Dis vs. Un: What’s the Difference?

The prefixes dis- and un- both create negative or opposite meanings, but they’re used with different types of words and often express different kinds of opposites.

Here’s the simple rule:

• Un- → means “not.”
• Dis- → means “opposite of,” “reverse,” or “apart.”

Let’s break it down.

1. Un-: Meaning “Not”

Meaning

The prefix un- means “not” or “the opposite of.”
It’s used mainly with adjectives, nouns, and past participles to show a simple negative.

Examples (10 total)

1. Unhappy – not happy.
2. Unfair – not fair.
3. Unkind – not kind.
4. Uncertain – not certain.
5. Uncomfortable – not comfortable.
6. Unusual – not usual.
7. Unclear – not clear.
8. Unwanted – not wanted.
9. Unnecessary – not necessary.
10. Unable – not able.

🧠 Tip:
If you can add not in front of the word and it still makes sense, use un-.
Example: not fair → unfair.

2. Dis-: Meaning “Opposite,” “Reverse,” or “Apart”

Meaning

The prefix dis- adds the sense of reversal, removal, or being apart.
It’s often used with verbs to show that an action is being undone or reversed.

Examples (10 total)

1. Disconnect – to separate or stop connecting.
2. Disagree – to have a different opinion.
3. Disappear – to go away or become invisible.
4. Disapprove – to think something is wrong.
5. Dislike – to not like.
6. Disobey – to not follow rules.
7. Disqualify – to make someone not allowed to compete.
8. Disorganize – to mess up order.
9. Disrespect – to not show respect.
10. Discontinue – to stop doing something.

🧠 Tip:
If the word is about doing something, and you want to express undoing or reversing it, use dis-.
Example: connect → disconnect.

3. Quick Comparison Table

4. How to Remember

👉 Un- → think “not.”
👉 Dis- → think “do the opposite.”

💡 Memory Trick:

“Un-” stops something from being true.
“Dis-” turns something in the opposite direction.

5. Common Mistakes

❌ He was dishappy about the news.
✅ He was unhappy about the news.

❌ Please unconnect the wires.
✅ Please disconnect the wires.

❌ She dislikes to be unfair.
✅ She dislikes unfair treatment.

6. Why They’re Confusing

Both prefixes show negativity, but their meanings aren’t always identical.
“Un-” just negates, while “dis-” often suggests active opposition or reversal.
AI tools like Humanizey can help detect these subtle differences to make your writing sound fluent and natural.

FAQs

1. Can “dis-” and “un-” ever mean the same thing?

Sometimes — for example, dislike and unlike both mean “not like,” but they’re used differently.

• I dislike carrots (a verb).
• This is unlike you (an adjective).

2. Are there words that take both prefixes?

Yes, but their meanings can change:

• Disorganized = messy.
• Unorganized = not structured (but less negative).

3. Can I use “un-” with verbs?

Rarely. Most verbs use “dis-.”
Examples: disconnect, disagree, disapprove.

4. Which prefix is more common?

Un- is more common overall, especially with adjectives.

Practice: Choose the Correct Prefix (“Dis-” or “Un-”)

(Answers are listed at the end.)

1. She was ___happy about the decision.
2. Please ___connect the charger before using it.
3. I completely ___agree with your point.
4. This task seems ___necessary.
5. He felt ___comfortable during the meeting.
6. The company decided to ___continue the old policy.
7. They ___like spicy food.
8. She is ___certain about her choice.
9. He was ___qualified for the competition.
10. The students who ___obeyed the rules were punished.

Answers

1. unhappy
2. disconnect
3. disagree
4. unnecessary
5. uncomfortable
6. discontinue
7. dislike
8. uncertain
9. disqualified
10. disobeyed