Learning prefixes is not always easy. Many learners get confused when they see long words beginning with in-, because sometimes it means “not” and sometimes it means “into.” This creates frustration and slows down vocabulary growth. If you know the exact meaning of the prefix in-, you can understand many English words quickly. In this blog post, we will learn the meaning, common words, and exercises for practice.
Table of Contents
Meaning and Function of the Prefix in-
The prefix in- has two main functions in English.
- It can mean “not” and is used to form the opposite of words (e.g., invisible = not visible).
- It can mean “into” or “inside” and shows movement or direction (e.g., insert = put into).
Understanding this prefix helps you guess the meaning of many new words.
List of Common Words with Prefix in-
The prefix in- appears in hundreds of English words. Below is List of words that begin with in word:
- Inactive
- Inability
- Inaccurate
- Inadequate
- Inadmissible
- Inadvertent
- Inalienable
- Inalterable
- Inamorata
- Inanimate
- Inapplicable
- Inappropriate
- Inapt
- Inarguable
- Inarticulate
- Inattention
- Inaudible
- Inauthentic
- Inbound
- Inborn
- Inbred
- Incapable
- Incautious
- Incendiary
- Incentive
- Incertitude
- Incessant
- Incision
- Incivility
- Inclement
- Inclusive
- Incognizant
- Incognito
- Incoherent
- Incombustible
- Income
- Incoming
- Incompatible
- Incomplete
- Incomprehensible
- Inconceivable
- Inconclusive
- Incongruent
- Inconsequential
- Inconsiderate
- Inconstant
- Incontestable
- Incontrovertible
- Inconvenient
- Incorporate
- Incorrect
- Incorruptible
- Increasing
- Incredible
- Incredulous
- Increment
- Incriminating
- Incubate
- Incumbent
- Incurable
- Indebted
- Indecent
- Indecisive
- Indefatigable
- Indefensible
- Indefinable
- Indefinite
- Indelible
- Independent
- Indescribable
- Indestructible
- Indeterminate
- Indifferent
- Indigenous
- Indigent
- Indignant
- Indignation
- Indirect
- Indiscernible
- Indiscipline
- Indiscreet
- Indiscriminate
- Indispensable
- Indisputable
- Indissoluble
- Indistinct
- Individual
- Indivisible
- Indoctrinate
- Indolent
- Indomitable
- Indubitable
- Induce
- Induction
- Industrial
- Industrious
- Ineffective
- Inefficiency
- Ineffable
- Inelegant
- Ineligible
- Inept
- Inequality
- Inequitable
- Inescapable
- Inevitable
- Inexact
- Inexcusable
- Inexhaustible
- Inexorable
- Inexpensive
- Inexperienced
- Inexpert
- Inexpiable
- Inexplicit
- Inexpressible
- Inextricable
- Infamous
- Infant
- Infantry
- Infection
- Inferior
- Infernal
- Inflammable
- Inflated
- Inflation
- Inflection
- Influence
- Informal
- Information
- Informed
- Infraction
- Infrastructure
- Infuriate
- Infuse
- Ingenious
- Ingenuous
- Inhabit
- Inhabitant
- Inhale
- Inherent
- Inherit
- Inheritance
- Inhibition
- Initial
- Initiate
- Initiative
- Injunction
- Injure
- Injury
- Injustice
- Inland
- Inlay
- Inlet
- Inline
- Inner
- Innermost
- Innocence
- Innocent
- Innovation
- Innovative
- Innuendo
- Inoculate
- Input
- Inquiry
- Insane
- Insatiable
- Insecure
- Insecurity
- Insert
- Insertion
- Inside
- Insight
- Insignia
- Insincere
- Insinuate
- Insipid
- Insist
- Insolent
- Insoluble
- Insomnia
- Inspect
- Inspection
- Inspector
- Inspire
- Inspiration
- Instability
- Install
- Installation
- Instance
- Instant
- Instigate
- Instill
- Institute
- Institution
- Instruction
- Instrument
- Insufficient
- Insular
- Insulate
- Insult
- Insurance
- Intact
- Intangible
- Integral
- Integrate
- Integration
- Integrity
- Intellectual
- Intelligence
- Intend
- Intense
- Intensity
- Intensive
- Intent
- Intention
- Interact
- Interaction
- Interest
- Interesting
- Interface
- Interior
- Internal
- International
- Internet
- Intervene
- Interview
- Intimate
- Intimidate
- Into
- Intolerant
- Intonation
- Intractable
- Intramural
- Intransigent
- Intransitive
- Intravenous
- Intrepid
- Intricate
- Intrigue
- Intrinsic
- Introduce
- Introduction
- Introductory
- Introspect
- Intuition
- Intuitive
- Inundate
- Inure
- Invade
- Invalid
- Invaluable
- Invariable
- Invasion
- Invective
- Inveigh
- Invent
- Invention
- Inventive
- Inventory
- Inverse
- Invert
- Investigate
- Investigation
- Investigator
- Investment
- Investor
- Invincible
- Invisible
- Invitation
- Invite
- Invoke
- Involuntary
- Involve
- Inward
Words with Prefix in- (Meaning “Not”)
These words use in- to give an opposite or negative meaning.
