An affix is a bound morpheme that attaches to the stem of a word to form either a new word or a new form of the same word.
The two types of affixes in English are prefixes and suffixes.
Affixes may be derivational or inflectional. Derivational affixes create new words. Inflectional affixes create new forms of the same word.
Derivational
Derivational is an adjective that refers to the formation of a new word from another word through derivational affixes.
In English, both prefixes and suffixes are derivational.
Inflectional
Inflectional is an adjective that refers to the formation of a new form of the same word through inflectional affixes.
In English, only suffixes are inflectional.
Prefixes
A prefix is a bound morpheme that attaches to the beginning of the stem of a word to form either a new word or a new form of the same word.
Prefixes are types of affixes.
All prefixes in English are derivational, meaning the affixes create new words.
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
| a- | predicative adjective with progressive aspect | awake, afloat, atremble |
| a-/an- | not, without | acyclic, asexual, atonal, atheist, anemic |
| Afro- | relating to Africa | Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean |
| after- | following after, behind | afterglow, afterlife, aftermath |
| ambi- | both | ambidextrous, ambitendency |
| amphi- | around, two, both, on both sides | amphiaster, amphitheatre, amphibian |
| an-/ana- | up, against | anacardiaceous, anode, analog |
| Anglo- | relating to England | Anglo-Norman, Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-American |
| ante- | before | antenatal, antechamber, antedate |
| anti- | against, opposite | anticlimax, anti-freeze, antiviral, antagonist, antivenom |
| ap-/apo- | away from, detached | aphelion, apogee, apomorphine |
| arch- | ruling, dominating, most extreme | archangel, archaen, archconservative |
| astro- | star | astrobiology, astrology, astronomy |
| auto- | self | autobiography, automatic, autonomy |
| back- | behind | backporch, backhoe, backfire |
| be- | equipped with, covered with, beset with | bedeviled, becalm, bedazzle, bewitch |
| bi- | two | bicycle, biped |
| bio- | life, biological | biology, biotic |
| by- | near to, next to | byway, bypass, byproduct |
| circum- | around, surrounding | circumlocution, circumnavigate |
| cis- | on this side of | cislunar, cisgender |
| co-, col-, com-, con-, cor- | together, with, joint | co-worker, coordinator, cooperation, cohabit, colleague, commingle, confederation, correlation |
| contra/o- | opposite | contradict, contraindication |
| counter- | against, in opposition to | counteract, counterpart |
| cryo- | ice | cryogenics |
| crypto- | hidden, secret | cryptocurrency, cryptography |
| de- | reverse action, get rid of | debug, de-emphasize |
| de- | down | depress, descend |
| demi- | half | demigod |
| demo- | people | democracy, demography |
| deuter- | second | deuteragonist, deuterogamy |
| di- | two | dicotyledon, digamy, dioxide |
| dia- | through | dialysis, diameter |
| di-/dif-/dis- | apart | differ, dissect, divide |
| dis- | not, opposite of, reverse action | disagree, disloyal, disconnect, disinformation |
| down- | from higher/greater to lower/lesser | download, downright, downbeat |
| du-/duo- | two | dual, duet |
| eco- | ecological | ecosystem |
| electro- | electric, electricity | electro-analysis, electromagnetic |
| el-/em-/en- | in | ellipsis, emphasis, energetic |
| em-/en- | to make into, to put into, to get into | empower, enmesh |
| ep-/epi- | upon, at, close upon, in addition | ephemeron, epicentre, epidermis |
| Euro- | European | Eurocentric |
| ex- | former | ex-wife, ex-husband, ex-boss, ex-colleague, ex-friend |
| ex- | out of | exit, expel, explode, exploit, explore, export |
| extra- | outside | extracurricular |
| fore- | before, in front | forearm, forerunner, forebode |
| Franco- | French, France | Francophile, Franco-British, Franco-German |
| geo- | relating to the earth or its surface | geography, geology, geometry |
| gyro- | spinning on an axis | gyrocopter, gyroscope, gyrosphere |
| hetero- | different | heterosexual |
| hemi- | half | hemimorphic, hemisphere |
| hind- | after | hindsight, hindquarters |
| homo- | same | homogenous, homologous |
| hydro- | relating to water, or using water | hydroelectricity, hydrant |
| hyper- | excess, above, over | hyperthermia |
