Words with mis-

In today’s lesson, we will explore words that begin with the prefix mis-. Understanding this prefix will help you decode the meaning of many words and expand your vocabulary.

What does ‘mis-‘ mean?

The prefix mis- generally means badly, wrongly, or mistakenly. When added to the beginning of a word, it changes the word’s meaning to indicate something done incorrectly or in a negative way.

Examples of Words with ‘mis-‘
WordDefinition & Example
MisunderstandTo incorrectly understand something.

Example: I misunderstood the instructions and made a mistake.
MisbehaveTo behave badly or inappropriately.

Example: The children misbehaved during the movie.
MisleadTo guide someone in the wrong direction or to give them the wrong idea.

Example: The advertisement misled customers about the product’s capabilities.
MisspellTo spell a word incorrectly.

Example: I often misspell the word ‘necessary’.
MistakeAn action or judgment that is misguided or wrong.

Example: It was a mistake to go out without an umbrella.
MisfitA person whose behavior or attitude sets them apart from others in an uncomfortably conspicuous way.

Example: He always felt like a misfit at parties.
Why is this Important?

Recognizing the mis- prefix can significantly improve your reading comprehension and vocabulary. When you encounter a new word starting with mis-, you can often deduce its meaning by understanding the base word and applying the negative or incorrect connotation of the prefix.

Practice Exercise

Try to define the following words, keeping in mind the meaning of ‘mis-‘:

  • Misjudge
  • Misplace
  • Misprint
  • Misrule
Summary

Today’s class focused on the prefix ‘mis-‘ and its meaning of ‘badly, wrongly, or mistakenly.’ We explored several examples of words using this prefix and how it alters the base word’s definition. By understanding prefixes like ‘mis-‘, you can expand your vocabulary and improve your reading comprehension skills.

let’s practice!