This document contains lists of words with common prefixes, suffixes, and root words to help teach phonics. The prefixes include dis-, im-, in-, mis-, pre-, re-, and un-. The suffixes include -able, -er, -ful, -ion, -less, -ly, and -ness. Example words are provided to demonstrate how adding these prefixes and suffixes can change a root word's meaning. The word lists are intended as a reference for teachers to use in phonics instruction and assessment.

1. Words with Prefixes
dis im in mis pre
disagree impatient inactive misbehave prearrange
disappear imperfect incomplete mislay precook
disarm impolite incorrect mislead prepaid
disconnect impossible indefinite misplace preschool
dishonest impure mispronounce pretest
dislike misread preview
disloyal misspell
dismount mistreat
disobey misuse
disorder
disown
distrust
re un
reappear remove unable unheated
rearm rename unafraid unkind
rearrange renumber unbroken unknown
recount repack uncertain unlike
redo repaint uncommon unlock
reenter repay uncooked unlucky
refill replace uncover unpainted
refresh replay undecided unreal
refried reread undress unselfish
regrew rerun unequal untangle
regroup resale uneven untied
reheat reshape unexpected unusual
rehire retell unfair unwrapped
reload rethink unfamiliar
remade retrace unfasten
remake reword unhappy
remarry rewrite unhealthy
Prefix and Suffix Word List
Reference
from Teaching and Assessing Phonics
www.epsbooks.com Prefix and Suffix Word List Reference from Teaching and Assessing Phonics x 1
E D U C AT O R S P U B L I S H I N G S E R V I C E

2. www.epsbooks.com2 x Prefix and Suffix Word List Reference from Teaching and Assessing Phonics
able
admirable
agreeable
approachable
avoidable
believable
breakable
comfortable
curable
desirable
enjoyable
excitable
excusable
exchangeable
imaginable
laughable
likable
manageable
moveable
noticeable
observable
pleasurable
readable
respectable
salable
teachable
trainable
understandable
usable
washable
wearable
workable
en
blacken
brighten
cheapen
dampen
darken
fatten
flatten
freshen
gladden
golden
harden
lengthen
lighten
loosen
moisten
quicken
ripen
sadden
sharpen
shorten
strengthen
sweeten
thicken
toughen
whiten
widen
wooden
er
bomber
catcher
commander
dancer
defender
designer
dodger
driver
dryer
explorer
follower
gambler
golfer
invader
juggler
leader
manager
painter
performer
pitcher
pointer
rancher
robber
ruler
scraper
settler
sharpener
shopper
speaker
stinger
teacher
trapper
washer
ful
armful
careful
cheerful
colorful
delightful
fearful
forgetful
helpful
hopeful
joyful
painful
peaceful
playful
respectful
restful
successful
thankful
useful
wasteful
wonderful
youthful
ible
collapsible
collectible
convertible
defensible
digestible
expressible
forcible
reversible
Words with Suffixes

3. www.epsbooks.com Prefix and Suffix Word List Reference from Teaching and Assessing Phonics x 3
ion
action
attraction
celebration
collection
collision
communication
confusion
construction
correction
decision
decoration
demonstration
destruction
digestion
direction
division
election
erosion
explosion
graduation
hibernation
infection
injection
inspection
invention
location
migration
objection
operation
pollution
protection
rotation
selection
suggestion
vacation
less
ageless
beardless
blameless
breathless
careless
childless
cloudless
fearless
harmless
helpless
homeless
hopeless
jobless
painless
restless
sleepless
useless
worthless
ly
badly
bravely
brightly
cleverly
fairly
foolishly
freely
gladly
greatly
happily
honestly
kindly
lonely
loudly
nearly
neatly
nervously
politely
proudly
quietly
rudely
safely
sickly
smoothly
softly
sweetly
swiftly
wisely
ness
cleverness
darkness
fairness
foolishness
goodness
greatness
kindness
likeness
loudness
meanness
nervousness
politeness
sadness
sickness
smoothness
softness
sweetness
swiftness
thickness
Words with Suffixes continued
Jeanne S. Chall and Helen M. Popp, Teaching and Assessing Phonics:
A Guide for Teachers, available from Educators Publishing Service.