This document defines and provides examples for a number of prefix words beginning with "pre-", including preapprove, precaution, precede, predict, prefix, prejudge, prepay, pretest, prevent, and preview. The definitions and examples show how the "pre-" prefix modifies the root words to indicate something happening or being done in advance of the main event or action.

1. before, in advance
pre-

2. preapprove
to authorize
or give
permission
in
advance
Congratulations! You have been
preapproved for a credit card!

3. precaution
a measure
taken in
advance to
prevent
harmHe wore a helmet while riding his bike as a
precaution.

4. precede
to come
before
something
else in time,
order, or
rank
Read the chapters that precede chapter three.

5. predict
to say what
will
happen
before it
occursSadly, the psychic was unable to predict the
future.

6. prefix
a syllable or
word that
comes before
a root word to
change its
meaning

7. prejudge
to make a
decision
before
you have
all the facts
Martin Luther King Jr. knew that it was
wrong to prejudge someone based on the
color of their skin.

8. prepay
to pay for
something
before it
needs to be
paid in full Some pumps at gas stations require you to
prepay for your gas before you begin
pumping it.

9. pretest
a test before
the real test,
usually given
to see what
is already
known
We take a spelling pretest every Monday.

10. prevent
to stop
something
from
happening
before it
occurs

11. preview
to look at or
see
something
before
something or
someone elseI always make sure I get to the movie theatre
early so I can watch the previews.