How to pronounce prefix
Say it like PREE-fiks. Prefix has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prefix. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PREE
- fiks
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prefix pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PREESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- fiksKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of prefix
American and British speakers say prefix in essentially the same way: /ˈprifɪks/ in the US and /ˈpriːfɪks/ in the UK.
British respelling: PREE-fiks.
What does prefix mean?
- A morpheme added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning, for example as, pre- in prefix, con- in conjure, re- in reheat, etc.
- A set of digits placed before a telephone number, to indicate where the number is based, what type of phone number it is (landline, mobile, toll-free, premium rate etc.)“in the UK, a number with an 0800 prefix is a toll-free number.”
- A title added to a person's name, such as Mr. or Dr.
- To determine beforehand; to set in advance.“They duly arrived at the prefixed hour.”
- To put or fix before, or at the beginning of something; to place at the start.“His requests for money were usually prefixed by an apology.”
Where does prefix come from?
Borrowed from Late Latin praefīxum, from Latin praefīxus, past participle of praefīgō (“to (fix, fasten, set up) in front”, “to fix on the (end, extremity)”) (from prae- (“before”) + fīgō (“to fix”, “to fasten”, “to affix”)), equivalent to pre- + -fix.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying prefix
How do you pronounce prefix?
Say PREE-fiks. The American pronunciation is /ˈprifɪks/. In British English it is /ˈpriːfɪks/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prefix?
Prefix has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREE). Broken into parts: PREE · fiks.
Do Americans and Brits say prefix the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈprifɪks/ and the British form is /ˈpriːfɪks/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.