Adding Prefixes and Suffixes to
Words
Name_____________________
Hour______________________
You have been given a handout containing the prefixes and suffixes you
should know when you leave the 7th grade. You will need that handout to
complete this activity.
Prefixes
Prefixes are added to the beginning of a base word. It is not necessary to
make any spelling changes to add a prefix to a base word.
Match each prefix with its correct meaning. Write the letter of the
meaning before the prefix it matches (letters may be used more than
once).
____ bi
____ extra
____ fore
____ il
____ im
____ mis
____ post
____ pre
____ re
____ un
a. not
b. incorrect, bad
c. after
d. beyond, outside
e. front
f. again
g. two, halves
h. before
Write the meaning of each word in the space provided, then underline
the prefix and circle the base word.
illegal
preheat
reread
unkind
forehead
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extraordinary
postwar
misplace
bimonthly
impossible
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Add a prefix to each of the following words and give each new word’s
meaning in the space provided (Choose the prefixes from the Prefix/Suffix
handout) and it’s okay to create new words as long as you can provide a
meaning for the words.
Base Word
Prefix
New Word
Meaning
historic
view
thought
cook
juggle
clutter
Look at the base word and the definition. Based on the definition, place
the correct prefix in front of each base word.
Base Word
Prefix
New Word
Meaning
possible
not possible
able
not able
fit
fits badly
war
after the war
view
view before
annual
twice a year
read
read again
head
front of your head
legible
not able to be read
terrestrial
beyond/outside earth
Suffixes
Suffixes are added to the end of a base word. In some cases, when a
suffix is added to a base word a letter is changed, dropped, or doubled.
fancy + ful = fanciful
create+ or = creator
spin + er = spinner
Match each suffix with its correct meaning. Write the letter of the
meaning before the suffix it matches (letters may be used more than
once).
____ able / ible
____ ate
____ er / or
____ ful
____ ist
____ less
____ ly
____ ment
____ tion
a. action, state of, result
b. act or state of
c. capable of
d. in the manner of
e. full of, characterized by
f. without
g. cause, make
h. one who, that which
Write the meaning of each word in the space provided, then underline
the suffix and circle the base word.
curable
agreement
pianist
mannerly
fearless
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accessible
realist
containment
exaggeration
hopeful
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Add a suffix to each of the following words and give each new word’s
meaning in the space provided (Choose the prefixes from the Prefix/Suffix
handout) and it’s okay to create new words as long as you can provide a
meaning for the words.
Base Word
fix
wait
thought
Suffix
New Word
Meaning
Base Word
Suffix
New Word
Meaning
home
danger
happy
Look at the base word and the definition. Based on the definition, place
the correct suffix behind each base word.
Base Word
Suffix
New Word
Meaning
Sincere
manner – being sincere
adapt
able to be adapted
violin
one who plays violin
farm
one who farms
home
without a home
move
state of moving
exact
manner of being exact