Year 4 · English · Literacy
Prefixes and word meaning
Using common prefixes such as un-, re-, dis-, pre- and mis- to build words and work out their meanings.
Awaiting educator review. This material was drafted by our content team with AI assistance and is waiting for review by a qualified educator. Please check it suits your child before using it. Created 10 October 2026.
Learning goals
Learners will
- Know the meanings of the prefixes un-, re-, dis-, pre- and mis-.
- Use prefixes to work out the meaning of unfamiliar words.
- Spell words with prefixes correctly, keeping the base word unchanged.
Success looks like
- I can say what un-, re-, dis-, pre- and mis- mean.
- I can split a word into its prefix and base word.
- I can spell words like 'misspell' and 'unnecessary' correctly.
The big idea
A prefix is added to the front of a base word to change its meaning. Learning a handful of common prefixes unlocks hundreds of words.
- un- means 'not' or 'the opposite of': unhappy, unlock, unfair
- re- means 'again' or 'back': rewrite, replay, return
- dis- means 'not' or 'the opposite of': disagree, disappear, dishonest
- pre- means 'before': preview, preheat, prepay
- mis- means 'wrongly' or 'badly': misspell, misplace, misunderstand
Adding a prefix does not change the spelling of the base word. That is why 'misspell' has two s's (mis + spell) and 'unnecessary' has two n's (un + necessary).
To work out an unfamiliar word, cover the prefix, read the base word, then add the prefix's meaning. 'Preheat' = before + heat = to heat something before using it.
Worked examples
Working out meaning
What does 'reheat' mean?
- Split the word: re + heat.
- 'Re-' means again.
- Combine: heat again.
Answer: 'Reheat' means to heat something again.
Making an antonym
Make the opposite of 'obey' using a prefix.
- Think of prefixes that mean 'not' or 'the opposite of': un- and dis-.
- Try each: 'unobey' is not a word; 'disobey' is.
- Check in a dictionary if unsure.
Answer: disobey
Spelling with a prefix
Add 'mis-' to 'spell'.
- Write the prefix: mis.
- Write the whole base word without changing it: spell.
- Join them: misspell (the double s is correct).
Answer: misspell
Practice check
Have a go, then check your answers. Each answer comes with an explanation.
Answer guide for parents
What does the prefix 're-' mean in 'rebuild'?
again — 'Rebuild' means to build again.
Which word means 'not kind'?
unkind — 'Un-' means not, so 'unkind' means not kind.
What does 'misbehave' mean?
behave badly — 'Mis-' means wrongly or badly.
Which is spelled correctly?
misspell — mis + spell = misspell. The base word does not change.
Which prefix means 'before'?
pre- — 'Pre-' means before, as in 'preview'.
Add a prefix to 'appear' to make a word meaning 'go out of sight'. Type the word.
disappear — dis + appear = disappear.
Type the base word in 'unlucky'.
lucky — un + lucky. The base word is 'lucky'.
Type the prefix in 'return' (without the hyphen).
re — 'Re-' means back: return means to come back.
Watch out for
- Thinking any word that starts with 're' or 'un' has a prefix. In 'read' or 'uncle', the letters are part of the base word. Check: is there a real base word left?
- Dropping a letter when the prefix ends with the same letter the base word starts with ('mispell'). Keep both letters.
- Assuming un- and dis- are interchangeable. Each word uses a particular prefix (unhappy, not dishappy), so check in a dictionary.
Tips for parents
- When your child meets a long word, ask 'Can you see a prefix?' before they sound it out.
- Make a prefix wall: one column per prefix, adding words as you find them.
- Use two colours when writing words so the prefix stands out from the base word.
Go further
- Play prefix dominoes: match prefix cards to base word cards to build real words.
- Invent a new word with a prefix (such as 'unbedtime') and write a definition for it.
- Find five words with prefixes in a newspaper or recipe and explain each meaning.