
August 12, 2025
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Learn moreEven though “inter-” and “intra-” sound similar, they can’t be used interchangeably. Perfect your writing by learning the difference between these two prefixes and their definitions.
In English, a prefix is a word or letter attached to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Some common prefixes include:
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Learn moreThe prefix “intra-” means “within” or “inside.” Some words with the prefix “intra-” include:
The definition of “inter-” is “between” or “among.” It’s the complete opposite of the prefix “intra-.” Some words that use the prefix “inter-” include:
Typically, words with a prefix aren’t hyphenated, meaning you don’t need to use a hyphen to connect the prefix to the root word. “Inter-” and “intra-” don’t need a hyphen when they are added to a word. For example, you should write “interdisciplinary,” not “inter-disciplinary.”
Since “inter-” and “intra-” sound so similar, it can be difficult to remember the difference between them. One way to remember the difference is by associating the “e” in “inter-” with “everyone,” since words that use “inter-” have to do with multiple people.
Another way to remember the difference between “inter-” and “intra-” is to remember the definitions of the words associated with them. For example, the word “interaction” has to do with how one acts with other people, and the word “internet” connects you online to other people. On the other hand, the word “intradermal” means “within the skin,” and “intranasal” means “inside the nose.”
If you still have trouble remembering the difference between “inter-” and “intra-,” create flashcards or practice using these words in a sentence to help solidify them in your mind.
If you’re interested in learning more about prefixes, find out what the prefix “meta-” means.
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