Prefixes are a syllable, or group of syllables, added to the beginning of a word to alter its meaning. Prefixes help to add complexity to the English language and make it possible to create new words that are easily understood by speakers everywhere. Understanding a few prefix examples will help you to apply logic to new words and decode them appropriately.

For example, consider the prefix de-. This prefix means to undo something and is usually attached to a verb. Thus, you can take the verb activate, which means to put something to use, and change it to deactivate, which means to take something out of use. Likewise, adding de- to other verbs reverses their original meaning, as in decompose and devalue.

Overcooks meaning

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