What are Affixes: Definition and Examples

by | Jun 14, 2025 | English Grammar | 0 comments

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.

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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

Prefix
Meaning
Example Word
Meaning of Word
un-
not
unhappy
not happy
re-
again
rewrite
write again
pre-
before
preview
view before
dis-
opposite/not
disagree
not agree
mis-
wrong
misunderstand
undstand wrongly

Common Suffixes

Suffix
Use
Example Word
Meaning of Word
-er
person who does
teacher
one who teaches
-ful
full of
helpful
full of help
-less
without
hopeless
without hope
-ness
state of being
kindness
the quality of being kind
-ing
action in progress
runnin
the act of running

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