Word part · Latin prefix
Prefix post- words: meaning and 13 examples
In short
The Latin prefix post- (from Latin) means "after". Words with it include postwar, postgame, postseason, postdate, postdated and postscript. Post- is a time word: postwar is the time after a war.
- Part
- post-
- Meaning
- after
- Origin
- Latin
- Words listed
- 13
Post- is a time word: postwar is the time after a war. It is the partner of pre-, which means before.
Words with the Latin prefix post-
The list runs from shorter, common words to longer ones. The bands are a rough guide built from syllable count and how common each word is in our word list, not a grade-level standard. Read each word, then its word sum.
Colors:prefixroot or basesuffix
Start here: short, common words (about grades 3 and 4)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| postscript | post (prefix)+script (root or base)→postscript | a note written after the end of a letter |
| postpone | post (prefix)+pone (root or base)→postpone | put off until after; move to a later time |
More words: postponed
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| postwar | post (prefix)+war (root or base)→postwar | in the time after a war |
| postgame | post (prefix)+game (root or base)→postgame | happening after a game |
| postseason | post (prefix)+season (root or base)→postseason | games played after the regular season |
| postdate | post (prefix)+date (root or base)→postdate | put a later date on something |
| postdated | post (prefix)+date (root or base)+ed (suffix)→postdateddrop the e | marked with a later date |
| postgraduate | post (prefix)+graduate (root or base)→postgraduate | study done after a first college degree |
| posttest | post (prefix)+test (root or base)→posttest | a test given after teaching |
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| postscripts | post (prefix)+script (root or base)+s (suffix)→postscripts | more than one postscript |
| postproduction | post (prefix)+production (root or base)→postproduction | the work done on a film after it is shot |
More words: postponement
How do you teach the prefix post-?
Post- means after, and it is the easiest pair to teach with pre-. Write pregame and postgame side by side and ask what changed. Students who play sports already know the postseason. Keep the first words about time: postwar, postgame, postdate. Then show postscript, the P.S. at the bottom of a letter, which is a note written after the letter ends.
A quick routine
Draw a time line with a big dot labeled game. Say, "Pre means before, post means after." Point to the left and the student says, "Pregame." Point to the right: "Postgame." Do the same with war and season. Then dictate postscript and ask the student to tell you where a postscript goes on a letter and why the word fits.
What do students mix up with post-?
Post is also a plain word with two meanings of its own, a pole in the ground and the mail. Poster, postcard and postal come from those, not from after. Postage is paid to the post office, so it is mail too. Ask: does the word mean after something? If not, it is a different post.
Some of these words change spelling where the parts join. The spelling rules pages cover dropping e, doubling and changing y to i. For the sounds inside these words, see the phonics word lists. Routines that fit: meanings of prefixes and suffixes, circle the parts, read the base and flexible routine for big words.
Questions people ask
What does the prefix post- mean?
Post- means "after". It is a Latin prefix. Post- is a time word: postwar is the time after a war. It is the partner of pre-, which means before.
What are some words with the prefix post-?
Start with postscript, postpone and postponed. Then move to postwar, postgame, postscripts and postproduction. This page lists 13 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Is postpone built with post-?
Yes. It comes from Latin words meaning put after. When you postpone a game, you put it after the date first planned. The second part is not an English word on its own, so it is easier to teach postgame and postwar first.
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