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How Well Do You Know Your Pre-, Dis-, Un- and Re- Prefixes?

Think you can master prefix re un? Start the test and prove your skills!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Illustration of a prefixes quiz announcement with paper art elements on a dark blue background.

Ready to master the art of English prefixes? Our free prefixes un re challenge is designed for word lovers, students and language enthusiasts eager to test their knowledge of Pre-, Dis-, Un- and Re- prefixes. In this engaging English prefixes quiz, you'll explore how prefix re un shapes meaning, discover patterns in prefixes pre dis un re, and learn strategies to spot and use them in everyday writing. Whether you're prepping for exams or brushing up on vocabulary, this quiz offers instant feedback, fun examples, and handy tips to boost confidence. Ready to take charge? Dive in, sharpen your skills with our interactive prefixes quiz and track your progress. Let's get started!

What does the prefix 'pre-' mean in the word 'preview'?
Not
Before
Again
After
The prefix 'pre-' originates from Latin and means "before", indicating that a preview happens before the main event. In the word "preview", it shows that you see something ahead of time. Understanding 'pre-' helps interpret many English words like "preliminary" and "prehistoric". For more details, see Dictionary.com.
In the word 'unhappy', the prefix 'un-' conveys what meaning?
Before
Not
Again
Opposite direction
The prefix 'un-' is a common negative prefix meaning "not". In "unhappy", it negates the emotion, indicating a lack of happiness. The same prefix appears in words like "unfair" and "unseen". See Merriam-Webster for more.
In the word 'redo', the prefix 're-' means:
Not
Again
Opposite
Before
The prefix 're-' comes from Latin and generally means "again" or "back". In "redo", it signifies doing something again. This prefix appears in words like "replay" and "rebuild". More at Dictionary.com.
What does the prefix 'dis-' indicate in the word 'disable'?
Again
Not or opposite of
Before
Together
The prefix 'dis-' often conveys negation or the opposite meaning in English. In "disable", it means "not able" or "opposite of able." It works similarly in words like "disagree" and "dislike." For further reading, visit Grammar Monster.
Which word describes an event that occurs before the main event?
Postgame
Pregame
Regame
Ungame
The prefix 'pre-' means "before," so "pregame" refers to activities or events that take place before the game. Postgame would indicate after, and the other options are not standard English words. See Merriam-Webster.
Which word means "to build again"?
Rebuild
Unbuild
Disable
Prebuild
The prefix 're-' means "again," so "rebuild" literally means "to build again." This prefix appears in words like "reconnect" and "reorganize." For more, see Dictionary.com.
Which word means "not satisfied"?
Presatisfied
Dissatisfied
Unsatisfied
Resatisfied
The prefix 'dis-' in "dissatisfied" means "not" or "opposite of," making the word mean "not satisfied." While 'unsatisfied' is also correct in meaning, the quiz tests knowledge of the 'dis-' prefix here. See Merriam-Webster.
In the word 'disagree', the prefix 'dis-' signifies:
Together
Before
Not or opposite of
Again
Here, 'dis-' means "not" or "the opposite of," so "disagree" means "not agree." This use of 'dis-' negates the root. More examples are found at Grammar Monster.
She had to ______ the document because of several mistakes.
redraft
unsend
preprint
dissect
The prefix 're-' means "again," so "redraft" means to draft again. The other choices do not convey that sense. For more information, visit Dictionary.com.
Which word means "to not believe"?
Unbelieve
Prebelieve
Rebelieve
Disbelieve
The prefix 'dis-' negates the root verb, so 'disbelieve' means "to not believe." This is a standard formation in English. See Merriam-Webster.
In the word 'rejuvenate', the prefix 're-' means:
Again
Before
Backward
Not
Although 'rejuvenate' has a complex etymology, in modern usage the prefix 're-' conveys the sense of "again," as in "make young again." For details, see Dictionary.com.
Which word means "to postpone or cancel a punishment"?
Preview
Disprove
Reprieve
Unprove
The prefix 're-' in 'reprieve' comes from Old French and Latin meaning "again," but the modern sense evolved to mean postponing or canceling a punishment. More at Merriam-Webster.
Which word uses 'dis-' to indicate a reversing action rather than simple negation?
Disappear
Disassemble
Dislike
Disagree
In 'disassemble', 'dis-' implies a reversal of the action of assembling, rather than just negation. This sense of 'dis-' is common in verbs like 'disarm' and 'discharge'. See Grammar Monster.
What does the word 'preempt' literally mean based on its prefix?
To block forever
To seize in advance
To do again
To remove completely
The prefix 'pre-' means 'before' and 'empt' comes from Latin 'emere' meaning 'to buy or seize.' Thus, 'preempt' literally means to seize or act before someone else. More details at Dictionary.com.
After the break, we will ______ the team meeting.
Premeet
Disconnect
Reconvene
Unmeet
The prefix 're-' means 'again,' so 'reconvene' means 'to come together again.' The other options do not convey the correct meaning. For more, see Merriam-Webster.
In the word 'unwitting', the prefix 'un-' indicates:
Apart
Again
Before
Not
Here, 'un-' negates the root 'witting', meaning 'not knowing' or 'unaware.' This use of 'un-' is common in adjectives like 'unseen' and 'unplanned.' Visit Merriam-Webster for more.
What is the meaning of the word 'disburse'?
To testify
To pay out
To block
To gather
The prefix 'dis-' here intensifies the action of 'burs' (from Latin 'bursa' meaning purse), so 'disburse' means 'to pay out funds.' See Dictionary.com for more.
Which word does NOT use the prefix 're-' to mean 'again'?
Respect
Regenerate
Rewrite
Recollect
In 'respect', the 're-' comes from Latin 're-' meaning 'back' in the sense of 'look back at', not 'again.' Other examples like 'rewrite' and 'recollect' clearly mean 'again.' More at Etymonline.
In 'disinclined', the prefix 'dis-' conveys:
Not or opposite of
Before
Together
Again
Here, 'dis-' negates 'inclined,' meaning 'not inclined.' This negative use of 'dis-' appears in words like 'dislike' and 'disagree.' See Merriam-Webster.
Which of the following is the correct antonym of 'compress'?
Compress
Repress
Impress
Decompress
The prefix 'de-' means 'remove' or 'reverse,' so 'decompress' means 'to reverse the action of compressing.' This prefix is distinct from 're-.' More info at Dictionary.com.
What does the prefix 'dis-' mean in the word 'disparate'?
Not
Together
Again
Apart
In 'disparate', 'dis-' stems from Latin meaning 'apart' or 'away', indicating things that are fundamentally different. For more on its origin, see Etymonline.
In 'prevaricate', the prefix 'pre-' does NOT carry its usual meaning of 'before'. Which option best describes its sense here?
Before
None of the above
Contrary
Straddle or deviate
The word 'prevaricate' comes from Latin 'praevaricari' meaning 'to walk crookedly' or 'to deviate'. The 'pre-' is not the standard 'before' prefix. Read more at Etymonline.
In the word 'resign', the prefix 're-' historically means:
Forward
Back
Again
Not
Etymologically, 'resign' comes from Latin 'resignare', where 're-' means 'back' and 'signare' means 'to mark.' Thus, 'resign' originally meant 'to unseal' or 'to cancel.' More at Etymonline.
The prefix 'ir-' in 'irresponsible' is an allomorph of which negative prefix?
re-
dis-
un-
in-
The prefix 'ir-' is a form of 'in-' before an 'r' for ease of pronunciation. Both mean 'not.' This assimilation happens in words like 'illegal' (in- ? il-). See Grammar Monster.
Which word is etymologically derived from Latin 'dis-' meaning 'apart' or 'away'?
Discover
Disbelief
Disable
Distract
In 'distract', 'dis-' comes from Latin meaning 'apart' and 'tract' from 'trahere' meaning 'to pull', so 'distract' literally means 'to pull apart'. For etymology, see Etymonline.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Prefix Definitions -

