All english word roots

list a/n not, without Greek abyss — without bottom; achromatic — without color; anhydrous — without water list a on Latin afire — on fire; ashore — on the shore; aside — on the side list a, ab/s
from, away, off Latin abduct — carry away by force; abnormal — away from normal, not normal; absent — away, not present; aversion — the act of turning away from; abbreviate: to shorten. list a/c/d to, toward, near Latin

accelerate — to increase the speed of; accessible — easily entered, approached, or obtained; admittance — allowing into;

list acro top, height, tip, beginning Greek

acrobat — a «high walker»; acronym — a word formed from the first (capital) letters of a word; acrophobia — fear of height

list act do Latin activity — something that a person does; react — to do something in response; interaction — communication between two or more things list aer/o air Greek aerate — to let air reach something; aerial — relating to the air; aerospace — the air space list agr/i/o farming Latin
Greek
agriculture — management of the land, agribusiness — making money by utilizing land; agrarian — relating to the management of land list alg/o pain Latin neuralgia — pain caused by a nerve; analgesic — a drug that makes one pain free; nostalgia — aching for the familiar list ambi, amphi both, on both sides, around Latin ambidextrous — able to use both hands equally; ambiguous — having more than one meaning; ambivalence — conflicting or opposite feelings toward a person or thing list ambul walk, move Latin amble — to walk in a slow, relaxed way; ambulant — walking or moving around; ambulance — a vehicle that moves a patient list ami/o love Latin amiable — friendly, pleasant, lovable; amity — friendly and peaceful relations; amorous — showing romantic love list ana up, back, against,
again, throughout Greek analysis — a close examination of something; anatomy — the structure of something as visible when cut up for analysis; anachronism — not being in the right place in time list andr/o man, male Greek androgynous — being both male and female; android — resembling a human; misandry — hatred towards men list anim life, spirit Latin animal — a living organism; animate — to make alive; equanimity — of balanced spirit list ann/enn year Latin anniversary — a date observed once a year; annual — happening once a year; millennium — 1,000 years list ante before, in front Latin antecede — to come before something in time; antemeridian — before noon; anteroom- a small room before the main room list anth/o flower Greek chrysanthemum and amaranth — names of flowers; anthology — a collection of treasured writings; anthozoan — half plant, half animal, like anemones and corals. list anthrop/o human Greek anthropology — the study of mankind; anthropomorphism — giving human form to non-human things; philanthropy — the love to mankind (expressed through good deeds) list anti against, opposite of Greek antibody — a substance that destroys micro-organisms; antiseptic — preventing infection; antisocial — opposing social norm list apo, apho away, off, separate Greek aphorism — a short expression of a general truth; apology — an explicit expression of regret, apostrophe — a small dash used in place of an omitted letter list aqu/a water Latin aquarium — a water container for fish; aquatic- relating to water; aqueduct — a pipeline for water list arbor tree Latin arborist — someone working with trees; arbor — a shady area formed by trees; arborous — having many trees list arch/i
chief, most important, rule Greek archbishop — the highest ranking bishop; archenemy — chief or worst enemy; matriarch — a female who rules a group; monarch — a king or queen list arch/a/i primitive, ancient Greek archaeology — the study of ancient cultures; archaic — belonging to an earlier period; archive — a collection of historical materials list arthr/o joint Latin
Greek arthroscope — a tool to see inside a joint; arthritis — inflammation of a joint; arthropod — invertebrates with jointed legs, like spiders, crustaceans, insects list art skill Latin artifact — object made by a person’s skill; artisan — a person skilled in a craft; artist — a person who creates skillfully list astro,
aster
star, stars, outer space Greek astronaut — a person traveling to the stars; astronomer — someone who studies the stars; asterisk — a star-shaped sign used as a reference tool list aud/i/io hear Latin audible — loud enough to be heard; audience — people who listen to a program; audiovisual — relating to sound and vision list auto self, same, one Greek autocrat — a person who governs with absolute power; autograph — a person’s own signature; automatic — moving by itself list avi/a bird Latin aviary — a large enclosure for birds; aviatrix — a female airplane pilot; aviation — the art of designing or operating aircraft list bar/o pressure, weight Greek baric — pertaining to pressure, esp. of the atmosphere; milliard — metric unit, equal to 1/1000th of a bar; baryon — heavy elementary particle list bell/i war Latin bellicose — warlike; belligerent — hostile, ready to fight; rebel — person who opposes and fights list bene good, well Latin benefactor — person who gives money to a cause; beneficial — producing a good effect; benevolent — showing kindness or goodwill list bi/n two, twice, once in every two Latin biannual — happening twice a year; binoculars — optical device with two lenses; bilateral — of or involving two sides list bibli/o book Greek bibliography — a list of books used as sources; bibliomania — an extreme love of books; bibliophile — a person who loves books list bio life, living matter Greek biography- a life story written by another person; biology — the science of life; biosphere — Earth’s surface inhabited by living things list blast/o cell, primitive, immature cell Greek blastula — an early stage of embryonic development; fibroblast — a cell that forms connective tissue; blastoderm — the layer surrounding the inside of an egg list burs pouch, purse Latin bursar- an administrative officer in charge of funds; bursary- the treasury of a college or monastery; disburse- to expend especially from a public fund list calc stone Latin calcite; calcium- the flame of acetylene gas generated by reaction of calcium carbide with water; calcification- impregnation with calcareous matter list cand glowing, iridescent Latin candid- free from bias, prejudice, or malice; candle- something that gives light; incandescent- white, glowing, or luminous with intense heat list capt, cept, ceive take, hold Latin intercept — to stop or interrupt;

perceive — to take notice of something; captivating — taking hold of

list cardi/o heart Greek cardiac — relating to the heart; cardiogenic — resulting from heart disease; cardiologist — a heart doctor list carn/i flesh, meat Latin carnivorous — flesh-eating; carnal — pertaining to the body or flesh; incarnate — given bodily form list cata down, against
completely, intensive,
according to Greek cataclysm — a flood or other disaster, catalog — a complete listing; catastrophe — turning for the worst, a substantial disaster list caust,
caut
to burn Latin
Greek

cauterize — to burn with a hot instrument; caustic — capable of burning or eating away; holocaust — total devastation, especially by fire

list cede,
ceed,
cess
go, yield Latin

exceed — to go beyond the limits; recede — to go back; accessible — easily entered, approached, or obtained;

