Prefixes are key parts of English words. For instance, take the word prefix itself. Pre, which means “before,” is the prefix in the word prefix. Fix, which means “fastened,” is the “stem,” or primary part of the word. Thus, a prefix etymologically is that group of letters which is “fastened before” the stem of a word; that is, prefixes begin a word.
Today we will focus on the prefix in, which can mean “in, on, or not.”
Two highly used meanings of in are “in” or “on.” Let’s look at a few examples. In, for instance, can mean “in,” such as in the words inject, to throw “in,” and influx, to flow “in.” In can also mean “on,” used in such words as inscribe, to write “on,” and invoke, to call “on.” Hence, the first primary meanings of in are “in” or “on.”
The English prefix in can also, however, mean “not.” This is a trickier part of this prefix, but once you get the hang of it, it’s highly valuable in decoding English vocabulary. Some examples of in meaning “not” include insane, or “not” sane, independent, or “not” dependent, and invalid, or “not” valid.
By using common sense, context, or the process of elimination, you will find it easier to determine whether in means “in, on” or “not.” For example, inject, throw “in,” would make no sense as “not throw.” Conversely, the word insane makes little sense as “on” sane or sane “in;” rather “not” sane is the most obvious contextual choice.
In our next rootcast we’ll discuss the prefix in again, paying attention to its spelling changes as it attaches to various different stems. Just remember for now that in can mean “in, on, into or not,” and you’ll have this prefix mastered “in” no time at all!
- inject: throw ‘in’
- influx: flow ‘in’
- inscribe: write ‘on’
- invoke: call ‘on’
- insane: ‘not’ sane
- independent: ‘not’ hanging from something
- invalid: ‘not’ valid
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in- Definitions and Synonyms
prefix
UK /ɪn/
Other entries for this word
in adjective, adverb, preposition
in noun
in. abbreviation
do in phrasal verb
go in phrasal verb
add in phrasal verb
add-in
all in phrase
in all phrase
all-in adjective
bed in phrasal verb
box in phrasal verb
buy in phrasal verb
buy-in noun
cut in phrasal verb
dig in phrasal verb
dub in phrasal verb
eat in phrasal verb
end in phrasal verb
fit in phrasal verb
more dictionary definitions
DEFINITIONS2
1
not or no: used with some adjectives and nouns
inoffensive
inaction (=lack of action)
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a-
aero-
Afro-
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2
used with the meanings in, into, towards or within
insert
induce
intend
Synonyms and related words
Prefixes
a-
aero-
Afro-
...
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Definition and synonyms of in- from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education.
This is the British English definition of in-.View American English definition of in-.
Change your default dictionary to American English.
View the pronunciation for in-.
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Other entries for this word
in adjective, adverb, preposition
in noun
in. abbreviation
do in phrasal verb
go in phrasal verb
add in phrasal verb
add-in
all in phrase
in all phrase
all-in adjective
bed in phrasal verb
box in phrasal verb
buy in phrasal verb
buy-in noun
cut in phrasal verb
dig in phrasal verb
dub in phrasal verb
eat in phrasal verb
end in phrasal verb
fit in phrasal verb
more dictionary definitions
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