| hypo- | deficient, under or below something, low | hypothermia, hypotonia, hyponatremia, hypothermia |
| ideo- | image, idea | ideograph, ideology |
| idio- | individual, personal, unique | idiolect, idiopathic |
| il-/im-/in-/ir- | not, opposite of | illicit, impossible, inexact, irregular |
| in- | in, into | insert, include |
| Indo- | relating to the Indian subcontinent | Indo-European |
| infra- | below, beneath | infrared |
| inter- | among, between | internet, intercede, international |
| intra- | inside, within | intravenous |
| iso- | equal | isochromatic, isotherm |
| macr- | long | macrobiotic |
| mal- | badly | malnourish, maladjusted |
| maxi- | very long, very large | maxi-skirt |
| mega-/megalo- | great, large | megastar, megalopolis |
| meta- | after, along with, beyond, among, behind | metabolism, metaphysics |
| micro- | small | microbacillus, microcephalus |
| mid- | middle | midstream, midlife |
| mini- | small | minimarket, mini-room, minivan |
| midi- | medium-sized | midi-length, Midibus |
| mis- | wrong, astray | misinformation, misguide, misfortune |
| mono-, mon- | sole, only | monogamy, monotone, monosyllabic |
| multi-, mult- | many | multicultural, multi-storey, multitude |
| neo- | new | neolithic, neoether |
| non- | not | nonexistent, noncompete |
| off- | non-standard, away | off-color, offish, offset |
| omni- | all | omnipotent, omnipresent, omnivore |
| on- | immediate proximity, locative | onset, onlook, ongoing, oncoming |
| ortho- | correcting or straightening | orthodontics, orthotropic |
| out- | better, faster, longer, farther | outreach, outcome, outlier |
| over- | excessive, above | overreact, overact, overbearing |
| paleo- | old | paleolithic |
| pan- | all, worldwide | pan-African, pandemic, panorama |
| para- | beside, beyond | parallel, paraplegic, parasail |
| ped- | foot | pedal, pedestrian |
| per- | through, completely, wrongly, exceedingly | permeate, permute |
| peri- | around, near or adjacent | perihelion, periphrase |
| photo- | light | photoelectric, photography |
| pleo- | more | pleonasm, pleroma |
| pod- | foot | podiatrist |
| poly- | many | polygon, polyhedron |
| post- | after, behind | postposition, post-election, post-graduation, post-war, postfix, postpone, postscript |
| pre- | before | preposition, prevent, previous, pre-election, pre-enter, pre-select, predict, prepare, preview |
| preter- | beyond, past, more than | preternatural |
| pro- | for, forward, in favor of | propulsion, propound, proponent |
| pro- | for, substitute, deputy | proconsul, pronoun |
| pro- | before | procambium |
| pros- | toward | prosthesis, prostrate, prose |
| proto- | first, original | protoplasm, prototype |
| pseudo- | false, imitation | pseudonym |
| pyro- | fire | pyrokinetic, pyrotechnic |
| quasi- | partly, almost, appearing to be but not really | quasi-religious |
| re- | again, back | redo, revisit, rerun, reorganize |
| retro- | backwards | retrograde |
| self- | self | self-explanatory, self-sufficient |
| semi- | half | semicircle |
| socio- | relating to society | sociopath, social, sociological |
| step- | family relation by remarriage | stepbrother, stepfather, stepmother, stepsister |
| sub-/sup- | below, under | submarine, subterranean, suburban, support |
| super- | above, over | supervisor, superintendent |
| supra- | above, over | suprarenal |
| sur- | above, over | surreal, surrender, surplus |
| sy-/syl-/sym-/syn- | together, with | syllable, symbol, synthesis, system |
| tele- | at a distance | telegraph, telephone, telescope, television |
| trans- | across, over | transatlantic, transverse, transform |
| tri- | three | tricycle, tripartite |
| twi- | two | twibill, twilight |
| uber- | a lot, great | uberchic, ubergeek, ubersexual, uberwealthy |
| ultra- | beyond | ultramagnetic, ultrasonic, ultraviolet |
| un- | not, against, opposite of, reverse action, deprive of, release from | undesirable, undo, unequal, unexpected, unhappy, unlock, unnecessary, untie |
| under- | below, beneath, lower in grade or dignity, lesser, insufficient | underachieve, underpass, understand, undergo |
| uni- | one, consisting of only one | unicycle, universal |
| up- | greater, higher, better | upgrade, uplift, upright |
| vice- | deputy | vice-president, vice-principal, vice-admiral |
| with- | against, back, away from | withstand, withhold |
Suffixes
A suffix is a bound morpheme that attaches to the end of the stem of a word to form either a new word or a new form of the same word.
