Word Formation — Prefixes

word-formation-prefixes

Word List

Word Definition Example
disagree /ˌdɪsəˈɡriː/not agreeI disagree — I think the film was boring. (AGREE)
misunderstand /ˌmɪsʌndəˈstænd/understand wronglySorry, I misunderstood — I thought you said Tuesday. (UNDERSTAND)
rebuild /ˌriːˈbɪld/build againThey had to rebuild the bridge after the flood. (BUILD)
oversleep /ˌəʊvəˈsliːp/sleep longer than you plannedI overslept and missed the bus. (SLEEP)
underestimate /ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪt/think something is smaller or easier than it isDon't underestimate the other team — they're very good. (ESTIMATE)
impatient /ɪmˈpeɪʃnt/not patientHe gets impatient when he has to wait in a queue. (PATIENT)
illegal /ɪˈliːɡl/against the lawIt's illegal to drive without a licence. (LEGAL)
irresponsible /ˌɪrɪˈspɒnsəbl/not responsible; not carefulLeaving the baby alone was very irresponsible. (RESPONSIBLE)
dishonest /dɪsˈɒnɪst/not honestIt was dishonest of him to copy my answers. (HONEST)
unlock /ʌnˈlɒk/open with a key or codeI can't unlock my phone — I forgot the code. (LOCK)

word-formation-prefixes — Practice

Which word is it?

  1. Not agree:  
  2. Understand wrongly:  
  3. Build again:  
  4. Sleep longer than you planned:  
  5. Think something is smaller or easier than it is:  
  6. Not patient:  
  7. Against the law:  
  8. Not responsible; not careful:  
  9. Not honest:  
  10. Open with a key or code:  

Complete the sentences

  1. Sorry, I   — I thought you said Tuesday. (UNDERSTAND)
  2. Don't   the other team — they're very good. (ESTIMATE)
  3. Leaving the baby alone was very  . (RESPONSIBLE)
  4. I   — I think the film was boring. (AGREE)
  5. I   and missed the bus. (SLEEP)
  6. It's   to drive without a licence. (LEGAL)
  7. I can't   my phone — I forgot the code. (LOCK)
  8. They had to   the bridge after the flood. (BUILD)
  9. He gets   when he has to wait in a queue. (PATIENT)
  10. It was   of him to copy my answers. (HONEST)

word-formation-prefixes — Answer Key

Which word is it?

  1. disagree
  2. misunderstand
  3. rebuild
  4. oversleep
  5. underestimate
  6. impatient
  7. illegal
  8. irresponsible
  9. dishonest
  10. unlock

Complete the sentences

  1. misunderstood
  2. underestimate
  3. irresponsible
  4. disagree
  5. overslept
  6. illegal
  7. unlock
  8. rebuild
  9. impatient
  10. dishonest