Learning English vocabulary can be confusing when words change their meaning with small parts like prefixes. Many students struggle when they see words such as unhappy or unlock and cannot explain why they mean the opposite. This creates frustration and slows down learning. The good news is that understanding prefix words for un makes vocabulary easier and more logical. In this blog post, you will learn the meaning, function, lists, and examples of words with the prefix un-.
Table of Contents
Meaning and Function of the Prefix un-
The prefix un- is one of the most common prefixes in English. It usually means “not” or “reverse/remove.”
- When un- means “not”, it shows the opposite quality of a word (example: happy → unhappy).
- When un- means “reverse/remove”, it shows an action of doing the opposite (example: tie → untie).
List of Common Prefix Words for un
There are hundreds of words that use the prefix un-. Below is list of prefix words for un:
- Unable
- Unaware
- Unafraid
- Unarmed
- Unattended
- Unavailable
- Unbalanced
- Unbearable
- Unbelievable
- Unbending
- Unbiased
- Unbreakable
- Unbridled
- Unbroken
- Uncertain
- Unchanging
- Uncivil
- Unclean
- Unclear
- Uncommon
- Unconcerned
- Unconditional
- Unconnected
- Unconscious
- Uncontrolled
- Uncooperative
- Uncover
- Undecided
- Undefined
- Undeniable
- Understood
- Undesirable
- Undeveloped
- Undivided
- Undone
- Undoubted
- Uneasy
- Unequal
- Unequaled
- Unequivocal
- Unethical
- Unexpected
- Unfair
- Unfaithful
- Unfamiliar
- Unfasten
- Unfavorable
- Unfeeling
- Unfinished
- Unfit
- Unfold
- Unforgettable
- Unfortunate
- Unfriendly
- Ungrateful
- Unguarded
- Unhappy
- Unhealthy
- Unhelpful
- Unhindered
- Unholy
- Uniformed
- Unimportant
- Unimpressed
- Uninformed
- Uninjured
- Unintended
- Uninterested
- Unique
- United
- Universal
- Unlimited
- Unlock
- Unlucky
- Unmade
- Unmanageable
- Unmarried
- Unmatched
- Unmindful
- Unmoved
- Unnecessary
- Unnoticed
- Unofficial
- Unopened
- Unorganized
- Unpaid
- Unpleasant
- Unpopular
- Unpredictable
- Unprepared
- Unprotected
- Unqualified
- Unquestionable
- Unread
- Unreal
- Unreasonable
- Unrecognizable
- Unrelated
- Unreliable
- Unresponsive
- Unrest
- Unrestricted
- Unsaid
- Unscientific
- Unseen
- Unselfish
- Unsettled
- Unshaken
- Unskilled
- Unsolved
- Unspoken
- Unsteady
- Unsuccessful
- Unsuitable
- Unsure
- Untidy
- Untimely
- Untouched
- Untrained
- Untrue
- Unused
- Unusual
- Unwanted
- Unwilling
- Unwise
- Unworthy
- Unwritten
Words with Prefix un- (Showing “Not”)
These words mean the opposite of the root word:
- unhappy
- unfair
- unkind
- unlucky
- unsafe
- unclear
- untrue
- unhealthy
- unknown
- unpleasant
- unfriendly
- unhelpful
- unseen
- untidy
- unusual
- unwilling
- unimportant
- unfit
- uneasy
- unwise
- unspoken
- unready
- unsteady
- unbalanced
- unprepared
- uncertain
- unfaithful
- ungrateful
- unemployed
- unqualified
- unshakable
- unbreakable
- unlimited
- undeniable
- unnoticed
- unachievable
- untrustworthy
- unworthy
- unforgettable
- unchangeable
Words with Prefix un- (Showing “Reverse / Remove”)
These words show the action of undoing or reversing something:
- untie
- unlock
- uncover
- undo
- unwrap
- unload
- unroll
- unplug
- unbutton
- unfasten
- uncover
- unlace
- unmask
- unclip
- unchain
- unstick
- unseal
- unjam
- unpack
- unbend
- unfold
- untwist
- unwind
- unleash
- unhook
- uncoil
- unfreeze
- unglue
- unstrap
- unscrew
- unbox
- unstack
- unplow
- unburden
- unpeg
- unearth
- unarm
- unbar
- unbind
Practice Sentences Using Prefix un-
Here are practice sentences with prefix words for un-.
- Aisha felt unhappy after losing her notebook.
- The test paper was unclear, so Bilal asked the teacher.
- Sara thinks cheating is unfair.
- Hamza was unlucky to miss the last bus.
- Playing in the street is unsafe for children.
- The story seemed unreal but was true.
- Ahmad’s room is always untidy.
- The milk was unhealthy to drink.
- His rude words were unpleasant.
- The secret remained unknown to everyone.
- They were unready for the sudden exam.
- The rope became untied during the climb.
- The thief tried to unlock the gate.
- Fatima had to unpack her school bag.
- He decided to undo his mistake.
- The box was hard to unwrap.
- Ali helped his friend unload the books.
- I had to unplug the charger before leaving.
- The soldier was forced to unmask himself.
- Children love to unroll posters on the wall.
- The dog was excited when they unleashed it.
- Zain tried to unfasten his seat belt quickly.
- We must uncover the truth behind the case.
- The teacher advised not to feel unworthy.
- The truth was undeniable to everyone.
- His success is unforgettable in history.
- Hania’s excuse sounded unreasonable.
- The ground was uneven after the rain.
- Hassan remained unmoved by the sad story.
- The final result was uncertain until the end.
FAQs about Prefix Words for un
The prefix un- usually means “not” (opposite quality) or “reverse/remove” (undo an action).
Some examples include unhappy, unfair, unsafe, unlock, untidy, unload, unclear, undo, unusual, and unfit.
No. Un- usually makes an opposite word, while non- means “without” (example: nonsense = without sense).
No. Only certain words form correct English with un-. For example, unwalk is incorrect.
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