Here is a list of some of the more widely used prefixes in the IELTS reading test. Make a note of any that you do not know.
Once you have studied the prefix list, move on to the next part of the lesson.
| AFTER | Following behind | Afternoon, afterthought |
| ANTE (SEE ALSO PRE) | Before | Antecedent, antenatal |
| ANTI | Against | Anticrime, antipollution, antivirus |
| AUTO | Self, same | Autobiography, automatic, autopilot |
| BENE | Good, well | Benefactor, beneficial |
| BI | Two | Biannual, bicycle |
| BIO | Life, living organism | Biology, biophysics, biotechnology |
| EX | Former | Ex wife |
| GEO | Of the earth, geography | Geography, geomagnetism, geophysics, geopolitics |
| HOMO | Same or similar | homogenous |
| HYPER | Excessive, excessively | Hyperactive, hypercritical, hypersensitive |
| HYPO | Under | Hypodermic (under the skin), hypothermia |
| INTER | Between, among | Intervene, international |
| INTRA | Inside, within | Intravenous, intranet |
| MAL | Bad, badly | Malpractice, malformed, maladjusted |
| MICRO | Small | Microcosm, microscope |
| MIS | Wrong | Misspell, misconception |
| MONO | One, single, alone | Monochrome, monosyllable, monoxide, monorail |
| MULTI | More than one | Multitude, multiverse |
| NON | Not | Non-reactive, non-smoker |
| OMNI | All, everywhere | Omnipresent |
| PAN | All around, worldwide | Panorama, pandemic |
| POLY | Many | Polygamy, polygon |
| POST | After | Post-war |
| PRE (SEE ALSO ANTE) | Before | Precede, precursor |
| RE | Back, again | Retreat, redo, reverse |
| RETRO | Backward | Retroactive, retrospective |
| SUB | Under, beneath | Subway, submarine, substandard |
| SUPER | Above, over | Superior, supersensitive |
| SYN | Like, same | Synonymous, synonyms, synchronise |
| THERM | Heat | Thermometer, isotherm |
| TRANS | Move from one to another | Transport, transatlantic, translate |
| TRI | Three | Triangle, tricycle, triplets |