What are Affixes: Definition and Examples

by | Jun 14, 2025 | English Grammar

Learning English vocabulary becomes easier when you understand how words are formed in the English language. One of the key building blocks of word formation is something called an affix. However, learning what affixes are and why they are important is crucial for English learners to improve their language skills.

Table of Contents

What are Affixes?

Affixes are small word parts that are added before or after a word to change its meaning. The important thing to remember with respect to affixes is that they don’t stand alone. However, affixes attach to base words or root words to make new words in English.

Types of Affixes

There are two main types of affixes in the English language:

1. Prefix

A prefix comes before the root word. 

2. Suffix

A suffix is a word part that comes after the root word. 

Examples:

Prefixes:

  • rewrite
  • preview
  • disagree

Suffixes:

  • teacher 
  • kindness
  • playing

Common Prefixes

[dvmd_table_maker tbl_row_header_count=”0″ tbl_responsive_mode=”off” tbl_tcell_cell_align_horz=”center” tbl_tcell_cell_align_vert=”center” tbl_chead_cell_color=”#E09900″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=”Prefix
un-
re-
pre-
dis-
mis-” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=”Meaning
not
again
before
opposite/not
wrong” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=”Example Word
unhappy
rewrite
preview
disagree
misunderstand” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=”Meaning of Word
not happy
write again
view before
not agree
undstand wrongly” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][/dvmd_table_maker]

Common Suffixes

[dvmd_table_maker tbl_row_header_count=”0″ tbl_responsive_mode=”off” tbl_tcell_cell_align_horz=”center” tbl_tcell_cell_align_vert=”center” tbl_chead_cell_color=”#E09900″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=”Suffix
-er
-ful
-less
-ness
-ing” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=”Use
person who does
full of
without
state of being
action in progress” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=”Example Word
teacher
helpful
hopeless
kindness
runnin” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=”Meaning of Word
one who teaches
full of help
without hope
the quality of being kind
the act of running ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][/dvmd_table_maker]

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