- Incorrect
- Inactive
- Incomplete
- Indirect
- Insincere
- Insecure
- Injustice
- Inexact
- Inaccurate
- Inappropriate
- Inattentive
- Ineffective
- Inefficient
- Inflexible
- Inhuman
- Inharmonious
- Inexperienced
- Incoherent
- Incompetent
- Indecent
- Indelicate
- Inexpressive
- Inartistic
- Inadmissible
- Inapplicable
- Inaudible
- Inaccessible
- Inadaptable
- Inattentive
- Inconvenient
- Inconsiderate
- Indistinct
- Insufficient
- Invisible
Words with Prefix in- (Meaning “Into / Inside”)
These words use in- to show movement or direction.
- Insert
- Include
- Inject
- Inhale
- Input
- Ingest
- Inspire
- Involve
- Invite
- Indoors
- Inset
- Inlay
- Inbuilt
- Ingrain
- Infuse
- Install
- Infix
- Inlet
- Inscribe
- Inbound
- Inboard
- Incur
- Infiltrate
- Inherit
- Inhabit
- Instate
Words with Prefix in- Using in Sentences
Here are example sentences using words with the prefix in-.
- Aisha is insecure about her new project.
- The report was incomplete, so Bilal had to redo it.
- Sara’s answer was incorrect in the test.
- Ali lives in an independent house.
- The medicine is ineffective for this disease.
- Umar found the doors inaccessible during the fire.
- The rules were inappropriate for young students.
- Hiba felt insincere when she apologized without meaning it.
- Ahmed was indecisive about choosing his career.
- The view was almost invisible in the heavy fog.
- This factory has inefficient machines.
- The officer punished the thief for his injustice.
- The ground was infertile for farming.
- They tried to insert a new rule in the policy.
- Fatima used a pen to inscribe her name on the book.
- Musa tried to inhale deeply after running.
- The nurse had to inject medicine into the patient.
- Children love to immerse themselves in games.
- Hamza will invest his money in a new business.
- We need to include everyone in the discussion.
- Students must inquire about the exam date.
- The mechanic will install the new engine.
- The company plans to integrate AI in its work.
- Asma wanted to initiate a campaign for clean water.
- Iqra will invite her friends to dinner.
- Soldiers had to infiltrate the enemy camp.
- The teacher will instruct the class about safety.
- Birds often inhabit trees near the village.
- The bank will inspect the documents carefully.
- The artist will engrave and inlay patterns into the wood.
Fill in the Blanks Exercise Using Prefix in-
Test your knowledge with this short exercise. Fill each blank with the correct word using the prefix in-.
- The answer you wrote is __________ (correct).
- Please __________ the key into the lock.
- The baby was __________ to understand the story.
- The mountain road was __________ during heavy rain.
- He tried to __________ fresh ideas into the team.
- Lying is an __________ habit.
- The scientist will __________ data into the computer.
- The singer felt __________ before the big performance.
- The glass is __________; you cannot see through it.
- She will __________ her name inside the book.
Answers
- Incorrect
- Insert
- Inexperienced
- Inaccessible
- Inspire
- Insincere
- Input
- Insecure
- Invisible
- Inscribe
FAQs about Words prefix in-
What does the prefix in- mean?
The prefix in- can mean “not” (to show the opposite) or “into/inside” (to show direction or movement).
How do I know if in- means “not” or “into”?
The meaning depends on the word. If it makes the word opposite (like incomplete), it means “not.” If it shows movement (like inject), it means “into.”
What is the difference between in- and un-?
Both prefixes mean “not,” but un- is more common in everyday English (e.g., unhappy), while in- is often used in formal or academic words (e.g., invisible).
Can in- change spelling in words?
Yes, sometimes in- changes to im- (e.g., impossible), il- (e.g., illegal), or ir- (e.g., irregular) for easier pronunciation.
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