Prefixes (re- & un-)

Prefixes

("re" & "un")

Defining an Unknown Word

When you don't know what a word means, one strategy is to break the word into parts and think about the meaning of each part.

Many words in the English language are made up of word parts called prefixes, roots, and suffixes.

These word parts have specific meanings that, when added together, can help you determine the meaning of the word as a whole.

A group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change the meaning is a prefix.

A group of letters added to the end of a word to change the meaning is a suffix.

Roots are words or word parts that come from languages other than English. You can add prefixes and suffixes to roots.

The Prefix "re-"

• When you see "re" at the beginning of a word, it can mean "again"

• Example: re + view = review

• Meaning: again + view = view again

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of reappear?

• to appear again

• to appear

• to disappear

Multiple Choice

Which word means to read again?

• reading

• reread

• reader

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of refill?

• to fill once

• to not fill

• to fill again

Multiple Select

Choose all the words that use the prefix "re-".

• review

• rewrite

• reread

• admire

Multiple Choice

The prefix "re" means _____.

• again

• not

• the opposite of

Open Ended

Write a word with the prefix "re-".

The Prefix "un-"

• When you see "un" at the beginning of a word, it can mean "not" or "the opposite of"

• Example: un + friendly = unfriendly

• Meaning: not + friendly = not friendly

• Meaning: the opposite of + friendly = the opposite of friendly

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of unable?

• not able

• able to

• not clear

Multiple Choice

Which word means not finished?

• unfinished

• refinished

• finishing

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of untrue?

• very true

• true

• not true

Multiple Select

Choose all the words that use the prefix "un-".

• unclean

• unlucky

• unknown

• umbrella

Multiple Select

Choose all the meanings for the prefix "un-".

• the opposite of

• not

• again

Multiple Choice

What is a prefix?

• A group of letters added to the end of a word that changes the meaning.

• A word or word part that comes from a language that's not English

• A group of letters added to the beginning of a word that changes the meaning.

Open Ended

Write a sentence that includes a word with the prefixes "un-" or "re-".

Sources

• Reading Center: Monterey Peninsula College, "Word Parts: Prefixes, Roots, & Suffixes"