list celer fast Latin accelerate — to increase the speed of; decelerate — to reduce the speed of list cent/i hundred, hundredth Latin centennial- the 100th anniversary; centimeter — 1/100 of a meter; century — 100 years list centr/o/i center Greek egocentric — self-centered; eccentric — not having a common center, not according to norm; centrifugal — moving outward from a center list cephal/o head Greek encephalitis — inflammation of the brain; cephalic — pertaining to the head; cephalopod — marine mollusks like octopus and squid who have tentacles growing from their head list cerebr/o brain Latin cerebral — pertaining to the brain; cerebrate — to use the brain; cerebrospinal — pertaining to the brain and the spinal cord list cert sure Latin ascertain- to find out something with certainty; certain — being absolutely sure; certify — to state that something is true list chrom/o chromat/o, chros color, pigment Greek achromatic — without color; chromium — a blue-white metallic chemical element, chromatics — the study of color list chron/o time Greek chronic — lasting for a long time; chronological — arranging events in time order, synchronize — happening at the same time list chrys/o gold, yellow Greek chrysanthemum and helichrysum — golden/yellow flowers; chrysolite — a yellowish gem list cide, cise cut, kill Latin homicide — murder; incisor — a sharp tooth for cutting food; insecticide — a chemical used to kill insects list circum,
circle
around, about Latin circumnavigate — to sail around; circumscribe — to draw around; circumspect — looking around list claim, clam shout, speak out Latin clamor — to shout and make noise; exclaim — to cry out loudly and suddenly; proclamation — something announced officially in public list clar clear Latin clarification — an explanation; clarify — to make something clear; declare — to state something clearly list clud, clus close Latin conclusion — the end or last part; exclusion — shutting out, rejecting; seclude — to keep away from; to isolate list cline lean Latin inclination — a leaning toward; incline — a surface that slopes or leans; recline — to lean back and relax list co with, together, joint Latin coauthor — writer who collaborates with another author; coeducation — educating males and females together; cohousing — planning your neighborhood in an intentional neighborly fashion list col together, jointly Latin Collaborate — to work together; collision — smashing together; colloquial — words formed by everday interaction list com together, common Latin commemorate — to memorize together; composition — an arrangement or putting together of parts; commune — living together while owning things in common list cogn/i know Latin cognition — process of acquiring knowledge; incognito — disguised so no one knows you; recognize — to discover that one knows list con with, jointly Latin concur — to agree with someone; contemporary — of the same time period as others; convention — a gathering of people with a common interest list contra/o against, opposite Latin contradict to argue against, Contraflow, contraception, contrary not in agreement, controversy disagreement list corp/o body Latin corporation — a company recognized by law as a single body; corpse — a dead body; corporal — pertaining to the body list cosm/o universe Greek cosmonaut — a Russian astronaut; cosmos — the universe; microcosm — a miniature universe list counter opposite, contrary, opposing counteract — to oppose the effects of an action; countermand — to cancel a previous order; counteroffensive — attack against an attack list cranio skull Greek craniology — the study of skull characteristics; cranium — skull of vertebrates; cranial — pertaining to the skull list cred believe Latin credence — belief that something is true or valid; credulous — believing things too easily, gullible; incredible — unbelievable list cruc cross Latin crucial-characteristic of or having the form of a cross ; crucifix- the cross itself as a Christian emblem; excruciating-  so intense as to cause great pain or anguish list crypto hidden, secret Greek cryptic — of hidden meaning; cryptography — science of secret codes; encrypt — encode into secret code list cumul mass, heap Latin accumulate — to gather or pile up; cumulative — gradually building up list curr, curs run Latin concurrent- running parallel; current- flowing easily and smoothly; cursive- having a flowing, easy, impromptu character list cycl circle, ring Greek bicycle — a vehicle with two wheels; cycle — a sequence that is repeated; cyclone — a storm with circling winds list de reduce, away, down, remove Latin decelerate — to slow down, reduce speed; dethrone — to remove from power; debug — to remove bugs list dec/a,
deka
ten Greek decade — 10 years; decathlon — athletic contest that includes 10 disciplines in which each participant competes; December — formerly the 10th month of the Roman calendar list deci one tenth Latin deciliter — a tenth of a liter; decimate — reduce dramatically; decibel — one tenth of the sound volume unit bel list dem/o people Greek democracy — government of the people; demographic — the study of people; epidemic — spreading among people in a region list demi half, less than Latin demitasse — a small cup of coffee; demimonde — someone of little respected life style list dendr/o/i tree Greek philodendron — a climbing plant that grows on trees; dendrochronology — dating events by studying growth rings in trees; dendriform — in the shape of a tree list dent, dont tooth Latin dental — relating to teeth; dentist — a doctor for the teeth; dentures — a set of false teeth list derm/a skin Greek dermatologist — a doctor for the skin; pachyderm — a class of animals with very thick skin (elephant, rhinoceros); dermatitis — inflammation of the skin list di/plo two, twice Greek dichromatic — displaying two colors; diploma — a certificate, literally «a letter folded double»; dilemma — a situation that requires a choice between two alternatives. list di/s apart, away,
not, to the opposite Latin digression — a departure from the main issue, subject; disappear — to move out of sight; dissect — to cut apart piece by piece. list dia through, between,
apart, across Greek diabetes — disease characterized by excessive thirst and discharge of urine; diagnosis — understanding a condition by going through a detailed review of symptoms; dialog — conversation between two people. list dict speak Latin contradict — to express the opposite of; prediction — a statement foretelling the future; dictate — to speak out loud for another person to write down. list domin master Latin dominate — to be the master of; domineering — excessively controlling; predominate — to have more power than others list don/at give Latin donation — a contribution or gift; donor — someone who gives something; pardon — to give forgiveness for an offense list duc/t lead Latin conduct — to lead musicians in playing music; educate — to lead to knowledge; deduction — a subtraction of an amount. list du/o two, twice Latin duplicate — make an identical copy; duet — a musical composition for two voices or instruments; duo — a pair normally thought of as being together. list dur harden, to last, lasting Latin durable — having the quality of lasting; duration — the length of time something lasts; enduring — able to last. list dyn/a/am power, energy, strength Greek dynamo — a generator of energy; dynamic — having physical energy/power; dynamite — a powerful explosive. list dys abnormal, bad Greek dyspepsia — abnormal digestion; dystopia — an imaginary place of total misery; dyslexia — impairment of the ability to handle words. list e- out, away Latin eloquent — speaking beautifully and forcefully; emissary — a representative of a country or group sent on a mission; eject — throw out forcefully. list ego self Latin
Greek egoistic — self-centered; alter ego — a higher aspect of oneself; egomania — excessive preoccupation with oneself. list em, en into, cover with, cause empathy — intention to feel like another person; empower — put into power; engorge — make larger. list endo within, inside Greek endotherm — a creature that can keep its inside temperature fairly constant; endocrine — relating to glands that secrete directly into the blood or lymph; endogamy — the custom to marry within one’s clan, tribe etc. list enn/i, anni years Latin bicentennial — of or relating to an age or period of 200 years; centennial — of or relating to an age or period of 100 years; perennial -lasting through many years. list en, in inside, inwards Latin envision — to picture in the mind; enclose — lock inside; inwards — towards the inside. list ep/i on, upon, over,
among, at, after,
to, outside Greek epidemic — the rapid spread of something negative; epilogue — a short speech delivered after a play; epicenter — the center of an earthquake. list equ/i equal, equally Latin equidistant — an equal distance from two points; equanimity — calm temperament, evenness of temper; equation — a statement of equality. list erg/o work Greek ergonomics — study of the working environment; energy — the power to accomplish work; energetics — science that looks at energy and its transformation. list esth/aesth feeling, sensation, beauty Latin esthetician — someone who beautifies; aesthetic — pertaining to a sense of beauty; kinesthesia — the sensation of bodily movement. list ethno race, people Greek ethnic — pertaining to a defined group of people; ethnocentric — focusing on the ethnicity of people; ethnology — the science of people and races. list eu good, well Greek euphemism — replacing an offensive word with an inoffensive one; euphonious — having a pleasant sound; euphoria — feeling of well-being. list ex from, out, Latin excavate — to dig out; exhale — to breathe out; extract — to pull out. list extra, extro outside, beyond Latin extraordinary — beyond ordinary; extraterrestrial — outside the Earth; extrovert — an outgoing person. list fac/t make, do Latin artifact — an object made by a person; factory — a place where things are made; malefact — a person who does wrong. list fer bear, bring, carry Latin confer — to bring an honor to someone; ferry — a boat that carries passengers; transfer — to move to another place. list fid faith Latin confide — place trust in someone, fidelity — faithfulness; fiduciary — a trustee; list flect bend Latin deflect — to bend course because of hitting something; inflection — a bending in the voice’s tone or pitch; flexible — easily bending. list flor/a,
fleur
flower Latin florist — someone working with flowers; floral — flowerlike; flora — the plant life of a particular time or area list for completely (used to intensify
the meaning of a word) forsaken or forfeited — completely lost; forgiven — completely given (a release of debt). list fore in front of, previous, earlier forebear — ancestor; forebode — to give an advance warning of something bad; forecast — a preview of events to be. list form shape Latin conformity- correspondence in form, manner, or character; formation- something that is formed; reformatory- intended for reformation list fract, frag break Latin fracture — a break; fragile — easy to break; fragment or fraction — a part or element of a larger whole; list fug flee, run away, escape Latin fugitive — a person who is running away; refuge — a sheltered place to flee to; refugee — a person seeking protection list funct perform, work Latin defunct — no longer working or alive; function — to work or perform a role normally; malfunction — to fail to work correctly. list fus pour Latin confusion — being flooded with too much information that is hard to make sense of; fuse — to melt by heating; infuse — to put into. list gastr/o stomach Greek gastric — pertaining to the stomach; gastronomy — serving the stomach by providing good food; gastritis — inflammation of the stomach. list gen/o/e/
genesis
birth, production,
formation, kind Greek genealogy — the study of the history of a family; generation — all the people born at approximately the same time; genetic -relating to heredity encoded in the genes. list geo earth, soil, global Greek geography — study of the earth’s surface; geology — study of the structure of the earth; geoponics — soil based agriculture. list ger old age Greek geriatrics — medicine pertaining to the elderly; gerontocracy — the rule of the elders; gerontology — the science of aging. list giga a billion Greek gigabyte — unit of computer storage space; gigahertz — unit of frequency (one billion Hz/sec); gigawatt unit of electric power (one billion watts). list gon angle Latin
Greek decagon — a polygon with 10 angles; diagonal — a slanting line running across a space; octagon — a geometrical figure with 8 angles. list gram letter, written Greek diagram — a simple drawing; grammar — rules of how to write words in sentences; telegram — a message sent by telegraph. list gran grain Latin granary- a storehouse or repository for grain especially after it is threshed or husked; granola- a mixture of rolled oats and other ingredients; granule- a little grain (as of sugar) list graph/y writing, recording, written Greek Graphology — the study of handwritings; autograph — written with one’s own hand; seismograph — a machine noting strength and duration of earthquakes. list grat pleasing Latin gratify — to please someone; grateful — feeling thankful; gratuity — a tip, token of appreciation. list gyn/o/e woman, female Greek gynecology — the science of female reproductive health; gynephobia — fear of women; gynecoid — resembling a woman. list gress, grad/e/i to step, to go Latin digression — a departure from the main issue, subject, etc.; progress — movement forward or onward; gradual — step by step. list hect/o, hecat hundred Greek hectoliter — 100 liters; hectare — metric unit equaling 100 ares or 10,000 square meters; hectometer — 100 meters. list helic/o spiral, circular Greek helicopter — an aircraft with horizontal rotating wing; helix — a spiral form; helicon — a circular tuba. list heli/o sun Greek heliotropism — movement or growth in relating to the sun; heliograph — apparatus used to send message with the help of sunlight; helianthus — genus of plants including sunflowers. list hemi half, partial Greek hemicycle — a semicircular structure; hemisphere — one half of the earth; hemistich — half a line of poetry. list hem/o/a blood Latin
Greek hemorrhage — clotting of the blood; hemorrhoids — swelling of the blood vessels; hemoglobin — red blood particle. list hepa liver Latin hepatitis — inflammation of the liver; hepatoma — a tumor of the liver; hepatotoxic — toxic and damaging to the liver. list hept/a seven Greek heptagon — a shape with seven angles and seven sides; Heptateuch — the first seven books of the Old Testament; heptameter — a line of verse consisting of seven metrical feet. list herbi grass, plant Latin herbicide — any chemical used to kill unwanted plants, etc.; herbivorous — plant-eating; herbal — relating to plants. list hetero different, other Greek heterogeneous — made up of unrelated parts; heteronyms — words with same spelling but different meanings; heterodox — not conforming to traditional beliefs. list hex/a six Greek hexagon — a shape with six angles/sides; hexameter — a verse measured in six; hexapod — having six legs. list histo tissue Greek histology — study of the microscopic structure of tissues; histochemistry — study of the chemical constitution of cells and tissues. list homo,
homeo
like, alike, same Latin
Greek homogeneous — of the same nature or kind; homonym — sounding alike; homeopath — a therapy that is based on treating «same with same» list hydr/o liquid, water Greek hydrate — to add water to; hydrophobia — intense fear of water; hydroponics — growing plants in liquid nutrient solution; hydraulic — operated by force created by a liquid. list hygr/o moisture, humidity Greek hygrometer — tool used to measure humidity; hygrograph — instrument for recording variations in atmospheric humidity. list hyper too much, over,
excessive, beyond Latin
Greek hyperactive — very restless; hypercritical — too critical; hypertension — above normal pressure. list hyp/o under Greek hypoglycemia — an abnormally low level of sugar in the blood; hypothermia — abnormally low body temperature; hypothesis — a theory that is unproven but used under the assumption that it is true. list iatr/o medical care Greek geriatrics — medical care of the elderly; pediatrician — a doctor who treats children; podiatry — medical care for feet. list icon/o image Latin
Greek icon — an (often religious) image, in modern usage a simplified graphic of high symbolic content; iconology — science of symbols and icons; iconoclast — someone who destroys religious images and traditional beliefs. list idio peculiar, personal, distinct Greek idiomatic — Peculiar to a particular language; idiosyncracy — a physical or mental characteristic typical or a particular person; idiot — someone who is distinctly foolish or stupid. list il, in in, into Latin illuminate — to give light to; innovation — a new idea, method, or device; inspection — the act of examining or reviewing. list ig, il, im,
in, ir
not, without Latin illegal — not legal; impossible — not possible; inappropriate — not appropriate; irresponsible — not responsible. list imag likeness Latin image — a likeness of someone; imaginative — able to think up new ideas or images; imagine — to form a picture or likeness in the mind. list infra beneath, below Latin infrastructure — underlying framework of a system; infrared — below the regular light spectrum. list inter between, among, jointly Latin international — involving two or more countries; intersection — place where roads come together; intercept — to stop or interrupt the course of. list intra,
intro
within, inside Latin intrastate — existing in one state; intravenous — inside or into a vein; introvert — shy person who keeps within him/herself. list ir not Latin irredeemable — not redeemable; irreformable — not reformable; irrational — not rational. list iso equal isobar — a line on a map connecting points of equal barometric pressure; isometric — having equality of measure; isothermal — having equal or constant temperature. list ject throw Latin eject — to throw someone/something out; interject — to throw a remark into a discussion; project — to cast or throw something. list jud law Latin judgment — a decision of a court of law; judicial — having to do with judges or courts of law; judiciary — a system of courts of law. list junct join Latin conjunction — a word that joins parts of sentences; disjunction — a disconnection; junction — a place where two things join. list juven young Latin juvenile — youthful or childish; rejuvenate — to bring back to youthful strength or appearance. list kilo thousand Greek kilobyte — 1,000 bytes; kilometer — 1,000 meter; kilograms — 1,000 grams. list kine/t
/mat
motion, division Greek kinetics — study of the force of motion; psychokinesis or telekinesis — the ability to move objects with your mind; cinematography — motion picture making. list lab work Latin collaborate — to work with a person; elaborate — to work out the details; laborious — requiring a lot of hard work. list lact/o milk Latin lactate — to give milk, nurse; lactose — the sugar contained in milk; lactic acid. list later side Latin bilateral — of or involving two sides; unilateral — affecting one side of something. list leuk/o,
leuc/o
white, colorless Greek leukemia — abnormal increase of white blood cells in the blood; leukocyte — a mature white blood cell; leucine — a white, crystalline amino acid. list lex word, law, reading Greek lexicology — the study and history of words; alexia -loss of the ability to read; illegal — not authorized by the official rules or laws. list liber free Latin liberate — to set free; libertine — a person with a free, wild lifestyle; liberty — freedom. list lingu language, tongue Latin linguist — one who studies languages; multilingual — able to communicate in multiple languages; linguine — long, flat «tongue-shaped» pasta. list lip/o fat Greek liposuction — the mechanical removal of fat reserves in the tissue; lipase — enzyme that breaks down fat; lipoid — resembling fat. list lite, ite,
lith/o
mineral, rock, fossil Greek apatite — a group of common minerals; granite — a hard, granular rock; monolith — a remarkable, unique stone. list loc place Latin dislocate — to put something out of its usual place; location — a place; relocate — to move to a new place. list log/o word, doctrine, discourse Greek logic — correct reasoning; monologue — a long speech by one speaker;analogy — similarity, especially between things otherwise dissimilar. list loqu, locu speak Latin eloquent — speaking beautifully and forcefully ; loquacious — very talkative; elocution — art of public speaking. list luc light Latin elucidate — to explain, to throw light on; lucid — easily understood, giving off light; translucent — allowing light through. list lud, lus to play Latin prelude — introduction to the major performance; illusion — misleading optical image or impression; delude — to mislead, deceive. list lumin light Latin illuminate — to fill with light; lumen — unit measuring light. list lun/a/i moon Latin lunar — relating to the moon; lunarscape — the surface of the moon; lunatic — insane (as if driven mad by the moon). list macro large, great Greek macroevolution — large scale evolution; macromolecule — a large molecule; macroeconomics — study of the overall forces of economy. list magn/a/i great, large Latin magnify — make larger; magnificent — grand; magnate — a powerful person, especially in business or industry. list mal/e bad, ill, wrong Latin malcontent — wrong content; malaria — «bad air», infectious disease thought to originate from the «bad air» of the swamps, but caused by the bite of an infected mosquito; malicious — showing strong ill will. list man/i/u hand Latin maneuver — to move by hand; manual — done with the hands; manuscript — a book written by hand. list mand to order Latin command — an order or instruction; demand — a hard-to-ignore order; mandate — an official order. list mania madness, insanity,
excessive desire Greek bibliomania — a crazy love of books; egomania — a mad love of oneself; maniac an insane person. list mar/i sea Latin

marina — a harbor for pleasure boats; maritime — relating to the sea; submarine — an undersea boat; aquamarine — color of sea water.

