Free Year 5 Prefixes and Suffixes Worksheet
Students learn that a prefix is added to the start of a word to change its meaning (un-, re-, pre-, mis-, sub-, dis-) and a suffix is added to the end to change its job or meaning (-ful, -less, -ness, -er, -ment, -able, -ly). They work out prefix meanings, build words with suffixes, watch for spelling changes, and explain unfamiliar words by breaking them into parts. This is a powerful strategy for reading and spelling longer words.
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- Year
- Year 5
- Subject
- English
- Topic
- Vocabulary
- Difficulty
- Level 2 · Standard
- Estimated time
- 18 minutes
- Curriculum
- Australian Curriculum
- Questions
- 19
- Answers
- Included, with working
- Format
- PDF (A4) + print
Students will practise
- recognising the meaning of common prefixes
- building words with suffixes
- applying spelling changes when adding suffixes
- working out word meanings from their parts
Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.
What's next?
Completed: Prefixes and Suffixes
How to use this worksheet
- Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
- Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
- Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
- Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.
Common questions
Who is this worksheet for?
Year 5 students (typically ages 10–11) working on vocabulary. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.
Are the answers included?
Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.
How long does it take?
About 18 minutes for 19 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.
Do I need to sign up to download?
No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.
What should we do next?
Try Nobody Believed Me — Narrative Writing.
Preview
Year 5 · English · Vocabulary
Prefixes and Suffixes
Student name:
Date:
Score: /
Prefix at the front, suffix at the end. Both change the meaning of the base word.
Part A — What does the prefix mean?
A prefix is added to the front of a word and changes its meaning. Circle the meaning.
- Aagain
- Bnot
- Cbefore
- Dafter
- Aagain
- Bnot
- Cunder
- Dover
- Aafter
- Bnot
- Cbefore
- Dagain
- Aagain
- Bwrongly
- Cbefore
- Dvery
- Aabove
- Bunder
- Cbeside
- Dthrough
- Anot / the opposite of
- Bagain
- Cbefore
- Dover
Part B — Add the suffix
A suffix is added to the end of a word. Write the new word. Watch for words ending in y!
Part C — Break it apart
Use the prefix and suffix to explain what each word means.
Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.
Vocabulary in other year levels
- Precise Words: Shades of Meaning
Worksheet · Year 4 · Vocabulary · Level 2 · Standard
- Similes and Metaphors
Worksheet · Year 6 · Vocabulary · Level 2 · Standard
- Synonyms and Antonyms
Worksheet · Year 3 · Vocabulary · Level 1 · Easier
- Word Origins and Connotation
Worksheet · Year 7 · Vocabulary · Level 2 · Standard
About this resource
- Created by
- Success Tutoring
- Last reviewed
- 1 October 2026
- How it was made
- Written by our team
Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.