Learning English vocabulary can feel confusing when you don’t understand how words are built. Many students face difficulty with long words that look complex but share a common root or prefix. One such prefix is “pre-”, which often means before or in advance. Without understanding this small part, learners miss the meaning of many words like preview or prepare. This blog post explains the words with the prefix of pre-, their meaning, and practical usage so you can understand them with confidence.
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Meaning and Function of Words with the Prefix of Pre
The prefix pre- is added at the beginning of a word to change its meaning. It usually means “before” or “in advance.” For example, preheat means to heat before cooking, and preview means to look at something before it is shown. This small prefix gives a clear idea of time or order in English vocabulary.
List of Common Words with the Prefix of Pre
The following is a long list of common pre- words used in daily English. These words often appear in school, work, and daily conversations.
- Preach
- Preacher
- Preamble
- Precaution
- Precede
- Precedent
- Preceding
- Precept
- Precipitate
- Precise
- Precision
- Preclude
- Preclinical
- Precognition
- Preconceive
- Preconception
- Precondition
- Preconfigured
- Preconstruction
- Predate
- Predator
- Predatory
- Predefine
- Predestined
- Predetermine
- Predict
- Predictable
- Prediction
- Predictor
- Predispose
- Predisposition
- Predominant
- Predominate
- Preeminent
- Preempt
- Preemptive
- Preface
- Prefect
- Preference
- Preferential
- Preferred
- Prefix
- Pregame
- Pregnant
- Prehistoric
- Prejudge
- Prejudice
- Preliminary
- Prelude
- Premature
- Premeditated
- Premium
- Premonition
- Prenatal
- Preoccupation
- Preoccupied
- Preoperative
- Preordain
- Preowned
- Prepaid
- Preplan
- Preparation
- Preparatory
- Prepare
- Preposition
- Preposterous
- Preprinted
- Preproduction
- Preprogrammed
- Prequel
- Prerecord
- Prerequisite
- Prescribe
- Prescription
- Presence
- Present
- Presentation
- Preserve
- Preside
- Presidency
- President
- Press
- Pressure
- Prestige
- Presto
- Presume
- Presumption
- Presumptuous
- Pretend
- Pretense
- Pretentious
- Pretest
- Pretrial
- Pretty
- Prevalence
- Prevalent
- Prevent
- Prevention
- Preventive
- Preview
- Previous
- Prevision
- Prewar
- Prewash
- Prewrite
Words with Prefix Pre- (Showing “Before”)
These words show the meaning of “before” in time or order:
- Prearrange
- Precede
- Predefine
- Predetermine
- Preface
- Pregame
- Preheat
- Preload
- Premature
- Premix
- Preoccupied
- Preorder
- Preplan
- Prequel
- Preschedule
- Prewarn
- Prework
- Prewriting
Words with Prefix Pre- (Showing “In Advance”)
These words show the meaning of “in advance” or preparing earlier:
- Precaution
- Precook
- Predispose
- Predict
- Prejudge
- Prepay
- Preprogram
- Prerecord
- Prescribe
- Preserve
- Pretreatment
- Prevent
- Preview
- Previous
- Prepare
Words with the Prefix of Pre- Using in Example Sentences
Here are examples of pre- words in sentences for better understanding:
- Fatima took a precaution before traveling to another city.
- Bilal decided to prepare his presentation one day early.
- The teacher asked students to write a preface for their projects.
- Ali had to prepay his school fees for the next semester.
- A short preview of the drama was shown before the main performance.
- Ayesha was preoccupied with her homework all evening.
- They made a preplan for the wedding arrangements.
- Hamza pressed the button to preschedule the machine’s work.
- The medicine was given as a pretreatment before surgery.
- The bakery had to precook the bread for quick serving.
Fill in the Blanks Exercise Using Prefix of Pre
Complete the sentences below using the correct pre- word:
- The doctor gave a _________ to help the patient recover.
- Before the big event, they had to _________ the hall.
- The teacher asked students to write a short _________ before the essay.
- We must take a _________ to stay safe in the storm.
- The director showed us a short _________ of the movie.
- Sara likes to _________ her meals before guests arrive.
- The company will _________ your order if you pay early.
- The soldiers had to _________ for the upcoming drill.
- His speech seemed _________ because it was not ready.
- Students were asked to _________ their notes before the exam.
Answers
- Prescription
- Prearrange
- Preface
- Precaution
- Preview
- Precook
- Prepay
- Prepare
- Premature
- Prewrite
FAQs about Words with the Prefix of Pre
The prefix pre- usually means before or in advance. It shows that something happens earlier than expected.
Five examples are: preview, prepare, precaution, preheat, prepay.
You can use them in daily situations like prepaying bills, preparing lessons, or watching a preview of a film.
Mostly yes. The prefix pre- refers to before in time or action, but sometimes it shows priority or advance arrangement.
You May Also Like
- Prefixes and Suffixes in English
- Words Prefix with in-
- List of Singular Nouns