list mater,
matr/i
mother Latin maternal — relating to motherhood; maternity — the state of being a mother; matriarch — a woman head of a household. list max greatest Latin maximal — the best or greatest possible; maximize — to make as great as possible; maximum — the greatest amount. list medi middle Latin medieval — pertaining to the Middle Ages; medium — in the middle; mediocre — only of medium (inferior) quality. list mega great, large, million Greek megalopolis — an area with many nearby cities; megaphone — a device that projects a loud voice; megastructure — huge building or other structure. list melan/o black Greek melancholy — a state of dark emotions; melanoma — malignant dark tumor of the skin; melodrama — a dark, pathetic drama. list memor/i remember Latin commemorate — to honor the memory of, as by a ceremony; memorial — related to remembering a person or event; memory: an ability to retain knowledge or an individual’s stock of retained knowledge. list merge,
mers
dip, dive Latin immerge or immerse — to put or dip something into a liquid; submerge to dip something completely into wate.r list meso middle Latin
Greek Mesoamerica — Middle America; meson — elementary particle with a mass between an electron and a proton. list meta change, after, beyond, between Greek metaphysics — study of nature and reality; metamorphosis — a complete change of form; metastasis — the transmission of disease to other parts of the body. list meter,
metr/y
measure Greek audiometer- an instrument that measures hearing acuteness; chronometer- an instrument that measures time; metric — measured. list micro very small, short, minute Greek microbe — a very small living thing; microchip — a tiny wafer with an integrated circuit; microscope — a device to see very small things. list mid middle Latin
Greek midriff — the area between the chest and the waist; midterm — middle of a term in school; midway — halfway between. list migr move Latin immigrant — a person who moves to a new country to settle; migrant — person who moves from place to place; migration — the process of moving. list milli onethousandth Latin millimeter — one thousandth of a meter; millibar — one thousandth of a bar; milliliter — one thousandth of a liter. list min/i small, less Latin mini — something that is very small; minuscule — extremely tiny; minutiae — very small or trivial details. list mis/o bad, badly, wrong, wrongly,
to hate Greek misbehave — to behave badly; misprint — an error in printing; misnomer — an error in naming a person or thing. list miss, mit send, let go Latin dismiss — to send someone away; missile — a weapon sent into the air; emit — to send something out; admittance — entry. list mob move Latin immobilize — to stop from moving; mobile — able to move freely; mobility — the quality of being able to move. list mon/o one, single, alone Greek monochromat — having one color; monologue — a speech spoken by one person; monotheism — belief in one god. list mot, mov move Latin motion — the act of moving; motivate — to move someone to action; promote to move someone forward; removable — able to be taken or carried away. list morph/o form Greek metamorphosis — complete change of form; endorphins — chemical in the brain able to transform pain; amorphous — without distinct shape or form. list mort death Latin immortal — living forever, unable to die; mortal — certain to die; mortician — an undertaker. list multi many, more than one or two Latin multicolored — having many colors; multimedia — using a range of media; multitasking — doing many things at once. list mut change Latin immutable — not changing; mutant — an organism that has undergone change; mutate — to undergo a change. list my/o muscle Latin myocardium — the middle muscle of the heart; myasthenia — muscle fatigue or weakness; myosin — common protein in muscle tissue. list narr tell Latin narrate — to tell a story; narrative — a story; narrator — a person who tells a story. list nat born Latin innate — included since birth; natal — relating to birth; natural — gotten at birth, not afterward. list nav ship Latin circumnavigate — to sail around a place; naval — relating to a navy or warships; navigate — to sail a ship through a place. list necr/o dead, death Greek necrophil — loving death; necrosis — the death of tissue due to disease or injury; necrology — a list of persons who have recently died. list neg no Latin negate — to say it didn’t happen; negative — meaning «no»; renege — to go back on a promise. list neo new, recent neoclassic — a revival of classic form, neocolonialism — the indirect («new») economical and political control of a region by a more powerful foreign power; neonatal — a newborn child, especially the first few weeks. list nephr/o kidney Greek nephritis — inflammation of the kidneys; nephrotomy — surgical incision of a kidney; nephron — a single, excretory unit in the kidney. list neur/o nerve Greek neuralgia — pain along a nerve; neurologist — doctor specializing in the nerves; neurotic — mental disorder that usually does not include an impaired perception of reality. list nom/in name Latin misnomer — an error in naming a person or thing; nominal — being something in name only but not in reality; nominate — to name for election or appointment, to designate. list non no, not, without Latin nondescript — with no special characteristics; nonfiction — true, real, not made-up; nonsense — without sense. list not mark Latin notable — marked as worthy of attention; notarize — to certify a signature on a legal document; annotate — to add remarks. list noun,
nunc
declare Latin announce — to declare in public; denounce — to proclaim harsh criticism; enunciate — to speak or declare something clearly. list nov new Latin innovate — to introduce a new way; novelty — something new; novice — a person who is new at a job; renovate — to make something like new again. list numer number Latin enumerate — to name a number of items on a list; numerology — the study of magical uses of numbers; numerous — a large number. list ob, op in the way, against Latin object — to be against something; obscure — hard to understand; opposition — the act of resistance or action against. list oct/a/o eight Greek octagon — a figure with 8 sides and 8 angles; octogenarian — person in his or her 80s; octopus — sea animal with 8 arms. list ocu eye Latin binoculars — lens device for seeing distances; monocula — relating to one eye; oculist — an eye doctor. list od path, way Greek diode —  an electron tube having two electrodes, a cathode and an anode; odometer —  an instrument attached to a vehicle to measure the distance traversed; triode — an electron tube with an anode, a cathode, and a control grid list odor  smell, scent Latin deodorant — a substance that helps prevent body odor; malodorous — having a terribly bad smell; odoriferous- something that bears or diffuses a scent
list omni all Latin omnipotent — with all the power; omniscient — knowing all things; omnivorous eating all foods. list op/t/s eye, visual condition, sight Greek optic — relating to the eyes; optician — a person who fits eyeglasses; autopsy — the examination of a dead body. list opt best Latin optimal — the best, the most desirable; optimize — to make the best of; optimum — the best something could be. list ortho straight Greek orthodontist — a dentist that straightens teeth; orthopedic — a doctor concerned with the proper alignment of the bones; orthography — the correct way of writing. list osteo bone Greek osteoarthritis — inflammation caused by degeneration of the joints; osteopathy — therapy that uses among others manipulation of the skeleton to restore health; osteology — the study of bones. list out goes beyond,
surpasses, exceeds Outgoing — being of lively, sharing nature; outdoing — doing better than; outdoor — outside. list over excessive English overconfident — more confident than is appropriate; overstock — more supplies than is desirable; overexcited — ,more excited than one should be. list oxi/oxy sharp Greek oxymoron — combining two ideas that sharply contradict each other; oxidize — corrode a surface. list pale/o ancient Greek paleontology — study of ancient fossils; paleography — the study of ancient forms of writing; Paleolithic — period of the Stone Age. list pan all, any, everyone Greek panacea — a cure for all diseases or problems; panorama — an all-around view; pantheism — the worship of all gods; pandemic — affecting all. list para beside, beyond, abnormal,
assistant Greek parasite — an organism that lives on and off another living being; parallel — alongside and always an equal distance apart; paragraph — a portion of a writtenn document that presents a distinct idea. list para protection from parachute — protection from falling; parasol — an umbrella used to protect from the sun; list pater,
patr/i
father Latin
Greek paternal — relating to fathers; paternity — fatherhood; patriarch — a man who rules a group. list path feeling, emotion antipathy — a feeling of great dislike; apathy — a lack of feeling or interest; empathy — ability to understand another’s feelings. list ped/i/e foot, feet Latin pedal — a lever pushed by the foot; pedestrian — one who walks; pedicure — cosmetic treatment of feet and toes. list pel drive, force Latin compel — to force someone to act; expel — to drive someone out of a place; repel — to force back. list pent/a five Greek pentagon — shape having 5 angles and 5 sides, pentagram — a five-pointed star formerly used as a symbolic figure in magic; pentathlon — an athletic contest that includes five events. list pept,
peps
digestion Greek dyspepsia — abnormal digestion; peptic — aiding digestion; pepsin — a digestive enzyme. list per through, throughout Latin permanent — lasting throughout all time; permeate — to spread throughout; persist — to continue for a long time; perennial — lasting through many years. list peri around, enclosing Greek periodontal — pertaining to bone and tissue around a tooth; peripheral — lying outside of the center; perimeter — the outer boundary of an area. list phag/e to eat Greek esophagus — muscular tube that carries food to the stomach; anthropophagy or sarcophagy — cannibalism; xylophagous — feeding on wood. list phil/o love, friend Greek philanthropist — one who loves humanity; philology — the love of words; philosophy — the love of wisdom; bibliophil — loving books. list phon/o
/e/y
sound Greek cacophony — loud, unpleasant sounds; microphone — a device that records and amplifies sound; phonetic — relating to human speech sounds. list phot/o light Greek photogenic — caused by light; photograph — image made on light-sensitive film; photon — the smallest possible unit of light. list phyll/o leaf Greek chlorophyll — a group of green pigments found in leaves; phyllotaxis — the arrangement of leaves on a stem; phyllite — a rock that forms sheets, similar to slate. list phys nature, medicine, the body Greek physical — relating to the body; physician — a doctor; physique — nature and shape of one’s body. list phyt/o/e plant, to grow Greek epiphyte — a plant growing independently on the surface of another; hydrophyte — a plant that grows only in water; neophyte — a beginner, especially a person recently converted to a new belief. list plas/t/m to form, development,
forming cells Greek protoplasm — something that is the first made or formed, also the living portion of a cell; plastic — able to be formed, especially when warm; plaster — a mixture of lime, sand and water that forms a smooth solid covering for walls. list plaud, plod, plaus, plos approve, clap Latin applaud- to show approval of especially by clapping the hands; explosion- an act of exposing something as invalid or baseless; plausible- worthy of being applauded list pneum/o breathing, lung, air, spirit Greek pneumonia — inflammation of the lungs; pneumatic — using the force of air; dyspnea — difficulty breathing. list pod/e foot Greek podiatrist — a doctor for the feet; podium — a small platform to stand on; tripod — a stand or frame with 3 legs. list poli city Greek metropolis — a large city; police — people who work for the government to maintain order in a city; politics — actions of a government or political party. list poly many, more than one Greek polychrome — with many colors; polyglot — a person fluent in many languages; polygon — shape with 3 or more straight sides. list pon place, put Latin opponent — a person who places him/herself against an action, idea, etc.; postpone — to put off doing something. list pop people Latin popular — appealing to a lot of people; population — all of the people who live in a particular area; populist — a supporter of the rights of people. list port carry Latin export — to carry goods out of a place to another; portable — able to be carried; porter — a person who carries luggage. list pos place, put Latin deposit — to place or drop something; expose to place out into the open for all to see; position — the place where someone is. list post after, behind Latin posthumous — after someone’s death; postpone — to delay something; postscript — an addition to an already completed document. list pre earlier, before, in front of Latin preamble — a part in front of a formal document; prepare — to get ready in advance; prediction — a statement foretelling the future. list pro before, in front of,
for, forward Greek
Latin prognosis — a prediction of what will happen; prologue — a passage before the main part; prophet — a person who foretells the future. list prot/o primitive, first, chief Greek prototype — the first of a kind; proton — on of the very basic parts of an atom; protocol — a first draft from which a document is prepared. list pseud/o wrong,false Greek pseudonym — a fictitious name; pseudoscience — theories presumed without proof of a scientific nature; pseudopregnancy — a false pregnancy. list psych/o mind, mental Greek psyche — the human spirit or soul; psychic — relating to the human mind or someone who has supernatural mental abilities; psychology — the study of the mind. list pugn/a,
pung
to fight Latin pugnacious — having a quarrelsome or aggressive nature; repugnant — distasteful, offensive or revolting; pungent — piercing. list pul urge compulsion — a very strong urge; expulsion — to someone out; impulsive — having a spontaneous urge to do something. list purg clean Latin purge — remove anything undesirable; purgatory — according to Roman Catholics a place where souls must clean themselves of sin; expurgate — remove objectionable passages from a publication. list put think Latin computer — an electronic thinking device; dispute — to disagree with what another person thinks; input — contribution of one’s thinking. list pyr/o fire, heat Greek pyrotechnics — the art of making fireworks; pyrometer — a thermometer for measuring high temperature; pyretic — relating to or producing fever. list quad/r/ri four Latin quadrant — open space with buildings on 4 sides; quadrennium — period of 4 years; quadruped — a 4-footed animal. list quart fourth Latin quarter — one fourth; quart — a fourth of a gallon; quartet — a musical composition or group involving 4 voices or instruments. list quin/t five, fifth Latin quintett — a composition for 5 voices or instruments; quintessence — pure essence, based on the ancient philosophy that there was a fifth element that was present in all things; quintuple — fivefold. list radic,
radix
root Latin eradicate — pull out at the roots; radical — fundamental, looking at things from a drastic point of view; radish — an edible root of the mustard family. list radio radiation, ray radioactive — emitting radiation; radiologist — someone diagnosing or treating via radiation. list ram/i branch Latin ramification — the resulting consequence of a decision; ramify — to spread or branch out; ramus — a branchlike part. list re again, back, backward Latin rebound -to spring back again; rewind — to wind something backward; reaction: a response; recognize: to identify someone or something seen before. list reg guide, rule Latin regent — a person who rules on behalf of a king or queen; regime — a government that rules; regulate — to apply a rule. list retro backward, back Latin retroactive — relating to something in the past; retrogress — to go back to an earlier condition; retrospect — the remembering of past events. list rhin/o nose Greek rhinoceros — a species of animals with a big horn on the snout; rhinoplasty — surgery of the nose; rhinovirus — viruses that are causing the common cold. list rhod/o red Greek rhododendron — a flower with red/pink flowers; rhodium — an element which produces a red solution; rhodopsin — a purple pigment in the retina that is needed for vision. list rid laugh Latin deride — to make fun of someone; ridicule — to make fun or mock; ridiculous — silly, causing laughter. list rrh/ea
/oea/ag
flow, discharge Latin
Greek diarrhea — abnormally excessive bowl movement; hemorrhage — heavy blood flow; catarrh — inflammation of a mucous membrane, especially the nose and throat. list rub red Latin ruby — deep red color and a precious stone of the same color; rubella — measles; bilirubin — reddish pigment in bile. list rupt break, burst Latin bankrupt — unable to pay because you’re «broke»; interrupt — to break into a conversation or event, to disturb; rupture — a break in something. list san health Latin sane — mentally healthy; sanitary — relating to cleanliness and health; sanitation — maintenance of public health and cleanliness. list scend climb, go Latin ascend — to climb upward; crescendo — a climbing up of the volume of music; descend — to go or climb down. list sci know Latin conscience — sense of knowing right from wrong; conscious — knowing what is happening; omniscient — knowing everything. list scler/o hard Greek arteriosclerosis — hardening of the arterial walls; multiple sclerosis — disease which causes the tissue of the brain and spinal cord to harden; sclerometer — instrument for measuring hardness. list scop/e/y see, examine, observe Greek microscope — a device used to see tiny things; periscope — a seeing instrument on a submarine; telescope — a device used to see over a distance. list scrib,
script
write, written Latin inscribe — to write letters or words on a surface; scribe — a person who writes out documents; describe — to represent with words or pictures. list se apart Latin secede — to formally break away from; seclude — to keep away from; serum — a liquid isolated out of another. list sect cut Latin dissect — to cut apart piece by piece; intersection — the place or point where two things cross each other; bisect — to cut into two equal parts. list sed, sid, sess sit Latin reside- be stationed; sediment- the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid; session- an actual or constructive sitting of a body list self of, for, or by itself self-discipline — the ability to discipline yourself; self-respect — respect for yourself; selfish concerned only with your own interests. list semi half, partial Latin semiannual — every half year; semicircle — half a circle; semiconscious — partly conscious; semiannual — every half of a year. list sept/i seven Latin September — this used to be the seventh month in the Roman calendar; septet — a group of seven musicians; septuagenarian — a person in his/her seventies. list serv save, keep Latin conserve — to save or keep something safe; preserve — to save something; reservation — a place kept for a person. list sex six Latin sextet or sextette — a composition or group of six, sextuple — sixfold; sexagenarian — person in his/her sixties. list sol alone Latin desolate — lonely, dismal, gloomy; solitary — done alone, by yourself; solo — a performance done by one person alone. list sol sun Latin solar — involving the sun; parasol — umbrella protecting from the sun; solarium — a room where one is exposed to sun light. list somn/I sleep Latin insomnia — inability to fall asleep; somniloquy — talking in your sleep; somnolent — feeling sleepy. list son sound Latin consonant — a speech sound; sonorous — producing loud, full, rich sounds; supersonic — faster than sound; unison — as one voice. list soph wise Greek philosopher — a wise person; sophisticated — wise about the ways of the world; sophism — a clever but misleading argument. list spec/t,
spic
see, look Latin circumspect — cautious, looking all around; retrospective — a looking back at past things; spectator — a person who sees an event. list sphere ball Greek biosphere — the whole round surface of the earth; hemisphere — half the earth spherically shaped like a ball. list spir breathe Latin inspire — to stimulate or animate; transpire — to give of vapor with waste product through the skin or a membrane; spirit — invisible life force. list sta stand Latin stable — standing steady and firm; stagnant — standing still, not moving; stationary — at a standstill, fixed. list stell star Latin constellation — a group of stars that forms a pattern; interstellar — between the stars; stellar — relating to stars. list struct build Latin construct — to build; destruction — the act of destroying something that was built; structure — something built; infrastructure — underlying framework of a system. list sub under, lower than,
inferior to Latin submarine — an underwater boat; submerge — to put underwater; substandard — inferior to accepted standards. list sum highest Latin sum — the combined total of everything; summation — the total, highest amount; summit the highest point or top. list super higher in quality
or quantity Latin Super bowl — the final annual football game; superior — above average, better in quality; supersonic — faster than the speed of sound. list sy/m
/n/l/s
together, with, same Greek symmetry -similarity in size, form or arrangement; synergy — the combined effect; synchronize — to cause to occur at the same time. list tact, tang touch Latin  contact — a state in which two things touch; tactile — relating to the sense of touch; tangible — able to be touched; intact — with nothing missing. list tax/o arrangement Greek  syntax — the systematic arrangement of words; taxonomy — the science of classification; ataxia — loss of the ability to coordinate muscle action. list techno technique, skill Greek  technology — the practical application of knowledge; technocracy — rule of technology; technologically — characterized by technology. list tel/e/o far, distant, complete Greek  telephone — a device to talk to a distant person; telescope — a device to view distant objects; television — a device to receive pictures from afar; telecommuting — working remotely, bridging the distance via virtual devices. list temp/or time Latin  contemporary- existing at the same time; temporal — relating to time; temporary — lasting for a limited time. list ten, tin, tent hold Latin continent- serving to restrain or limit; detention-  the act or fact of detaining, tenacious- having parts or elements strongly adhering to each other list ter, trit rub Latin attrition-  the act of rubbing together or wearing down; detritus- a product of disintegration or wearing away; trite- used or occurring so often as to have lost interest, freshness, or force list term/ina end, limit Latin  determine — to find something out at the end of an investigation; terminate — to end; exterminate — to destroy or get rid of completely. list terr/a/i land, earth Latin  extraterrestrial — existing outside the earth; terrain — ground or land; territory — an area of land. list tetra four Latin tetrapod — having 4 legs; tetrarchy — government by 4 rulers; tetrose — a monosaccharide with four carbon atoms. list the put Greek bibliotheca-  a list or catalog of books; theme- a proposition for discussion or argument; thesis- a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view list the/o god Greek  monotheism — belief in one god; polytheism — worshiping more than one god; theology — the study of religion, god, etc. list therm/o heat Greek  thermal — relating to heat; thermos — an insulated jar that keeps heat in; thermostat — a device that controls heat. list tort twist Latin contortion — a twisted shape or position; distort — to alter the shape or condition of; retort — reply in a manner that is supposed to change the effect of something previously said. list tox poison Latin detoxification — the process of removing poisons; toxic — poisonous; toxicology — the study of poisons; intoxicated — influenced by drugs. list tract pull, drag Latin  attract — to pull objects nearer; distract — to drag attention away from something; tractor — a motor vehicle that pulls things. list trans across,beyond, through Latin  transcontinental — across the continent; transfer — to move from one place to another; transport — to carry something across a space. list tri three, once in every three,
third Greek
Latin   triangle — a figure with 3 sides and 3 angles; triathlon — an athletic contest with 3 events; tricycle — a 3-wheeI vehicle with pedals. list ultra beyond, extreme, more than Latin  ultrahigh — extremely high; ultramodern — more modern than anything else; ultrasonic — sound waves beyond human hearing. list un not,opposite of, lacking  Latin unabridged — not shortened; unfair — opposite of fair; unfriendly — lacking friendliness. list uni one, single Latin  unicycle — a vehicle with one wheel; unilateral — decided by only one person or nation; unique — the only one of its kind; unison — as one voice. list urb city Latin  suburb — residential area on the edge of a city; urban — relating to a city; urbanology — the study of city life. list vac empty Latin  evacuate — to empty a dangerous place; vacant — empty, not occupied; vacation — a time without work. list ven/t come Latin  circumvent — to go around or bypass restrictions; convention — a gathering or assembly of people with a common interest; intervene — to come between. list ver/I truth Latin  veracious — truthful, honest; veracity — the truth; verify — to make sure that something is true. list verb word Latin  verbalize — to put into words; adverb — a word relating to a verb; proverb — a short saying that expresses a well-known truth. list vers,
vert
turn Latin  reverse — to turn around; introvert — being turned towards the inside; version — a variation of an original; controversy — a conversation in which positions are turned against each other. list vice acting in place of,
next in rank Latin vice-president — the person next in rank to the president list vid see Latin  evident clearly seen list vince,
vic
conquer Latin convince — to win someone over; invincible — not able to be conquered; victory — the conquest of an enemy. list vis, vid see Latin  vision — the ability to see; envision — to picture in the mind; evident — clearly visible. list viv/i
vit
live, life Latin  revival — the act of bringing back to life; vital — pertaining to live; vivacious — high-spirited and full of life. list voc/i voice, call Latin  advocate — to speak in favor of; equivocate — to use misleading language that could be interpreted two different ways; vocalize — to produce with your voice. list vol/i/u wish, will Latin  benevolent — showing good will and kindness; volition — the act of making a choice or decision, voluntary — resulting from your own free will. list vor,
vour
eat Latin  carnivorous — meat-eating; voracious — desiring or eating food in great quantities; devour — to eat quickly. list xanth yellow Latin xanthium- a genus of coarse and rough or spiny herbs; xanthochromia- yellowish discoloration (as of the skin or cerebrospinal fluid); xanthogenic list xen/o foreign Greek  xenophobic — afraid of foreigners; xenogenesis — the creation of offspring that is completely different from either parent; xenophile — attracted to foreigners. list xer/o/I dry Greek  xerophyte — a plant that grows in dry climate; xerography — a dry photocopying process; xeric — requiring small amounts of moisture. list xyl wood Greek xylocarp; xyloid- resembling wood; xylophone-an organ percussion stop of similar tone quality list zo/o animal life Greek  zoology — study of animals; zooid — resembling an animal; zooplankton — minute floating aquatic animals. list zyg/o pair Greek  zygote — a cell formed by the union of two gametes and the organism developing from that; zygomorphic — pertaining to organisms that can be divided into symmetrical halves along one axis only.
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Root Words In English Vocabulary PDF: List, Prefix And Suffix With Meaning and Examples

