Prefix: dis-
Source: DfE, English Appendix 1: Spelling (2013) — Years 3–4 statutory prefix
Origin: Latin dis-, meaning "not," "away," or "apart"
Purpose: Guide to the prefix dis- for KS2 — meaning 'not' or 'reversal', etymology, word list with definitions, and morpheme-based practice.
What it means
dis- has three related meanings:
- Not (negation): dishonest = not honest
- Away / apart: disappear = go away, dismiss = send away
- Reversal: disagree = reverse of agreeing, disconnect = reverse of connecting
Where it comes from
dis- came into English from Latin via French after 1066. It is more formal than un- and attaches mainly to words of Latin or French origin. Where un- sounds native and everyday (unhappy, unkind), dis- sounds more academic and formal (discourage, disillusion).
Statutory examples (Appendix 1, Y3/4)
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| disagree | not agree |
| disappear | go away; cease to be visible |
| disappoint | fail to fulfil expectations |
| disobey | not obey |
| dislike | not like |
| dishonest | not honest |
| discover | uncover; find out |
| discomfort | lack of comfort |
| disconnect | break a connection |
| disqualify | remove from a competition |
The double letter trap
When dis- is added to a word beginning with s, you get double s:
- dis- + satisfy = dissatisfy
- dis- + service = disservice
- dis- + similar = dissimilar
- dis- + solve = dissolve
- dis- + suade = dissuade
But most dis- words do NOT have double s — only when the base starts with s:
- dis- + appear = disappear (one s, appear starts with a)
- dis- + obey = disobey (one s, obey starts with o)
The test: does the base word start with s? If yes → double s. If no → single s.
Morpheme matrix
| dis- | (nothing) | |
|---|---|---|
| -agree | disagree | agree |
| -appear | disappear | appear |
| -obey | disobey | obey |
| -like | dislike | like |
| -honest | dishonest | honest |
| -connect | disconnect | connect |
| -qualify | disqualify | qualify |
| -solve | dissolve | solve |
| -satisfy | dissatisfy | satisfy |
| -cover | discover | cover |
Word family
disallow · disbelieve · discard · disclose · discount · discourage · disgrace · disguise · disillusion · disinfect · dismiss · disorder · display · displace · disrupt · distance · distract · disturb
Dictation sentences
- She disappeared around the corner before anyone could disagree with her plan.
- He was disappointed and dishonest about why he had chosen to disobey.
- The team was disqualified after a disagreement about the rules.
- She began to discover that the disorder was harder to dissolve than she had thought.
- Disconnect the cable carefully — any disturbance could cause a disruption.
Source: DfE English Appendix 1: Spelling (2013). Etymology: Latin dis-, from Proto-Indo-European.