Suffix vs. Prefix: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A suffix is an addition to the end of a word (e.g., "-ness" in "happiness"), while a prefix is added to the beginning (e.g., "un-" in "unlikely").
Key Differences
A suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to modify its meaning or create a new word, often changing the word class. In contrast, a prefix is attached to the beginning of a word, altering its meaning without usually changing its word class.
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Suffixes often change the grammatical function of a word, such as turning a verb into a noun (e.g., "run" to "runner") or an adjective into a noun (e.g., "happy" to "happiness"). Prefixes, however, typically modify the meaning of a word by adding a negation, intensity, or other nuances (e.g., "happy" to "unhappy").
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Common suffixes include "-ful" (as in "hopeful"), "-ness" (as in "sadness"), and "-ly" (as in "quickly"). Common prefixes include "un-" (as in "undo"), "re-" (as in "redo"), and "dis-" (as in "disagree").
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Many suffixes can change the word class; for example, "-tion" changes verbs to nouns (e.g., "inform" to "information"). Prefixes usually retain the original word class; for instance, "un-" added to an adjective still forms an adjective ("happy" to "unhappy").
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Suffixes and prefixes in English often originate from Latin or Greek, influencing their meaning and usage. The variety of suffixes and prefixes in English reflects the language's rich history and diverse influences.
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Comparison Chart
Function
Often changes word class
Modifies meaning without changing word class
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Impact on Meaning
Can create a new word
Usually modifies or negates the original word
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Etymological Origin
Often from Latin or Greek
Frequently from Latin or Greek
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Suffix and Prefix Definitions
Suffix
Alters or enhances the meaning of the word.
Quickly (adding -ly to quick).
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Prefix
Reflects the word's etymological background.
Submarine (adding sub- to marine).
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Suffix
Used to form new words in English.
Friendship (adding -ship to friend).
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Prefix
An affix attached to the beginning of a word.
Undo (adding un- to do).
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Suffix
Reflects the linguistic origin or history of a word.
Actress (adding -ess to actor).
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Prefix
Modifies or changes the meaning of the word.
Replay (adding re- to play).
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Suffix
An affix added to the end of a word.
Kindness (adding -ness to kind).
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Suffix
An affix added to the end of a word or stem, serving to form a new word or functioning as an inflectional ending, such as -ness in gentleness, -ing in walking, or -s in sits.
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Suffix
A morpheme added at the end of a word to modify the word's meaning.
The suffix "-able" changes "sing" into "singable".
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Prefix
(Grammar) An affix, such as dis- in disbelieve, attached to the front of a word to produce a derivative word or an inflected form.
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Suffix
(computing) A final segment of a string of characters.
The string "abra" is both a prefix and a suffix of the string "abracadabra".
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Prefix
A letter, word, abbreviation, or number placed before a name, address, or other identifying label to indicate class or category
You have to indicate on the form whether you prefer the prefix Mr., Ms., or Dr.
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Suffix
A letter, letters, syllable, or syllables added or appended to the end of a word or a root to modify the meaning; a postfix.
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Prefix
A morpheme added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning, for example as, pre- in prefix, con- in conjure, re- in reheat, etc.
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Suffix
To add or annex to the end, as a letter or syllable to a word; to append.
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Prefix
(telecommunications) A set of digits placed before a telephone number, to indicate where the number is based, what type of phone number it is (landline, mobile, toll-free, premium rate etc.)
In the UK, a number with an 0800 prefix is a toll-free number.
Add the prefix +34 to dial a Spanish number from abroad
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Prefix
(computing) An initial segment of a string of characters.
The string "abra" is both a prefix and a suffix of the string "abracadabra".
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Suffix
Can change the grammatical category of a word.
Runner (adding -er to run).
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Prefix
(transitive) To put or fix before, or at the beginning of something; to place at the start.
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Prefix
To put or fix before, or at the beginning of, another thing; as, to prefix a syllable to a word, or a condition to an agreement.
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Prefix
To set or appoint beforehand; to settle or establish antecedently.
And now he hath to her prefixt a day.
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Prefix
That which is prefixed; esp., one or more letters or syllables combined or united with the beginning of a word to modify its signification; as, pre- in prefix, con- in conjure.
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Prefix
Often used to negate or reverse a word's meaning.
Invisible (adding in- to visible).
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Prefix
Can indicate repetition, negation, or opposition.
Disagree (adding dis- to agree).
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do prefixes change the word class?
Usually, they don't change the word class.
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Are suffixes important in English grammar?
Yes, they play a crucial role in word formation.
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Are prefixes derived from Latin or Greek?
Many English prefixes have Latin or Greek origins.
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What does a prefix typically do?
It modifies or changes the word's meaning.
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Can a prefix be removed without altering meaning?
Removing a prefix usually changes the word's meaning.
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Are prefixes used in all languages?
Many languages use prefixes, but not all.
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Are there rules for adding suffixes to words?
Yes, there are specific linguistic rules.
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Can prefixes and suffixes coexist in a word?
Yes, a word can have both a prefix and a suffix.
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How do prefixes affect word pronunciation?
They can change stress and sound of the word.
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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