Root Words In English Language PDF: The majority of English words are created by starting with simple words and embellishing them with various prefixes and suffixes. Learning the root words in English with meaning and examples PDF will help you remember things easily. These root words in English examples will help you score well in the verbal ability section of all competitive exams. Learn this list of root words in English for bank exams, SSC, RRB, and UPSC exams. Also, aspirants who want to ace their verbal ability section and those who aspire to improve their English vocabulary skills and those who are in search of root words in English grammar, root words in English PDF download, root words in English with Hindi meaning, English root words list PDF, prefix and suffix words in English PDF, list of all root words in English PDF, root word PDF in Hindi, root word meaning in English grammar, total root words in English language, greek root words in English language, the example of root word in English grammar, most common root words in English language, the origin of words in English language, Latin origin words in English language, french origin words in English language, greek origin words in English list can proceed through this article for complete details on root words for vocabulary PDF, prefix and suffix words in English list. 

Moreover, it is possible to define root words in english vocabulary as whole words that cannot be divided further. It can develop its meaning without using the English language’s suffixes and prefixes. Learn root words for English vocabulary PDF and enhance your vocab skills by understanding the meaning of the root words in English grammar definition. In order to create several English words, basic words are combined with various prefixes and suffixes. Given the depth and Comprehensive nature of the English language, it is challenging to learn every word’s definition. Hence, root words in English vocabulary PDF can make it simple for you to comprehend what all of the words mean with this root words in english pdf. As a result, the root words in English list provided in this article will include root words in English with meaning. For easy preparation, candidates will also be able to download the root words pdf. Get to know the root words in English prefix and suffix lists with meaning and examples in this article. Also, root words in English with Hindi meaning given helps you understand the concept at your convenience.

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What Are Root Words In English Language?

Check the root words in english pdf along with the origin of root words in English vocabulary below.