Suffixes are types of affixes.
Suffixes in English may be derivational, meaning the suffixes create new words, or inflectional, meaning the suffixes create new forms of the same word.
| Inflectional Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| -s/-es | third person singular present | eats, washes |
| -ed | simple past, regular past participle | called, smiled |
| -en | irregular past participle | eaten, written |
| -ing | present participle | marking, arguing, writing |
| -s/-es | plural | cats, dogs, watches, axes |
| -‘s/-s’ | possessive | Heather’s, daughters’ |
| -er | comparative | faster, prettier |
| -est | superlative | fastest, prettiest |
| Derivational Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| -able | able to be | excitable, portable, preventable |
| -ac | pertaining to | cardiac, hemophiliac, maniac |
| -acity/-ocity | quality of | perspicacity, sagacity, velocity |
| -ade | act, action or process, product | blockade, cavalcade, promenade |
| -age | action or process | passage, pilgrimage, voyage |
| -aholic/-oholic | one with an obsession for | workaholic, shopaholic, alcoholic |
| -al | relating to | bacterial, theatrical, natural |
| -algia | pain | neuralgia, nostalgia |
| -an/-ian | relating to, belonging to | Italian, urban, African |
| -ance | state or quality of | brilliance, defiance, annoyance |
| -ant | a person who | applicant, immigrant, servant |
| -ant | inclined to, tending to | brilliant, defiant, vigilant |
| -ar | of or relating to, being | lunar, molecular, solar |
| -ar | a person who | beggar, burglar, liar |
| -ard | a person who does an action | coward, sluggard, wizard |
| -arian | a person who | disciplinarian, vegetarian, librarian |
| -arium/orium | a place for | terrarium, aquarium, solarium |
| -ary | of or relating to | literary, military, budgetary |
| -ate | state or quality of | affectionate, desolate, obstinate |
| -ate | makes the word a verb | activate, evaporate, medicate |
| -ation | action or process | creation, narration, emancipation |
| -ative | tending to | creative, preservative, talkative |
| -cide | act of killing | homicide, suicide, genocide |
| -cracy | rule, government, power | bureaucracy, aristocracy, theocracy |
| -crat | someone who has power | aristocrat, bureaucrat, technocrat |
| -cule | diminutive, making something small | molecule, ridicule |
| -cy | state, condition or quality | efficiency, privacy, belligerency |
| -cycle | circle, wheel | bicycle, recycle, tricycle |
| -dom | condition of, state, realm | boredom, freedom, wisdom |
| -dox | belief, praise | orthodox, paradox |
| -ectomy | surgical removal of | appendectomy, hysterectomy |
| -ee | receiver, performer | nominee, employee, devotee |
| -eer | associated with/engaged in | engineer, volunteer |
| -emia | blood condition | anemia, hypoglycemia, leukemia |
| -ence | state or condition, action | absence, dependence, negligence |
| -ency | condition or quality | clemency, dependency, efficiency |
| -ent | inclined to performing/causing, or one who performs/causes | competent, correspondent, absorbent |
| -er | action or process | flutter, ponder, stutter |
| -er | a person who does an action | announcer, barber, teacher |
| -ern | state or quality of | eastern, northern, western |
| -escence | state or process | adolescence, convalescence |
| -ese | relating to a place | Chinese, Congolese, Vietnamese |
| -esque | in the style of | Kafkaesque, grotesque, burlesque |
| -ess | female | actress, heiress, lioness |
| -etic | relating to | athletic, energetic, poetic |
| -ette | diminutive, make something smaller | cigarette, diskette, kitchenette |
| -ful | full of | helpful, thankful, cheerful |
| -fy | make, cause makes the word a verb | amplify, falsify, terrify |
| -gam/gamy | marriage, union | monogam, polygamy |
| -gon/gonic | angle | hexagon, polygonic, pentagon |
| -hood | state, condition, or quality | childhood, neighborhood, motherhood |
| -ial | relating to | celestial, editorial, martial |
| -ian | relating to | Martian, utopian, pediatrician |
| -iasis | diseased condition | elephantiasis, psoriasis |
| -iatric | healing practice | pediatric, psychiatric |
| -ible | able to be | audible, plausible, legible |
| -ic/ical | relating to, characterized by | analytic/al, comic/al, organic |
| -ile | relating to, capable of | agile, docile, volatile |
| -ily | in what manner | sloppily, steadily, zanily |