    Learn the meanings and grammatical functions of Pre-, Dis-, Un-, and Re- prefixes to enhance your vocabulary foundation.

  2. Identify Prefix Usage -

    Recognize and select correct uses of Pre-, Dis-, Un-, and Re- prefixes within diverse word contexts in the interactive English prefixes quiz.

  3. Differentiate Prefix Functions -

    Distinguish how Pre-, Dis-, Un-, and Re- prefixes alter word meanings and grammatical roles.

  4. Apply Prefixes Contextually -

    Create new words by applying prefixes appropriately to root words in practice exercises.

  5. Evaluate Proficiency with prefixes un re -

    Assess your strengths and weaknesses by reviewing instant feedback on your prefix quiz performance.

  6. Practice Word Formation Skills -

    Reinforce English grammar through repeated prefix exercises that build long-term retention.

Cheat Sheet

  1. "pre-" for "before" -

    The prefix pre- means "before in time or order," as seen in words like predict (to say before) and prehistoric (before recorded history). Cambridge University Press highlights its consistent use to establish temporal relationships. A handy mnemonic is "PRior to Everything" to remember pre-.

  2. "re-" for "again" or "back" -

    Re- signifies repetition or return, appearing in words like rebuild (build again) and revert (turn back). According to Oxford English Dictionary guidelines, re- is unstressed when simply meaning "again," but stressed when implying "back" (reCORD vs REcord). Think "REpeat Everything" to lock in the idea of doing something anew.

  3. "un-" as a general negator -

    Un- forms opposites for adjectives, adverbs, and verbs (e.g., unhappy, unlock), as detailed by Purdue OWL's morphology notes. It simply means "not" or "the opposite of," and is the most versatile negative prefix in English. Use the phrase "Un = Not One" to recall its broad "not" function.

  4. "dis-" for negation and reversal -

    Dis- conveys not, opposite of, or separation (e.g., disconnect, disapprove); it appears frequently in formal registers, as noted by Merriam-Webster's usage panel. Unlike un-, dis- sometimes implies an active undoing, such as disassemble (take apart). Remember "DISassemble = DISassemble," where the prefix literally "dissolves" the base word.

  5. Prefix stacking and order rules -

    When combining multiple prefixes (prefixes pre dis un re), academic sources like the University of Manchester warn to respect morphological hierarchy - temporal pre- before negative un- or dis-, and core meaning-altering re- last. For example, pre- + assign + ment → preassignment, not re-un-assign. A helpful trick is "Time-Negative-Core-Repeat" to sequence Pre, Dis/Un, then Re.

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