Pronunciation: /ˈpriˌfɪks/

Definitions of prefix

noun a word, letter, or number placed before another

Example Sentences

A1 I learned about prefixes in my English class.

A2 Adding a prefix can change the meaning of a word.

B1 It is important to understand the meaning of different prefixes.

B2 Knowing common prefixes can help you understand unfamiliar words.

C1 The prefix 'un-' is used to indicate the opposite or absence of something.

C2 Understanding the etymology of a word can help you recognize its prefix.

verb to add a prefix to a word or number

Example Sentences

A1 I prefix my name with 'Dr.' when I sign official documents.

A2 She prefixes her phone number with the country code when dialing internationally.

B1 Students are encouraged to prefix their essays with a cover page that includes their name and the title of the assignment.

B2 The company policy requires employees to prefix their email subject lines with specific keywords for easy categorization.

C1 In academic writing, it is important to prefix technical terms with their definitions for clarity.

C2 The software developer had to prefix each function with a unique identifier to avoid naming conflicts in the codebase.

Examples of prefix in a Sentence

formal In linguistics, a prefix is an affix which is placed before the stem of a word.

informal Make sure to include the correct prefix before the word to form the right meaning.

slang I always forget to add the prefix when texting, it's so annoying!

figurative Adding a positive prefix to your mindset can lead to a more optimistic outlook on life.

Grammatical Forms of prefix

past tense

prefixed

plural

prefixes

comparative

more prefixed

superlative

most prefixed

present tense

prefix

future tense

will prefix

perfect tense

have prefixed

continuous tense

am prefixing

singular

prefix

positive degree

prefix

infinitive

to prefix

gerund

prefixing

participle

prefixed

Origin and Evolution of prefix

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'prefix' originated from the Latin word 'praefixus' which means 'fixed in front'.
Evolution of the word: The term 'prefix' has retained its original meaning of a linguistic element added at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. Over time, it has become a common term in grammar and language studies.