| -ine | relating to | canine, feminine, masculine |
| -ing | materials | bedding, frosting, roofing |
| -ion | action or process | celebration, completion, navigation |
| -(s/t)ion | state or quality | attention, caution, confusion, fascination |
| -ious | having the qualities of, full of | ambitious, cautious, gracious |
| -ish | relating to, characteristic | apish, brutish, childish |
| -ism | state or quality | altruism, despotism, heroism |
| -ist | a person, one who does an action | artist, linguist, pianist |
| -ite | resident of, follower, product of | suburbanite, luddite, dynamite |
| -itis | inflammation | appendicitis, tonsillitis |
| -ity | state, condition, or quality | abnormality, civility, necessity |
| -ive | inclined to, quality of, that which | attractive, expensive, repulsive |
| -ization | act or process of making | colonization, fertilization, modernization |
| -ize | cause, treat, become | antagonize, authorize, popularize |
| -less | without | fearless, helpless, homeless |
| -let | version of | booklet, droplet, inlet |
| -like | resembling, characteristic | childlike, homelike, lifelike |
| -ling | younger or inferior | duckling, underling |
| -loger/logist | one who does | astrologer, cardiologist, chronologer |
| -log | speech | dialog, monolog |
| -ly | in what manner | badly, courageously, happily |
| -ment | action, result | movement, placement, shipment |
| -ness | state or quality | kindness, shyness, weakness |
| -oid | resembling | humanoid, tabloid, hemorrhoid |
| -ology | study of, science of | anthropology, archaeology, biology |
| -oma | tumor, swelling | carcinoma, osteoma, hematoma |
| -onym | name, word | synonym, antonym, homonym, heteronym, oronym |
| -opia | eye defect | myopia, nyctalopia, hyperopia |
| -opsy | examination | biopsy, autopsy, necropsy |
| -or | a person who | inventor, legislator, translator |
| -ory | relating to | armory, dormitory, laboratory |
| -osis | process, diseased condition | diagnosis, prognosis, neurosis, psychosis |
| -ostomy/otomy | surgical | colostomy, lobotomy, craniotomy |
| -ous | full of | hazardous, humorous, wondrous |
| -path | one who engages in | homeopath, naturopath, psychopath |
| -pathy | feeling, diseased | sympathy, apathy, neuropathy |
| -phile | one who loves | bibliophile, audiophile, pyrophile |
| -phobia | abnormal fear of | acrophobia, claustrophobia, xenophobia |
| -phone | sound | homophone, telephone, microphone |
| -phyte | plant, to grow | zoophyte, cryptophyte, epiphyte |
| -plegia | paralysis | paraplegia, quadriplegia, hemiplegia |
| -plegic | one who is paralyzed | paraplegic, technoplegic, quadriplegic |
| -pnea | air, spirit | apnea, hyperpnea, orthopnea |
| -scopy/scope | visual exam | arthroscopy, gastroscopy, microscope |
| -scribe/script | to write | transcript, describe, manuscript |
| -sect | to cut | dissect, insect, bisect |
| -ship | state or condition of, skill of | authorship, citizenship, friendship |
| -some | characterized by, group of | cumbersome, quarrelsome, foursome |
| -sophy/sophic | wisdom, knowledge | philosophy, theosophy, anthroposophic |
| -th | state or quality | depth, length, strength |
| -tome/tomy | to cut | hysterectomy, epitome, tonsillotome |
| -trophy | nourishment, growth | atrophy, hypertrophy, dystrophy |
| -tude | state, condition or quality | fortitude, gratitude, magnitude |
| -ty | state, condition or quality | ability, honesty, loyalty |
| -ular | relating to or resembling | cellular, circular, muscular |
| -uous | state or quality of | arduous, tumultuous, virtuous |
| -ure | action, condition | closure, erasure, failure |
| -ward | specifies direction | backward, eastward, homeward |
| -ware | things of the same type or material | hardware, software, kitchenware |
| -wise | in what manner or direction | clockwise, lengthwise, otherwise |
| -y | made up of, characterized | brainy, fruity, gooey |
Affixes are bound morphemes that attach to the stem of a word to form either a new word or a new form of the same word. Prefixes and suffixes are the two types of affixes in the English language.
References
Brinton, Laurel J. & Donna M. Brinton. 2010. The linguistic structure of Modern English, 2nd edn. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Hopper, Paul J. 1999. A short course in grammar. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
Huddleston, Rodney. 1984. Introduction to the grammar of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
