Dictionary of Prefixes and Suffixes ― Useful English Affixes

Affixes, Prefixes and SuffixesAFFIXA letter or group of letters added to the beginning or end of a word to get a new word with a changed meaning.Examples –im- in impossible; inter- in international-able in agreeable; -er in learnerEnglish Affixes could be divided into two groups:Prefixes and SuffixesPREFIXA letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to get a new word with a changed meaning.Examples –im- in impossible; inter- in international; un- in unaffectedSUFFIXA letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to get a new word with a changed meaning.Examples –-able in agreeable; -er in learner; -ness in quicknessSample This:ENGLISH PREFIXES – Aa-Used to form: adjectives, adverbs and nounsGeneral meaning: not, withoutExamples:acellular / amoral / apolitical / atheism / atheist / atypical******anti-Used to form: adjectives and nounsGeneral meaning: against; the opposite of; preventingExamples:anti-aircraft / anti-bacterial / antibiotic / antibody / anti-choice / anticlerical / anticlimax / anticlockwise / anticoagulant / anti-competitive / anti-corruption / anticyclone / antidepressant / anti-encroachment / antifreeze / anti-globalization / anti-graft / antigravity / anti-hate / anti-hero / anti-inflammatory / anti-liquor / anti-lock / anti-national / antioxidant / antiparticle / anti-people / anti-personnel / antiperspirant / anti-poaching / antipyretic / antiretroviral / anti-rowdy / anti-sabotage / antiseptic / antisocial / anti-stalking / antitank / anti-terror / antitrust / antiviral / antivirus******ENGLISH SUFFIXES – A-ableUsed to form: adjectives, adverbs and nounsGeneral meaning: that can, should or must be done; having the characteristic ofExamples:agreeable / approachable / avertable / avoidable / believable / breakable / calculable / changeable / comfortable / computable / controllable / curable / desirable / enjoyable / escapable / excitable / exploitable / fashionable / imaginable / manageable / moveable / noticeable / observable / payable / preventable / quantifiable / ratable / readable / recognizable / reputable / respectable / serviceable / stoppable / taxable / transferable / transportable / understandable / usable / washable / wearable / workable******-abilityUsed to form: nounsGeneral meaning: a level of skill, intelligence, etc.Example:capability / curability / excitability / playability / preventability / serviceability / usability / workability******-anceUsed to form: nounsGeneral meaning: the action or state ofExamples:appearance / assistance / attendance / clearance / extravagance / resistance******-antUsed to form: adjectives and nounsGeneral meaning: that is or does something; having an effectExamples:contestant / dormant / important / inhabitant / lubricant / pleasant / reliant / servant / significant******-ateUsed to form: adjectives, nouns and verbsGeneral meaning: having the characteristic, function or status ofExamples:activate / ameliorate / amputate / consulate / doctorate / elaborate / electorate / hyphenate / intricate / Italianate / motivate / passionate / separate / stimulate / violate******-ationUsed to form: nounsGeneral meaning: the action or state ofExamples:allegation / allocation / alteration / amplification / association / calculation / celebration / circulation / commemoration / communication / connotation / contamination / creation / declaration / denunciation / deterioration / devastation / disputation / elimination / eradication / exaggeration / fascination / fortification / implication / indication / innovation / insinuation / intensification / intimation / magnification / manifestation / migration / obliteration / ornamentation / refutation / rejuvenation / revelation / rotation / termination / transformation / vacation / vaccination******