in-

See also Appendix:Variations of "in"

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English, from Old English in- (“in, into”, prefix), from Proto-Germanic *in (“in, into”), from Proto-Indo-European *en (“in, into”). More at in.

Alternative forms

• en-

Prefix

in-

1. Prefixed to certain words to give the senses of in, into, towards, within.

   inhold, intake, inthrill

   inborn, inbound

   insight, inwork

Related terms

terms derived from in-: toward

inbound inbox inflammable

ingrown inlaid

inner input

inside inward

Translations

in, into, towards

French: in- (fr)

Italian: in- (it)

Etymology 2

From Latin in. Sometimes the Latin word has passed through French before reaching English (eg. incise, incite, incline, indication).

Prefix

in-

1. Note: Before certain letters, in- becomes:

   • il- before l, eg. illusion
   • im- before b, m, or p, eg. imperil
   • ir- before r, eg. irrigate

Etymology 3

From Latin in- (“not”). Sometimes the Latin word has passed through French before reaching English (eg. incapable, incertainty, inclement, incompatible). Compare un-.

Prefix

in-

1. (non-productive) Used with certain words to reverse their meaning

   Note: Before certain letters, in- becomes:

   • i- before gn, eg. ignoble
   • il- before l, eg. illegal
   • im- before b, m, or p, eg. improper
   • ir- before r, eg. irresistible

   1. (non-productive) Added to adjectives to mean not

      inedible

      inaccurate

   2. (non-productive) Added to nouns to mean lacking or without

      incredulity

      ineptitude

Related terms

terms derived from in-: reversing meaning

inability inaccuracy inaccurate inadmissible inanimate incapable

incredible incredulity incredulous indefinite inedible

ineffable inequitable infinite inhospitable inimitable injustice

intolerance inviolable invisible

Translations

reversal of meaning

Armenian: ան- (hy) (an-) Catalan: in- (ca) Czech: ne- (cs) French: in- (fr)

Italian: in- (it) Russian: не (ru) Spanish: in- (es)

See also

• a- (Greek)
• an-
• em-
• en-
• non-
• un-

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Catalan

Etymology

From Latin in-.

Prefix

in- (before l il-, before b, m, or p im-, before r ir-)

1. in- ; un- (reversal of meaning or lack of an attribute)

Derived terms

[+] Catalan words prefixed with in-

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Dutch

Prefix

in-

1. prepended to a noun or adjective, it reinforces the quality signified thereby
2. prepended to an adjective to negate its meaning; occurs mostly in borrowed terms from French

Derived terms

• inslag
• insensibel

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Latin

Etymology

From earlier *en-, from Proto-Indo-European *n̥-.

Particle

in-

1. not; negating particle

Usage notes

The spelling of the particle changes in some situations:

• Before b or p, it becomes im-.

  imberbis (“beardless”), from in- + barba (“beard”)

  impatiēns (“impatient”), from in- + patiēns (“patient”)

• Before l, m, or r, it becomes il-, im-, or ir-, respectively.

  illabōrātus (“unworked, uncultivated”), from in- + labōrātus (“worked, toilsome”)

  immātūrus (“immature”), from in- + mātūrus (“mature”)

  irreverēns (“irreverent”), from in- + reverēns (“reverent”)

• Before gn and sometimes n, it becomes ig-.

  ignārus (“ignorant”), from in- + gnārus (“knowlegable”)

  ignōminia (“dishonor”), from in- + nōmen (“name”)

• Before f or s, it becomes īn-.

  īnfīnītus (“endless, infinite”), from in- + fīnītus (“finite”)

  īnsānus (“mad, insane”), from in- + sānus (“healthy, sane”)

Descendants

• English: in-

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Old English

Etymology

From in (“in”). More at in

Prefix

in-

1. in, into; on, upon

   inblāwan (“to inspire, breathe upon”)

   inēodan (“to enter”)

   inēþung (“inspiration”)

2. internal, positioned on the inside, inside

   incoþu (“internal disease”)

   indryhten (“distinguished, noble, courtly, excellent”), from indryhtu (“honor, glory, nobility”)

3. (intensifying) very

   infrōd "very old, experienced, wise", from frōd "wise"

Descendants

• English in-

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Spanish

Etymology

From Latin in-

Prefix

in-

1. not (negation)