What is the meaning of the prefix in?

Answer 1

The prefix in- can mean "not" as in inedible, lit. not able to be eaten. Variants of -in are ig-, im-, il-, and ir-; i.e. ignominous, impossible, illegitimate, irresponsible.

English being full of surprises in- can also mean "in, up, towards, and on". (into, innate, indicate, indict)

If you want to remember this and all the prefixes that mean "not" I have a

couple of mnemonics that may be of help.

1) You're having a hell of a time trying to get your schools letters ironed on your t-shirt and don't want to be interrupted. You tell your friend Iggie, "Iggie, I'm not in until I iron on an A". (ig-, im-, (not), in-, un-, il-, ir-, non-, an-, a-)

2) in-, im- (You're a doctor.) One of your patients in the Psych Ward is going in his room and says, "I'm in." (im-, in-, nr.) Then he comes out and says, "I'm not in". Then "I'm in," again. Then "I'm not in," again. You go up towards him to see what medication this NUT is on. (not, up, towards, on)

Answer 2

Well, use the word "indestructable," for example. That means "not destructable," therefore, the prefix -in usually means "not".