Words with un-, dis-, in-, im- and non-

Key Notes:-Key Notes:-

Key Notes:-

Prefixes are like little word parts that we add to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. We’re focusing on five super common prefixes: un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non-. They all have a similar job: to turn a word into its opposite or show that something is not a certain way.

Un- Prefix

The prefix un- usually means ‘not’ or ‘the opposite of.’

• Happy means feeling good.
• Unhappy means not happy or sad.

Here are some more examples:

• Kind means caring.
• Unkind means not caring or mean.
• Lock means to fasten with a lock.
• Unlock means to open a lock.
• Tidy means neat.
• Untidy means not neat or messy.

Dis- Prefix

The prefix dis- also means ‘not’ or ‘the opposite of,’ but it can also mean ‘to undo’.

• Connect means to join together.
• Disconnect means to not connect or to separate.

More examples:

• Agree means to have the same opinion.
• Disagree means to not have the same opinion.
• Appear means to become visible.
• Disappear means to vanish or not be visible anymore.
• Obey means to follow the rules
• Disobey means to not follow the rules.

In- and Im- Prefixes

The prefixes in- and im- also mean ‘not’. The prefix you use depends on the word.

• Complete means finished or whole.
• Incomplete means not finished or missing something.
• Possible means able to be done.
• Impossible means not able to be done.

More examples:

• Visible means able to be seen.
• Invisible means not able to be seen.
• Patient means able to wait calmly.
• Impatient means not able to wait calmly.
• Proper means correct or appropriate.
• Improper means not correct or not appropriate.

💡 Important Note: ‘im-‘ is usually used before words starting with ‘m’ or ‘p’

Non- Prefix

The prefix non- means ‘not’.

• Stop means to cease moving
• Nonstop means not stopping or continuous.

More Examples:

• Fiction means a made-up story.
• Nonfiction means a story that is real and based on facts.
• Sense means logical or reasonable.
• Nonsense means without logic or silly.
• Stick means adhesive.
• Nonstick means not adhesive.

Practice Time!

Let’s see if you can use what we learned. Try to think of words that start with un-, dis-, in-, im-, or non-! For example, what is the opposite of “fair”? (Unfair!)

These prefixes are super useful for understanding new words and making your vocabulary bigger! Keep an eye out for them when you’re reading!

Summary

Today we learned about the prefixes un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non- and how they change the meaning of words to mean ‘not’ or the opposite of something. We looked at examples like unhappy, disconnect, incomplete, impossible, and nonstick. Remembering these prefixes will help you understand and use new words!

Key Notes:-

Let’s practice!