Prefixes Meaning Not
Some prefixes change the meaning of a word to its opposite. We call these prefixes of negation because they negate (make negative) the meaning. Some prefixes of negation are non-, un-, in-, dis-, de-, and a-. Understanding such words is not a difficult matter when you know the base word, or root. Knowing which prefix to use is a more complex problem. Following a few guidelines, listening and watching for words with prefixes in different contexts, and practicing will help you understand these words and use them properly.
non- and un-
The machinery is unusable because it is nonoperative.
The firm was penalized for noncompliance with safety regulations.
That is a job for which Vera is unqualified.
Each italicized word in these statements can be restated using the word not with the base word. The machinery is not usable because it does not operate. The firm did not comply with the regulations. Vera is not qualified for the job.
non-
The meaning of this common prefix is seldom confused. Non- means not. Nonsense is clearly the opposite of sense. Nonstandard means, simply, "not standard." Nonmetallic means "not made of metal."
un-
Un-, like non-, can mean not. When un- is used with verbs, however, it gives the meaning of reversal of an action, as in unlock or unchain.
A few roots can combine with either non- or un- to form words that differ in meaning, such as non-American and un-American. How do these words differ in meaning? Which word means "lacking patriotism"? Which means "not of American origin, manufacture, or character"? The following examples will tell you.
The spy gave secret government information to other countries; those actions were un-American.
Our company does not buy products of non-American origin; they buy only goods made in the U.S.A.
nonproductive not productive; not producing
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uncover remove a covering
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nonflammable not flammable
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unsophisticated not sophisticated; simple
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unambiguous not ambiguous or doubtful; clear, direct
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in- and dis-
The firm's funds were insufficient to pay for a new computer.
The impartial managers made an objective decision.
That product is no longer available; its production has been discontinued.
The sisters look alike, but their personalities are dissimilar.
Restate each of these sentences using a phrase with not to replace the italicized word. Also, try to think of a word to replace the italicized word that does not use a prefix meaning "not."
Insufficient can be stated as not enough (or too little); managers who are impartial are not partial or not biased (or objective); discontinued production is not continued (or stopped); and dissimilar is not alike (or different).
in-
One use of the prefix in- is to express negation. For example, inaudible means "not audible," or "not able to be heard." (The root comes from the Latin word audire, meaning "to hear.") Indecisive means "not decisive" or "not able to make a decision."
This prefix changes its spelling depending on the root or base word to which it is attached. Before l, in- becomes il-, as in illogical or illegible. Before p or b or m, in- becomes im-, as in impossible, imbalance, or immature. Before r, in- becomes ir-, as in irregular or irresponsible.
Some roots can combine with non- or in- to form words of different meanings. What is the difference between nonhuman and inhuman? Which word means "lacking human values and emotions"? Which means "not a human being"? Here they are in context:
Their treatment of the prisoners was inhuman.
The android was a nonhuman made to look like a human.
dis-
Dis- is another prefix used to convey a meaning of "not." The word dishonest means "not honest." Dissimilar means "not similar" or "different." What would discontent mean? In some words, dis- means "lack of." With verbs, dis- can indicate reversal, as in disjoin or discontinue.
The spelling of this prefix also changes. One common variation is dif-. The word difficult, for example, is formed by combining dif-, or "not," with a form of the Latin word facilis, which means "easy," giving us "not easy."
improbable not probable; unlikely
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disjoin separate
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ineligible not eligible
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discomfort lack of ease
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What are the meanings of the following prefixes?
non- ________________
un- _______________
in- ________________
dis- ________________
PREFIXES RELATED TO NEGATION
non-, un-, in-, dis- not
un-, dis- reversal of an action (used with verbs)
dis- lack of
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A Note on a-
The prefix a- is complex and confusing. Sometimes a- means not or without. Common examples of this use are atypical and absent.
Other instances of the prefix a- mean in, on, or at, as in asleep or aboard.
Yet another form of a- means up, on, or away, as in arise.
Also, a- can mean of or from, as in akin.
As if things weren't complicated enough already, different forms or spellings of this prefix abound. An-, ad-, and ab- all abbreviate to a-and their spelling changes when combined with different letters! Generally, the ab- prefix indicates off, from, or away; an- indicates not; and ad- indicates to-, or toward.
For now, remember a few examples of words with the a- ("not") prefix: atypical, amoral, aseptic, and amorphous. These mean, respectively, "not typical," "not moral," "not infected," and "not having form or body."
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