prefix

noun

/ˈpriːfɪks/

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(grammar) a letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning, such as un- in unhappy and pre- in preheat
- negative prefixes such as ‘un-’ and ‘dis-’
compare affix, suffixTopics Languageb1
a word, letter or number that is put before another
- Car insurance policies have the prefix MC (for motor car).
(old-fashioned) a title such as Dr or Mrs used before a person’s nameTopics Family and relationshipsc2

Word Originmid 16th cent. (as a verb): from Old French prefixer, from Latin praefixus ‘fixed in front’, from the verb praefigere, from prae ‘before’ + figere ‘to fix’. The noun is from modern Latin praefixum, neuter (used as a noun) of praefixus, and dates from the mid 17th cent.

prefix

verb

/ˈpriːfɪks/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they prefix	/ˈpriːfɪks/ /ˈpriːfɪks/
he / she / it prefixes	/ˈpriːfɪksɪz/ /ˈpriːfɪksɪz/
past simple prefixed	/ˈpriːfɪkst/ /ˈpriːfɪkst/
past participle prefixed	/ˈpriːfɪkst/ /ˈpriːfɪkst/
-ing form prefixing	/ˈpriːfɪksɪŋ/ /ˈpriːfɪksɪŋ/

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to add letters or numbers to the beginning of a word or number
- prefix A to B American members have the letters US prefixed to their code numbers.
- prefix B with A Their code numbers are prefixed with US.
Word Originmid 16th cent. (as a verb): from Old French prefixer, from Latin praefixus ‘fixed in front’, from the verb praefigere, from prae ‘before’ + figere ‘to fix’. The noun is from modern Latin praefixum, neuter (used as a noun) of praefixus, and dates from the mid 17th cent.