Prefix Meanings and Usage

The prefix meanings and words containing said prefixes listed below are from words beginning with the letters E thru O.

Use the menu bar at the left, or the link at the bottom of this page to get to those pages containing words beginning with letters A thru G, or letters P thru Z.

As stated on the previous page, learning prefix meanings will go a long way to helping you impprove your overall vocabulary.

What's more, knowing the meaning of prefixes will help you when you come across unkown words. Many times we can take a good guess at the meaning of the word just by knowing the prefix meanings.

For example, you may know the word 'sympathy' means to feel compassion for, or sharing compassion.

But what about the word antipathy? You can figure it out if you know that the prefix meanings 'anti' mean against or opposite, while the prefix 'sym' means 'together, or in unison.'

So, literally, sympathy is 'to like' and antipathy is to 'dislike.'

Prefix Meanings and Usage for Letters E thru O

ex, e	out	exit = exodus, emit = give off something
extra, extro	beyond, outside	extracurricular = outside the curriculum, extraterrestrial = beyond the earth, extrovert = outgoing person
hyper	above, excessively	hyperbole = exaggeration, hyperventilate = breath at an excessive rate
hypo	beneath, lower	hypoglycemia = low blood sugar hypodermic = below the skin
in, il, im, ir	not	inefficient = not efficient, inarticulate = not clear or distinct, illegible = not readable, impeccable = not capable of sinning, perfect irrevocable = not able to be called back
in, il, im, ir	in, on, upon	invite = call in illustration = something that makes clear impression = effect upon mind or feelings irradiate = shine upon
inter	between, among	intervene = come between international = between nations interjection = a thrown in statement
intra, intro	within	intramural = within a school introvert = person turned into self
macro	large, long	macrobiotic = tending to prolong life macrocosm = the great world
mega	great, million	megalomania = delusions of grandeur megaton = million tons of TNT
meta	involving change	metamorphosis = change of form
micro	small	microcosm = miniature universe microscopic = extremely small
mis	bad, improper	misdemeanor = minor crime mischance = unfortunate accident
mis	hatred	misanthrope = He who hates mankind misogynist = woman-hater
mono	one	monarchy = government of one ruler monotheism = belief in one god
multi	many	multifarious = having many parts multitudinous = numerous
neo	new	neologism = newly coined word neophyte = beginner
non	not	noncommittal = undecided
ob oc of op	against	obstruct = block occlude = close, block out offend = insult opponent = someone who struggles against
olig	few	oligarchy = government by a few

Go to the prefix meanings page of letters P thru Z by clicking on the previous link.

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