Origin Of Words In English Language

Each word’s background must be understood in order to comprehend language. Because it is a synthesis of all widely spoken languages, including Spanish, Latin, Greek, and others, English is regarded as a world language. The aspirants’ ability to decipher the meaning of new terms as they are encountered will be made easier by having knowledge of the fundamental words. Check out the list of prefixes suffixes root words and their meanings with Latin origin words in English language, french origin words in English language, greek origin words in English, etc., by referring to the details provided below.

Root Words In English Language

A root word is a word that, when combined with other words, creates new words (prefixes or suffixes). It is the word’s most fundamental component. The fundamental components of roots are either added or removed to create new words. Knowing the common root terms will let you to make educated guesses about the meaning of unfamiliar words, which will improve your vocabulary. The root meaning in English word is a word in its own right.

A list of root words in English PDF is provided with prefix words in English list. Candidates can get to know the English root words prefixes and suffixes and root words in English with Hindi meaning through the root words in English with meaning and examples PDF given below. Utilize these root words in English for SSC CGL, CHSL, bank exams, and other competitive exams. Also, get to know the root words in English with meaning and examples in this PDF. Aspirants preparing for competitive exams can improve their vocabulary by learning the most common root words in English language given here in this list of root words of English PDF. Candidates in search of English root words list PDF, prefix and suffix words in English PDF, root words of English PDF, list of all root words in English PDF, root words for vocabulary PDF, how to learn root words for English vocabulary PDF, root words in English with meaning and examples PDF can utilize this root words in English PDF given below.

List Of Root Words In English PDF Download

Root Words In English List

Here we have added the prefix and suffix words in English list for understanding the root words in English in detail. The root word for English words can be found by keeping in mind the basic Root Words In English and their meanings. Also, download the root words in english pdf provided above for effective preparation. Refer to the example of root word in english grammar with the list of words and their meanings tabulated below.

1. Root Words In English: «Cent»

Root Words In English With Meaning: «one hundred»

List Of Prefixes Suffixes Root Words And Their Meanings With Examples
Root Words In English List Root Words In English With Meaning Root Words In English Examples
century any period of 100 years It took more than a century to complete the cathedral.
percent one part in every hundred. If a goalie saves 96 out of 100 shots, his save percentage is 96 percent.
centenarian

a person who is a hundred or more years old.

One centenarian continues to march for peace.

centrifugal

moving away from a centre point Centrifugal machines are connected to the motor drive directly instead of through a gearbox.
centimeters a measure of length He is 1 meter 80 centimeters tall.
centroids the centre of mass of a geometric object of uniform density The entire census tract population will be included only if the centroid is included in the cylinder.

2. Root Words In English: «Mal»

Root Words In English With Meaning: «bad or evil»

Most Common Root Words In English Language — Prefix Words In English List — Suffix Words In English List
Root Words In English List Root Words In English With Meaning Example of root word in english grammar
Malfunction working badly According to some sources, the crash was due to a technical malfunction.
Malignment defame something badly He has been much maligned by those who have not bothered to find out his antecedents. 
Malice evil intention Actions done with malice have no good intention.
Dismal A gloomy situation The last six or seven weeks have been truly dismal.
Maltreat Treat someone/something badly He said that he was not tortured or maltreated during his detention.
Maleficent Someone who deliberately try causing harm to someone He denied any maleficent intent.

3. Root Words In English: «Phobia»

Root Words In English With Meaning: «Fear or dislike»

Words With Prefix Suffix And Root — Root Words And Their Prefixes
Root Words In English List Root Words In English With Meaning Root Words In English Examples
acrophobia fear of heights Because I have acrophobia, I never ride anything other than the Ferris wheel at the amusement park.
aerophobia fear of flying He has not toured since his rebirth in popularity, apparently due to his dislike of traveling and aerophobia.
aquaphobia fear of water He went snorkelling and was jubilant at overcoming his aquaphobia.
astraphobia fear of storms In 2007 scientists found astraphobia is the third most prevalent phobia in the US.
claustrophobia  fear of closed spaces In the claustrophobia of her parents’ house she had no stimulus for creativity.
enochlophobia  fear of crowds Depending on the length of the original exposure to the painting, subjects may suffer from this condition until death, resulting in severe paranoia and enochlophobia.

4. Root Words In English: «fort»

Root Words In English With Meaning: «strength»

Root Words In English Grammar — Root Word Meaning In English Grammar
Root Words In English List Root Words In English With Meaning Example of root word in english grammar
fortress  “strong” building. He lamented that even this fortress was no longer safe from the epidemic.
effort a putting of “strong” work forth He put a lot of effort into finishing the project on time.
fortify to make “strong” They hurriedly fortified the village with barricades of carts.
fortuity a chance occurrence It all rested on the fortuity of her getting five minutes alone with him.
 pieforts any coin struck on an unusually thick planchet as a trial piece or essay He saw pieforts in the presentation piece.
fortune luck She inherited a fortune from her grandmother.

5. Root Words In English: «Anti»

Root Words In English With Meaning: «Opposite or against»

Prefix Words In English List — Suffix Words In English List
Root Words In English List Root Words In English With Meaning Root Words In English Examples
Antiseptic a liquid or cream that prevents a cut, etc. from becoming infected She bathed the cut with antiseptic.
Antidote a medical substance that is used to prevent a poison or a disease from having an effect There is no antidote to this poison.
Antisocial harmful or annoying to other people My neighbor is antisocial.
Antioxidants man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage C is an important antioxidant and good for all-round health.
Antipathy dislike Declarations of racial antipathy against ethnic minorities will not be tolerated.
Anticipating expect something to happen We don’t anticipate any snags with the negotiations.
Antibiotic a medicine which is used for destroying bacteria and curing infections I’m taking antibiotics for a throat infection.

6. Root Words In English: «Dict/Dic»

Root Words In English With Meaning: «Say»

List Of Prefixes Suffixes Root Words — Root Words In English With Meaning And Examples
Root Words In English List Root Words In English With Meaning Example of root word in english grammar
Prediction say something beforehand. Weather prediction has never been a perfect science.
Dictated say something to someone Circumstances dictated that they played a defensive rather than attacking game.
Verdict speaking or saying the truth The verdict was not guilty.
Indicate  make known about something by saying Our records indicate a depth of 3,000 feet here.
Contradict say something against He contradicted the charges of his critics.
Dictionary a book that tells us how to say a certain word correctly. He bought me a new dictionary.
Addicted when we want to say or declare that we are in love with certain things. After about three months, I was no longer addicted to using my mobile.

7. Root Words In English: «Logy»

Root Words In English With Meaning: «to study something»

Root Words In English Grammar And Their Meanings With Examples
Root Words In English List Root Words In English With Meaning Root Words In English Examples
Analogy the study of comparison of two or more things He submitted his analogy of the science experiment.
Anthropology the study of human beings as ‘anthrop’ means human. She has a year until her final exams and hopes to study anthropology at university.
Theology  ‘theo’ means God/religion so theology is the study of religion He has an interest in theology and pastoral work.
Morphology  the study of structures is morphology. Morph means structures. Of particular interest is the finding that motile cells switch surface morphologies reversibly between ruffles and blebs.

8. Root Words In English: «Phil»

Root Words In English With Meaning: «to Love»

Root Words In English Vocabulary And Their Meanings With Examples
Root Words In English List Root Words In English With Meaning Example of root word in english grammar
Bibliophile the one who loves books As a child, he was an intense bibliophile and avid collector of old books.
Philologist word lover who is a scholar of language He is a philologist, specialising in American poetry.
Philanthropist  is a person who loves mankind. He has been the most extraordinarily generous philanthropist.
Philosopher  A person who will love wisdom This wise old philosopher was counselor to Bishop Ambrose.
Philodendron A tree that curls up while growing and are called love trees. A greenhouse was built to house the philodendron and other plants during renovation and afterwards used for expansion and keeping more exotic plants.

9. Root Words In English: «port»

Root Words In English With Meaning: «to carry»

Root Words In English Prefix And Suffix And Their Meanings With Examples
Root Words In English List Root Words In English With Meaning Root Words In English Examples
portable that can be moved or carried easily There was a little portable television switched on behind the bar.
transportation intentional movement The company will provide transportation.
deport ‘carry’ from.  The refugees were deported back to their country of origin.
important  ‘carried’ in. In his editorial, he made several important points.
reporter one who ‘carries’ back. He leaked the story to a news reporter.

10. Root Words In English: «spect»

Root Words In English With Meaning: «to look»

Prefix And Suffix Words In English List And Their Meanings With Examples
Root Words In English List Root Words In English With Meaning Example of root word in english grammar
inspection the act of looking at something carefully Close inspection of the candles revealed some small defects.
spectator  one who “sees” an event. The spectators lining the road cheered the racers on.
spectacular impressive enough to be worthy of “seeing” He has just walked out into a spectacular summer storm.
spectacles glasses which allow wearers to “see” better. He always wore tinted spectacles, as you can see in photographs.
spectacle something which is “seen,” such as a public event or show. It was a strange spectacle to see the two former enemies shaking hands and slapping each other on the back.

List Of Other Root Words In English

Here we have added the list of other root words in englishwith meanings and sample words.

List Of Root Words In English

S.No

Root Words In English

Meaning

Sample Words

1

Fid

Trust/Faith

  • Fidelity
  • Infidelity
  • Perfidy
  • Confident
  • Diffident
  • Bonafide
  • Malafide
  • Confidant
  • Confide
  • Affidavit

2

Loc/Loq

To speak/talk

  • Loquacious
  • Eloquent
  • Somniloquent
  • Magniloquent
  • Blandiloquent
  • Melliloquent
  • Ventriloquent
  • Dentiloquent
  • Circumlocution
  • Soliloquy
  • Colloquial
  • Obloquy
  • Interlocution
  • Elocution

3

Plac/Plais

To soothe/please/calm down

  • Placate
  • Placid
  • Placable
  • Implacable
  • Complacent
  • Placebo
  • Complaisant

4

Pathy

Emotions, Feelings

  • Apathy
  • Antipathy
  • Sympathy
  • Empathy
  • Telepathy

5

Nov/Neo

New

  • Novice
  • Novel
  • Novelty
  • Neophyte
  • Neonatal
  • Innovation
  • Renovation
  • Novitiate

6

Luc

Light,Bright,Clear

  • Lucid
  • Pellucid
  • Elucidate
  • Lucent
  • Translucent

7

Bell

War/Tight

  • Bellona
  • Bellicose
  • Belligerent
  • Rebellion
  • Antebellum
  • Postbellum
  • Bellipotent

8

Acri/Acer

Bitter, Sour, Sharp

  • Acrid
  • Acrimontious
  • Acerbate
  • Exacerbate

9

Pan

All, Everywhere

  • Pan India
  • Panacea
  • Pandemonium
  • Pantheist
  • Pandemic
  • Panorama
  • Pantheon
  • Pandora Box
  • Panchromatic

10

Dict

Say, Tell, Announce

  • Benediction
  • Malediction
  • Valediction
  • Prediction
  • Contradiction
  • Interdiction
  • Dictum

11

Bene

Good, Well

  • Benign
  • Benevolent
  • Beneficial
  • Beneficiary
  • Benediction
  • Benefactor
  • Bension

12

Mal

Bad

  • Malign
  • Malevolent
  • Malefactor
  • Malafide
  • Malnutrition
  • Malice
  • Malaise
  • Maladroit
  • Malicious
  • Malignant

13

Gre

Group, Gathering

  • Gregarious
  • Congregation
  • Egregious
  • Segregate
  • Aggregate

14

Viv

Life, Live

  • Convivial
  • Vivacious
  • Vivid
  • Viviparous
  • Revive
  • Survive
  • Vital
  • Vivisection

15

Mag

Huge, Big, Grand

  • Magnanimous
  • Magniloquent
  • Magnipotent
  • Magnify
  • Magnifico
  • Magnificent

16

Ambul

Move, Walk

  • Ambulant
  • Ambulance
  • Somnambulist
  • Noctambulist
  • Perambulator
  • Funambulist
  • Amble

17

Eu

Good, Well, Pleasant

  • Eulogy
  • Euphony
  • Euphemism
  • Euphoria
  • Eutrophy
  • Eutopia/ Utopia
  • Eupepsia
  • Eugenics

18

San

Cleanliness, Health, Pure

  • Sane
  • Insane
  • Sanitorium
  • Sanguine
  • Sangfroid
  • Sanitary
  • Sanitation
  • Sanctity

19

Mort

Death, Decay, Weak

  • Mortal
  • Immortal
  • Moribund
  • Mortuary
  • Oxymortia
  • Post-Mortem
  • Mortician

