In English, prefixes like dis-, mis-, un-, and re- help us create new words by changing the meaning of root words. Each prefix adds its own meaning, allowing us to build words that express the opposite, repeat actions, or describe something unusual or incorrect.
The prefix dis- often means “not” or “opposite of.” For example, “disapprove” means “not approve,” and “disconnect” means “to break a connection.” Similarly, mis- indicates “wrong” or “incorrect,” so “misplace” means “to place wrongly,” and “misunderstand” means “to understand incorrectly.”
The prefix un- usually means “not” or “the opposite of,” as in “unhappy” (not happy) or “unable” (not able). It reverses or negates the meaning of the word it’s attached to, often indicating a lack of something. Lastly, re- suggests “again” or “back,” which can be seen in words like “redo” (do again) or “rebuild” (build again).
Learning these prefixes helps us understand the meanings of complex words and recognize patterns that make spelling and comprehension easier.
See how many prefix words you can spot in the short story below!
Emma loved puzzles and spent hours each weekend working on them, but today was particularly unlucky. She had bought a new puzzle that looked unusual, with pieces shaped like animals. She eagerly started working on it but soon felt uncomfortable. Something didn’t seem right. “This puzzle must be misleading!” she muttered, noticing that some pieces didn’t match the picture on the box.
As she continued, she accidentally misplaced a few pieces and even began to misinterpret some of the shapes, mistaking a lion’s paw for a piece of the tiger. Feeling a bit discouraged, she decided to take a break, hoping it would help refresh her mind.
Just as she returned to the puzzle, her little brother walked in. He tried to help but only managed to disconnect a carefully assembled corner. “Hey! Don’t disrespect my work!” Emma said, trying not to sound unkind. Her brother’s face fell, and she felt a pang of guilt. She realized she’d been a bit harsh and was uncertain if she’d disapproved of his help too quickly.
She apologized and let him help, deciding they could rebuild the puzzle together. Her brother was excited and tried to replace the pieces he’d knocked out of place, while Emma double-checked for any other mistakes they might have made.
Piece by piece, they worked together. Her brother even helped redo the parts they’d had trouble with before. Finally, as they finished, Emma felt a wave of relief and pride. “I guess I didn’t need to be so uncertain. We did it together!” she said with a smile. Her brother grinned, and they admired their finished work, both feeling proud of their unusual teamwork.
Now that you are more familiar with words that have the prefixes dis-, mis-, un-, and re-, it’s time to have a go at spelling them from memory.
