Negative Prefixes

We use negative prefixes to give a word the opposite meaning.

Prefix	Use	Examples
un-	the most common negative prefix	unhappy, unfair, unreliable
in-	used with many adjectives	incorrect, inactive, informal
im-	usually before m and p	impossible, impatient, immature
ir-	usually before r	irregular, irresponsible, irrelevant
il-	usually before l	illegal, illogical, illegible
dis-	often means “not” or “the opposite of”	dishonest, dissatisfied, disloyal

Remember: you cannot always choose the prefix by rule alone. It is best to learn the whole word.

Match the Opposites

Choose a word on the left, then click its opposite on the right.