20

Vor

To eat

  • Herbivore
  • Carnivore
  • Omnivore
  • Insectivore
  • Devour
  • Savory

21

Dem

People

  • Democracy
  • Demography
  • Demophobe
  • Demophile
  • Democide
  • Epidemic
  • Pandemic
  • Endemic
  • Pandemonium
  • Demogogue

22

Omni

All, Throughout

  • Omnipresent
  • Omniscient
  • Omnipotent
  • Omnivorous
  • Omnibus

23

Soli/Sol

Alone, Single

  • Solitary
  • Solitude
  • Soliloquy
  • Desolate
  • Isolate
  • Solace
  • Solo

24

Ambi

Both, Around

  • Ambivert
  • Ambidexterous
  • Ambivalent
  • Ambiguous
  • Ambience

25

Cide

Killing, Murder

  • Suicide
  • Matricide
  • Patricide
  • Fratricide
  • Sororicide
  • Uxoricide
  • Filicide
  • Infanticide
  • Foeticide
  • Homicide
  • Genocide
  • Parricide
  • Regicide

26

Phobia

Fear, Panic

  • Acrophobia
  • Aerophobia
  • Anorexia
  • Agorophobia
  • Claustrophobia
  • Kleptomania
  • Necrophobia
  • Zoophobia
  • Xenophobia
  • Nyctophobia
  • Logomania
  • Ochlophobia
  • Thanatophobia
  • Hydrophobia
  • Geraphobia

27

Cracy

Rule, Government

  • Bureaucracy
  • Democracy
  • Monarchy
  • Aristocracy
  • Anarchy
  • Autocracy
  • Oligarchy
  • Plutocracy
  • Theocracy
  • Secular

28

Cre

Believe, Belief

  • Creed
  • Credo
  • Credentials
  • Accredit
  • Discredit
  • Credulous
  • Incredulous
  • Credible
  • Incredible

29

Phil

Love, Liking

  • Philanthropist
  • Bibliophile
  • Philology
  • Philodemic
  • Philosophia
  • Hydrophilic
  • Philip
  • Zoophilic
  • Xenophile
  • Ornithophilic
  • Philanderer

30

Ami/Amo

Friendly, Loveable, Peaceful

  • Amity
  • Amicable
  • Amiable
  • Amorous
  • Enamored

31

Alter/ Ali/ Allo

Other, Change

  • Alteration
  • Alternation
  • Alter ego
  • Alternative
  • Allonym
  • Alienate

32

Zo/o

Animal Life

  • Zoology
  • Zooid
  • Zooplankton

33

Acro

Top, Height, Tip, Beginning

  • Acrobat
  • Acronym
  • Acrophobia

34

Andr/o

man, male

  • Androgynous
  • Android
  • Androgynous
  • Misandry

35

Arbour

tree

  • Arborist
  • Arbour
  • Arborous

36

Art

skill

  • Artifact
  • Artisan
  • Artist

37

Auto

self, same, one

  • Automatic
  • Autograph
  • Autocrat

38

bio

life, living matter

  • Biosphere
  • Biology
  • biography

39

Cata

down, against completely intensive according to

  • Catastrophe
  • Catalogue
  • cataclysm

40

caust, caut

to burn

  • Holocaust
  • Caustic
  • Caustic
  • Cauterize

41

ceive, cept

take

  • Receive
  • Perceive
  • accept

42

cert

sure

  • Certify
  • Certain
  • Ascertain

43

circum

around, about

  • Circumvent
  • Circumspect
  • Circumscribe
  • Circumnavigate

44

claim, clam

shout, speak out

  • Proclamation
  • Exclaim
  • Clamour

45

Com

together, common

  • Commune
  • Composition
  • commemorate

46

Counter

opposite, contrary, opposing

  • Counteroffensive
  • Countermand
  • Counteract

47

Cred

believe  

  • Incredible
  • Credulous
  • credence

48

Cumul

mass, heap

  • Cumulative
  • Accumulate

49

De

reduce, away, down, remove  

  • Debug
  • Dethrone
  • decelerate

50

Deci

one tenth

  • Decibel
  • Decimate
  • decilitre

51

Act-, -act

do

  • Interaction
  • React
  • Activity

52

alg/o

pain

  • Nostalgia
  • Analgesic
  • Neuralgia

53

Ana

up, back, against, again, throughout

  • Anachronism
  • Anatomy
  • Analysis

54

ann/enn

year

  • Millennium
  • Annual
  • Anniversary

55

Ante-

before, in front

  • Anteroom
  • Antemeridian
  • Ante cede

56

apo, apho

away, off, separate

  • Apostrophe
  • Apology
  • Aphorism

57

Arbour

tree

  • Arborous
  • Arbour
  • Arborist

58

Crypt

to hide

  • Cryptic
  • apocryphal cryptography

59

bell/i

war

  • Bellicose
  • belligerent

60

Legal

related to the law

  • Illegal
  • Legalities
  • paralegal

61

phon

sound

  • Phone
  • symphony

62

hypo

below; beneath

  • Hypothermia
  • hypothetical

63

cardil/o

heart

  • cardiac
  • cardiogenic
  • cardiologist

64

Non

no, not, without

  • Nondescript
  • Nonfiction
  • Nonsense 

65

Cata

down, against completely intensive according to

  • Catastrophe
  • Catalogue
  • cataclysm

66

homo

same

  • Homonym
  • homogenous

67

cede, ceed, cess

go, yield

  • Accessible
  • Recede
  • Exceed

68

Poli

City

  • Metropolis
  • Police
  • Politics

69

gram

thing written

  • Epigram
  • telegram

70

aster

star

  • asteroid astronaut

71

biblio

book

  • bibliography bibliophile

72

dyna

power

  • Dynamic
  • dynamite

73

Poly

Many, many more than one

  • Polychrome
  • Polyglot
  • Polygon

74

dys

bad; hard; unlucky

  • dysfunctional dyslexic

75

chrome

color

  • monochromatic phytochrome

76

logy

Study of

  • Biology
  • Psychology

77

graph

writing

  • Graphic
  • phonograph

78

Kinesis

movement

  • Kinetic
  • psychokinesis

79

Nym

Name

  • Antonym
  • Synonym

80

centi

hundred, hundredth

  • Century
  • Centimeter
  • Centennial

81

anthrop

man; human; humanity

  • Anthropologist
  • philanthropy

82

photo

light

  • photograph photocopy

83

syn

together, with

  • synthetic photosynthesis

84

schem

Plan

  • Schematic
  • Scheme

85

cerebr/o

brain

  • Cerebral
  • Cerebrate
  • cerebrospinal

86

chrom/o chromat/o, chros

colour, pigment

  • Achromatic
  • chromium
  • chromatics

87

circum

around, about

  • Circumnavigate
  • circumscribe
  • circumspect
  • Circumvent

88

Clar

clear

  • Clarification
  • Clarify
  • declare

89

Cline

lean

  • Inclination
  • Incline
  • recline

90

Co

with, together, joint

  • co-operate
  • co-author
  • coeducation
  • cohousing

91

cogn/i

know

  • Cognition
  • incognito
  • recognize

92

contra/o

against opposite

  • contradict
  • contrary
  • controversy

93

cosm/o

universe

  • cosmonaut
  • cosmos
  • microcosm

94

Cranio

skull

  • craniology
  • cranium
  • cranial

95

Cumul

mass, heap

  • Accumulate
  • cumulative

96

Cycl

circle, ring

  • bicycle
  • cycle
  • cyclone

97

dec/a. deka

Ten

  • Decade
  • Decathlon

98

dendr/o/i

tree

  • Dendriform

99

dent

tooth

  • dental
  • dentist
  • dentures

100

derm/a

skin

  • Dermatologist
  • Pachyderm
  • Dermatitis

101

di

two, twice

  • Dichromatic
  • Dilemma

102

Dia

through, between, apart, across

  • Diabetes
  • Diagnosis
  • Dialog

103

Domin

master

  • Dominate
  • Domineering
  • Predominate

104

dys-

abnormal, bad

  • dyspepsia
  • dystopia
  • dyslexia

105

enn/I, anni

years

  • Bicentennial
  • centennial
  • perennial

106

ep/i  

on, upon, over, among, at, after, to, outside

  • Epidemic
  • Epilogue
  • epicentre

107

erg/o

work

  • Ergonomics

108

esth/aesth

feeling, sensation, beauty

  • Esthetician
  • Aesthetic
  • kinesthesia

109

Eu

good, well

  • Euphemism
  • Euphonious
  • euphoria

110

Ex

from, out

  • excavate
  • exhale
  • extract

111

Funct

perform, work

  • Defunct
  • Function
  • malfunction

112

Hetero

different, other

  • Heterogeneous
  • Heteronyms
  • Heterodox

113

hex/a

six

  • Hexagon
  • Hexameter
  • Hexapod

114

histo

tissue

  • Histology
  • Histochemistry

115

hygr/o

moisture, humidity

  • Hygrometer
  • hygrograph

116

iatr/o

medical care

  • Geriatrics
  • Paediatrician
  • podiatry

117

icon/o

image

  • Icon
  • Iconology
  • Iconoclast

118

Idio

peculiar, personal, distinct

  • Idiomatic
  • Idiot
  • Idiosyncrasy

119

il, in

in, into

  • Illuminate
  • Innovation
  • inspection

120

imag

likeness

  • Image
  • Imaginative
  • Imagine

121

intra, intro

within, inside

  • Intrastate
  • Intravenous
  • Introvert

122

Iso

Equal

  • Isobar
  • Isometric
  • isothermal

123

Junct

jin

  • Conjunction
  • Disjunction
  • junction

124

Juven

young

  • Juvenile
  • rejuvenate

125

lact/o

milk

  • Lactate
  • lactose

126

Lex

word, law, reading

  • Lexicology
  • Alexia
  • illegal

127

Liber

Free

  • Liberate
  • Liberty
  • libertine

128

Loc

place

  • Dislocate
  • Location
  • Relocate

129

loqo, luco

speak

  • Eloquent
  • Loquacious
  • elocution

130

lud, lus

to play

  • Prelude
  • Illusion
  • delude

131

man/i/u

hand

  • Manoeuvre
  • Manual
  • manuscript

132

Mand

to order

  • Command
  • Demand
  • mandate

133

mar/i

sea

  • Marina
  • Maritime
  • Submarine
  • aquamarine

134

Max

greatest

  • Maximal
  • Maximize
  • maximum

135

Mega

great, large

  • Megalopolis
  • Megaphone
  • mega structure

136

memor/i

remember

  • Commemorate
  • Memory
  • memorial

137

Meso

middle

  • Mesoamerica
  • meson

138

Mob

move

  • Immobilize
  • Mobile
  • mobility

139

Mut

change

  • Immutable
  • Mutant
  • mutate

140

Nat

born

  • Innate
  • Natal
  • natural

141

Ocu

eye

  • Binoculars
  • Monocular
  • oculist

142

Pan

all, any, everyone

  • Panacea
  • Panorama
  • Pantheism
  • pandemic

143

Quart

fourth

  • Quarter
  • Quart
  • quartet

144

Radio

radiation, ray

  • Radioactive
  • radiologist

145

Scend

climb, go

  • Ascend
  • Crescendo
  • Descend

146

tact, tang

touch

  • Contact
  • Tactile
  • Tangible
  • intact

147

Un

not, opposite of, lacking

  • Unabridged
  • Unfair
  • unfriendly

148

Vac

empty

  • Evacuate
  • Vacant
  • vacation

149

vor, vour

Eat

  • Voracious
  • devour

150

zo/o

animal life

  • Zoology
  • Zooid
  • Zooplankton

Most Common Root Words In English Language

Here we have added the words with prefix suffix and root for your reference. Aspirants in search of greek origin words in English list, Latin origin words in English language, french origin words in English language.

