes its meaning, like un-, re- or pre-.
Re- means again. For example, redo means to do something again.
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