Latin Origin Words In English Language

English Root Words From the Latin Language — English Root Words List

Latin Root

Root Words With Meaning

Root Words In English Examples

ambi both ambiguous, ambidextrous
aqua water aquarium, aquamarine
aud to hear audience, audition
bene good benefactor, benevolent
cent one hundred century, percent
circum around circumference, circumstance
contra/counter against contradict, encounter
dict to say dictation, dictator
duc/duct to lead conduct, induce
fac to do; to make factory, manufacture
form shape conform, reform
fort strength fortitude, fortress
fract to break fracture, fraction
ject throw projection, rejection
jud judge judicial, prejudice
mal bad malevolent, malefactor
mater mother material, maternity
mit to send transmit, admit
mort death mortal, mortician
multi many multimedia, multiple
pater father paternal, paternity
port to carry portable, transportation
rupt to break bankrupt, disruption
scrib/scribe to write inscription, prescribe
sect/sec to cut bisect, section
sent to feel; to send consent, resent
spect to look inspection, spectator
struct to build destruction, restructure
vid/vis to see video, televise
voc voice; to call vocalize, advocate

Greek Origin Words In English List

Greek Origin Words In English List — English Root Words List

Root Words from the Greek Language

Root Words With Meaning

Root Words Examples

anthropo man; human; humanity anthropologist, philanthropy
auto self autobiography, automobile
bio life biology, biography
chron time chronological, chronic
dyna power dynamic, dynamite
dys bad; hard; unlucky dysfunctional, dyslexic
gram thing written epigram, telegram
graph writing graphic, phonograph
hetero different heteronym, heterogeneous
homo same homonym, homogenous
hydr water hydration, dehydrate
hypo below; beneath hypothermia, hypothetical
logy study of biology, psychology
meter/metr measure thermometer, perimeter
micro small microbe, microscope
mis/miso hate misanthrope, misogyny
mono one monologue, monotonous
morph form; shape morphology, morphing
nym name antonym, synonym
phil love philanthropist, philosophy
phobia fear claustrophobia, phobic
phon sound phone, symphony
photo/phos light photograph, phosphorous
pseudo false pseudonym, pseudoscience
psycho soul; spirit psychology, psychic
scope viewing instrument microscope, telescope
techno art; science; skill technique, technological
tele far off television, telephone
therm heat thermal, thermometer

Prefix And Suffix Words In English List

Affixes are morphemes that are added to a base word to change its meaning. They consist of prefixes and suffixes. Prefixes are placed at the beginning of a word, while suffixes are placed at the end. The majority of prefixes and suffixes in English are one or two syllables long, with the exception of the three-syllable suffix -ology. The -s and -‘s suffixes only add the ess sound to the end of a word; they are not even full syllables. Prefixes and suffixes both aid in vocabulary growth and writing proficiency, but only suffixes are employed for grammatical operations like verb conjugation and noun pluralization.

Prefix Words In English List

A prefix is a one- to three-syllable affix that is used to modify the meaning of a base word. For instance, the word impossible, which signifies «not possible,» is created by prefixing the basic word possible with the im- prefix. Understanding prefixes can significantly increase your vocabulary and reading comprehension because they are a common component of English.

Prefix Words In English Grammar

Prefix Words In English Grammar With Examples — Root Words And Their Prefixes

Prefix Words In English List

Prefix Words In English With Meaning

Prefix Words In English Examples

a- not, without amoral, atheist, asexual
anti- against anticlimax
after- following something afterlife, aftermath, aftereffect 
all- including everything or completely all-knowing, all-American, all-encompassing 
ambi- both ambidextrous, ambiguous, ambivalence
back- behind or reverse backflip, background, backward
bio- life or relating to life biology, biotechnology, biopsy
circum- around circumference, circumvent, circumstantial
contra- against or opposing contradiction, contraceptive, contrarian
de- opposite devalue
dis- not; opposite of discover
down- moving from higher to lower downgrade, download, downplay
en-, em- cause to enact, empower
ex- former or in the past ex-boyfriend, ex-wife, ex-president
extra- outside of extradite, extraterrestrial, extracurricular
fore- before; front of foreshadow, forearm
geo- relating to the earth geology, geography, geofence
hetero- different  heterosexual, heterogeneous, heteromorph
hind- in the back or behind hindsight, hindquarters, hinder
homo- same homosexual, homogeny, homophone
hydro- relating to water hydroelectric, hydrophobic, hydroplane
in-, im- in income, impulse
in-, im-, il-, ir- not indirect, immoral, illiterate, irreverent
inter- between; among interrupt
intra- on the inside, within intramural, intravenous, intracellular
micro- very small microscope, microaggression, microcosm
mid- middle midfield
mis- wrongly misspell
neo- new iteration of something neoclassical, neonatal, neoliberal
non- not nonviolent
over- over; too much overeat
omni- encompassing all omnipotent, omnibus, omnivore
out- surpassing or going outside the normal outperform, outmaneuver, outlier
pre- before preview
re- again rewrite
semi- half; partly; not fully semifinal
sub- under subway
super- above; beyond superhuman
trans- across transmit
un- not; opposite of unusual
under- under; too little underestimate

Suffix Words In English List

Suffixes are letters that are appended to a base word to alter its word type, conjugation, or other grammatical characteristics like plurality. In English, suffixes are important for writing and reading comprehension in addition to grammar.

Suffix Words In English Grammar

Suffix Words In English Grammar With Examples — Root Words And Their Suffixes

Suffix Words In English List

Suffix Words In English With Meaning

Suffix Words In English Examples

-able, -ible is; can be affordable, sensible
-ate showing congratulate, enunciate, regulate 
-al, -ial having characteristics of universal, facial
-ed past tense verbs; adjectives the dog walked,
the walked dog
-en made of golden
-er, -or one who;
person connected with
teacher, professor
-er more taller
-est the most tallest
-ful full of helpful
-ic having characteristics of poetic
-ing verb forms;
present participles
sleeping
-ion, -tion, -ation,
-tion
act; process submission, motion,
relation, edition
-ity, -ty state of activity, society
-ive, -ative,
-itive
adjective form of noun active, comparative,
sensitive
-less without hopeless
-ly how something is lovely
-ment state of being; act of contentment
-ness state of; condition of openness
-ous, -eous, -ious having qualities of riotous, courageous,
gracious
-s, -es more than one trains, trenches
-self, -selves creates reflexive pronouns that refer back to the subject myself, ourselves, oneself 
-y characterized by gloomy

Additional Root Words In English Vocabulary

Candidates in search of 20 root words with prefixes and suffixes and are looking for additional root words in English grammar can refer to the root words in English prefixes and suffixes with meaning and examples provided here in this article.

Root Words In English With Meaning

  • pater — father (paternal, paternity, patriarch)
  • script — to write (manuscript, postscript, scripture)
  • acri — bitter (acrid, acrimony, acridity)
  • astro — star (astronaut, astronomy, astrophysics)
  • aud — hear (audience, audible, audio)
  • ambul — to move or walk (ambulance, ambulate)
  • cardio — heart (cardiovascular, electrocardiogram, cardiology)
  • cede — to go or yield (intercede, recede, concede)
  • counter — against or opposite (counteract, counterpoint, counterargument)
  • dem — people (democracy, democrat, demographic)
  • sect — cut apart (dissect, sectional, transect)
  • tele — far (telephone, telegraph, television)
  • fac — to do (factory, faculty, faction)
  • gen — birth (genesis, genetics, generate)
  • lum — light (lumen, luminary, luminous)
  • micro — small (microbiology, microcosm, microscope)
  • multi — many (multilingual, multiple, multifaceted)
  • port — carry (portal, portable, transport)
  • sen — old (senator, senile, senior)
  • sent — to feel (consent, sensation, sensing)
  • vor — to eat (herbivore, omnivore, voracious)
  • auto — self (autonomy, autocrat, automatic)
  • bene — good (benefactor, benevolent, beneficial)
  • carn — flesh (carnal, carnivorous, reincarnate)
  • corp — body (corporal, corporate, corpse)
  • cred — believe (credible, credence, incredible)
  • dict — say (diction, dictate, edict)
  • derm — skin (dermatitis, dermatology, epidermis)
  • equi — equal (equity, equilateral, equidistant)
  • hypno — sleep (hypnosis, hypnotic, hypnotism)
  • intra — within or into (intrapersonal, intramural, intravenous)
  • ject — to throw (reject, eject, inject)
  • magni — big or great (magnificent, magnify, magnitude)
  • mal — bad (malignant, malfunction, malice)
  • omni — all (omnipotent, omnipresent, omnivore)
  • vis, vid — to see (envision, evident, vision)

FAQs — Root Words In English List

Q. What are the examples of root words?

The examples of root words are bene, act, ly, sen, omni, vis, vid, mal, phobia,etc., For more root words in english refer to the article given here.

Q. What are root words in English / Define root word in English grammar?

A root word is a word that, when combined with other words, creates new words (prefixes or suffixes).

Q. How many English root words are there / How many root words in English language?

In the English language, there are almost 100+ root words that have been identified, which are commonly originated from Greek and Latin.

Q. How to find prefixes suffixes and root words?

Prefixes function as modifiers and occur before root words. A word’s root determines its primary meaning and can be joined to other roots, prefixes, and suffixes. After the root word, suffixes function as modifiers.

Q. Where can I download the list of prefixes suffixes and root words PDF?

Candidates can download the root words in english vocabulary PDF, english root words list PDF, prefix and suffix words in english PDF, root words of english pdf, list of root words in english pdf, root word pdf in hindi and list of prefixes suffixes and root words PDF can refer to the article given here.

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Last updated:

April 2, 2023

How do you feel about shortcuts?

By learning short and simple pieces of English words, also known as word roots, you can unlock an understanding of thousands of words and boost your English vocabulary!

In this post, we’re going to share 30 English word roots from Latin and Greek to help you improve your comprehension of English by providing a shortcut to learning.

Contents

  • What is a Root?
  • 30 Common English Word Roots from Greek and Latin
    • Roots of Greek Origin
    • Roots of Latin Origin
  • How to Use Roots to Form and Understand English Words
    • The Top 10 Suffixes You’ll See with Roots
    • The Top 10 Prefixes You’ll See with Roots
  • The Matching Game for Practicing English Roots, Suffixes and Prefixes


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What is a Root?

First, we should talk about what “root” means.

A root is the basic unit of a word.

Linguists, scientists who study language, refer to the root as the base or foundation of a word. If you really think about it, the name “root” makes sense. A real, literal root is the base of a tree, connecting the tree to the ground. The root of a word connects that word to some meaning.

To learn about other parts of words and their relationships with roots, check out this informative page. 

30 Common English Word Roots from Greek and Latin

If you aren’t sure that you want to memorize hundreds of roots, then memorize just these 30 roots. These are some of the most useful and common roots that you’ll learn!

You’ll see these popping up everywhere in words you both know and don’t know. If you wouldn’t have had any idea what they meant before you had learned the roots, then you’ll see the value of learning roots. 

Roots of Greek Origin

Greek Root Meaning Example
Psych Mind Psychology (the study of the mind)
Phil Love Cinephile (movie lover)
Mega Great, large Megaphone (a large device which makes your voice louder)
Mono Single Monochromatic (having only one color)
Chron Time Chronological (organized by time of occurrence)
Bio Life Biology (the study of living things)
Theo God Theology (the study of religion)
Phone Sound Telephone (a device used to talk with other people)
Auto Self Automatic (happens on its own)
Poly Many Polyglot (person who can speak many languages)

Roots of Latin Origin

Latin Root Meaning Example
Struc Build Structure (parts or pieces built into something complex)
Vac Empty Vacuous (having an empty mind, not thinking)
Ver True Veritable (real, true, authentic)
Scrib/Scrip Write Prescription (a written note signed by a doctor which provides instructions for medicine or treatment)
Luc Light Lucid (bright, clear)
Mal Bad Malevolent (wanting to do bad or evil things)
Mar Sea Marina (a port or harbor for boats and ships)
Manu/Mani Hand Manicure (a treatment to make your hands look clean, neat and polished)
Min Small Miniscule (very small in size)
Fort Strong Fortitude (strength)
Mort Death Mortician (someone who prepares dead bodies to be buried)
Nas/Nat Birth Nascent (coming into existence, something just recently created)
Trans Across Transatlantic (something which crosses the Atlantic Ocean)
Voc/Vos Voice Vociferous (loud, someone who speaks loudly or talks a lot)
Aqua Water Aquarium (a tank of water where fish are kept as pets)
Bene Good Benevolent (wanting good things for people, generous, kind)
Omni All Omniscient (knowing everything)
Sens/Sent Feel Sentimental (emotional, attaching emotional value to things)
Terr Earth Terrarium (a container for land animals kept as pets, often containing rocks, dirt or sand)
Vid/Vis See Visible (able to be seen)

How to Use Roots to Form and Understand English Words

Now that you have a list of great roots to memorize, you’ll need a list of the most common prefixes and suffixes to go with it.

Why?

Prefixes and suffixes are two things that can be attached to roots to form words.

Suffixes can be attached at the ends of roots to change either the definition or the part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) of the word. So, suffixes can change verbs into nouns, nouns into adjectives and so on.

To create words you put a root together with either a suffix or prefix. Examples:

photo (root for light) + graph (suffix for written) = photograph (light that is written)

re (prefix for again) + flect (root for bend) = reflect (to bend again)

Now you might think these are funny ways to define the words “photograph” and “reflect.” This is because using Latin to define words means that you’re using very direct, literal translations.

However funny these translations might sound, there’s always a clue there that shows what the true meaning is in English.

The Top 10 Suffixes You’ll See with Roots

Top Greek Suffixes 

Greek Suffix Meaning
phil/phile fear, fearing
chrome color
logy study of
ism act, practice or result of
some body
meter a measurement
nomy systematized knowledge of

Top Latin Suffixes 

Latin Suffix Meaning
able is, can be
act state, quality
cidal/cide killer, a killing

The Top 10 Prefixes You’ll See with Roots

Top Greek Prefixes

Greek Prefix Meaning
amphi both, about, around
andro man, male
anti against, opposed
mono one, single, alone

Top Latin Prefixes

Latin Prefix Meaning
ad to, attached to
semi half
non not
pre before
inter between
co with, together

As you can see, learning roots, suffixes and prefixes is a quick shortcut to learn and understand words in English.

Immersing yourself in the language and seeing how it’s used by native speakers is a great way to learn vocabulary and see word roots. There are many great TV shows in English that you could watch, or you could even try a language-learning program like FluentU.

FluentU features an array of bite-sized authentic English videos, like inspiring talks and movie trailers, each with interactive subtitles that you can hover over to see more information about the words used. The subtitles will help you identify new vocabulary that you can add to your personalized flashcard decks to practice.

By immersing yourself in native media, not only will you be able to expand your vocabulary by identifying roots and common trends, but you’ll also get to see them used in context! 

The Matching Game for Practicing English Roots, Suffixes and Prefixes

As you know, practice makes perfect, and this also applies when learning roots, suffixes and prefixes.

Play this with a partner to see who can win the most points!

a. Make flashcards of the roots, suffixes and prefixes you want to memorize. You’ll also need a dictionary.

b. Mix up the flashcards into two groups, keeping suffixes and prefixes together in one group with the roots in another separate group.

c. Place the two groups in two separate piles face down in their separate groups. You’ll now have all the roots on the right side and prefixes/suffixes on the left side.

d. Pick a card from each group and turn both cards face up.

e. Form a word and write down what you think the definition should be according to the meaning of the root and the suffix or prefix you chose. Also write down whether you believe it is or isn’t a real word in the English language.

f. Once you’ve made your two guesses, look the word up in the dictionary to see if it really exists. If it does and the meaning you guessed is correct, then two points for you! If it’s not a real word, but you got the root and prefix/suffix meanings correct, then one point for you.

So there you have it, folks.

You’ve got a great guide to English word roots and how to use them!

Get out there and see how much English you understand now.


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CollectionThe Wide World of Word OriginsWhere in the World Did These Words Come From?

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  • 22 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Arabic
  • 15 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Hindi
  • 15 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Yiddish
  • 15 WordsMore English Words Derived from Yiddish
  • 15 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Gaelic
  • 10 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Old Norse
  • 15 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Indigenous Languages of the Americas
  • 15 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Quechua
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CollectionPower SuffixesFlex Your Vocab Muscles with These Essential Word Endings

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  • 25 Words-able
  • 18 Words-acy
  • 14 Words-arian
  • 12 Words-escence
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  • 20 Words-ology
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CollectionPower PrefixesBoost Your Word Knowledge with These Essential Affixes

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  • 10 Wordsanti-
  • 10 Wordscon-
  • 15 Wordsdis-
  • 10 Wordsex-
  • 10 Wordsfore-
  • 10 Wordsinter-
  • 10 Wordsmis-
  • 10 Wordspre-
  • 10 Wordspro-
  • 25 Wordsre-
  • 10 Wordssub-
  • 10 Wordssuper-
  • 10 Wordstrans-
  • 20 Wordsun-
  • 10 Wordsuni-

Morphology & Roots Vocabulary Lists:

English Words Derived from Indigenous Languages of the Americas

Here are 15 common English words whose roots come from indigenous languages of the Americas. The fate of the people who spoke these languages varies greatly, from tribes lost to history (that we only know about through records of other tribes) to the Guarani, whose language at last count had over 4 million speakers in Paraguay. All of these peoples, whatever their current status, have contributed their ideas and their perspectives through the English words below. Many of these terms have to do with animals and foods to be found in nature, but the Algonquian roots of «tuxedo» may come as a surprise! Read on below for tales of many more English words from indigenous sources.

15 Words

Perfect Ten: Dec, Cent, Mille

These words derive from the Latin roots dec («ten»), cent («hundred»), and mille («thousand»). Start a practice session and see if you can score 100 percent!

14 Words

Power Suffix: -scope

Have a close look at this list of words that include the suffix -scope, meaning «an instrument for observing.» The Latinized scopium derives from the Greek skopein, «to look, to examine.»

10 Words

English Words Derived from Arabic

All of the English words on this lists have Arabic origins. While some, like caliph and imam, clearly come from Arabic sources, you might be surprised to discover that algebra, chemistry, and zero are also derived from Arabic. Learn these words that contribute to the richness and variety of the English language.

22 Words

Power Suffix: -acy

Derived from Latin, the English suffix -acy in English means «the state of» or «the quality or condition of.»

18 Words

More English Words Derived from Yiddish

English has borrowed many words from Yiddish, which is itself an amalgam of German, Russian, Hebrew and many other languages. Here are 15 more English words that derive from Yiddish — some of which are very common, and some of which might be less familiar to you. Looking for more Yiddish-derived words? Check out our original list of English Words Derived from Yiddish.

15 Words

Body Parts: Neur («Nerve»)

You’ve got a lot of nerve — so learn this list of words that derive the Latin word neuron, meaning «nerve.» Want to dissect more English words related to anatomy? Here are links to our complete set of Body Language lists: Corp («Body») / Capit, Capt («Head») / Or, Os («Mouth») / Dent, Dont («Tooth») / Gastr, Gastro («Stomach») / Neur («Nerve») / Man («Hand») / Ped, Pod («Foot») / Derm («Skin») / Carn («Flesh») / Os, Osteo («Bone») / Cor, Cord, Cardio («Heart») / Psych («Mind»)

12 Words

Speak Your Mind: Anim

Learn these words derived from the Latin root anim, which has many meanings, including «breath,» «mind,» «spirit,» and «courage.»

16 Words

Words to Live By: Bio

Are you ready to learn the facts of life? Then review these words from the Greek root bio, meaning «life» or «way of living.»

21 Words

Case Closed: Clud, Clus

Open your mind and practice this list of words derived from the Latin roots clud and clus, meaning «shut, enclose, or confine.»

29 Words

Break It Down: Cata

Learn these words derived from the Greek root kata-, which has a range of meanings including «down,» «through,» «against» «across,» «along with,» and «wrongly.»

15 Words

Power Prefix: dis-

Meaning «not» or «opposite of,» this common prefix is used in words like disagree («to be of different or conflicting opinions») and disgust («a strong feeling of dislike»). Learn these words that contain the prefix dis-. Want to increase your prefix power? Learn our complete set of Power Prefix lists: anti-, con-, dis-, ex-, fore-, inter-, mis-, pre-, pro-, sub-, super-, trans-, uni-

15 Words

Power Suffix: -ful

The suffix -ful means «characterized by» or «full of.» For example, a joyful song is characterized by joy or happiness. Learn these words that include the suffix -ful.

15 Words

Power Suffix: -less

The suffix -less, meaning «without,» is added to nouns and verbs to form adjectives. For example, a hopeless situation is a situation without hope. Learn these words that use the suffix less.

15 Words

Learning root words in English is not only helpful to fetch good marks in the verbal ability section of competitive exams but also help to hone up the English vocabulary skills in general. 

English is one of the important sections of various Government exams like Bank, SSC, RRB, etc. and aspirants preparing for these examinations are required to have a good vocabulary to ace this section. 

Now, the English language being vast and comprehensive, it is difficult to memorise each and every word and their meaning. So, English root words can help you to understand the meaning of all the words easily. 

Therefore, this article will provide the list of root words with detailed explanation. Candidates will also be able to download the root words pdf for convenient preparation.

English Root Words PDF:-Download PDF Here

To understand vocabulary, we need to understand each word and history attached to it. English is considered as a global language because it is a culmination of all popular languages like Spanish, Latin, Greek etc. Learning the root words will make it easy for the aspirants to work out the meaning of the new words as they encounter them.

What is the root word?

A root word is a word that forms the basis of new words by adding affixes (prefixes or suffixes). It is the most basic part of any word. 

The basic structure of roots are either affixed or suffixed and then they become a new word. An understanding of the usual root words will help make a good guess about the meaning of newly known words and will, in turn, strengthen your vocabulary.

Check out General English for competitive exams for various conceptual based topics along with their explanations. 

Let’s check out various root words in English, their combination and different new words formed by them.

Candidates can go through the video on English Vocabulary – Root Words to understand the concept.

English Root Word List

  1. Root Word – Mal – a Latin word, Meaning – bad or evil. 

English words having ‘mal’ root word –

  • Malignment – defame something badly
  • Malice – evil intention
  • Maltreat. – Treat someone/something badly
  • Malfunction – working badly
  • Dismal – A gloomy situation
  • Maleficent – Someone who deliberately try causing harm to someone

*All the words having ‘mal’ root word gives a negative connotation.

Candidates can check the List of Homophones/Homonyms in the given link to prepare for the English section. 

2. Root Word – Phobia, Meaning – Fear or dislike

English words formed of it –

  • Demophobia – demo is people so one who fears public speaking have demophobia
  • Zoophobia – people who fear animals.
  • Theophobia – Thei is God/Religion, so a person who fears religion has theophobia.
  • Pedophobia – Pedo means child, so a person who doesn’t like children has pedophobia.
  • Gynophobia – a person who dislikes girls/women because Gyno is a girl/woman. 

You can check the List of Phobias in the given link which is important for the general awareness section as well. 

3. Root word – Fin – a Latin word, Meaning – to end something, limit, or boundary. 

English words containing ‘Fin’ in them –

  • Infinity – No limit
  • Infinitesimal – immeasurably small
  • Confinement – concluding state of pregnancy
  • Definite – Precise

We can see, the words mean to end or limit something. Examples:  We take a final exam at the end of the course. The one who watches reality TV Shows, see the Finale episode or the final episode of the season.In a race, the Finish line is known as the end of it.

4. Root word – Phil – a Greek word, Meaning – to Love. 

English word with root word ‘Phil’-

  • Bibliophile – the one who loves books
  • Philologist – word lover who is a scholar of language
  • Philanthropist – is a person who loves mankind. 
  • Philosopher – A person who will love wisdom
  • Philodendron – A tree that curls up while growing and are called love trees.

So we can see all the words with root words are associated with love. Did you know the city of Philadelphia actually means the city of brotherly love.

5. Root word – Logy a Greek word, Meaning – to study something

Words formed with the root word ‘logy’ are –

  • Analogy – the study of comparison of two or more things
  • Anthropology – the study of human beings as ‘anthrop’ means human.
  • Theology – ‘theo’ means God/religion so theology is the study of religion
  • Morphology – the study of structures is morphology. Morph means structures.

The above-given examples for ‘logy’ root words form a part of one-word substitution which is again an important topic to study in the English language section. Candidates can go the category-wise list of one-word substitution for assistance in preparation.

6. Root word – Thie, a Greek word – Meaning – God/Religion

English words formed using the root word ‘Thei’ are –

  • Theist – ‘ist’ is follower, so theist is one who believes in God
  • Atheist – A [person who do not believe in God
  • Pantheist – Pan means that is all over, so the person who believes in all God across all religion is Pantheist
  • Monotheist – Mono connotes one, so those who believe in one god are monotheists. 

Also, check the One Word substitution Questions & Answers asked in various government exams.

7. Root word – Fact – coming from the Latin language – Meaning – something that is “made” or “done”. Let’s check the different words with this root word –

  • Factory: is a place where something is “made”.
  • Manufactured: A place where something is made too. Manufactured originally means something that is made in large scale.
  • Artifact – something that is made by human skills
  • Factor – is a “maker”. For example, a beautiful painting done by someone is a deciding factor who gained the rank of a master- painter.
  • Benefactor – Someone who does good for other people
  • Stupefaction –  something that made you completely surprised
  • Petrifaction – a superpower that makes people turn into stones by just gazing at them
  • Malefactor – someone that does evil to human
  • Satisfaction – done enough

All the words formed of the root word ‘fact’ connotes something done or made. 

8. Root Word – Dict/Dic – a Latin word – Meaning– Say

English words containing Dict/Dic in them –

  • Prediction – say something beforehand.  
  • Dictated – say something to someone
  • Verdict – speaking or saying the truth
  • Indicate – make known about something by saying
  • Contradict – say something against
  • Dictionary – a book that tells us how to say a certain word correctly.
  • Addicted – when we want to say or declare that we are in love with certain things. 

Candidates preparing for various government exams can check the following topics for preparation:

  • Idioms And Phrases
  • List of Synonyms and Antonyms
  • Letter Writing Format
  • Active And Passive Voice Rules

9. Root Word – Cide, a Latin word, Meaning a person or something that kills, Act of killing.

There are many words in the English language formed with the root word Cide –

  • Patricide – Patri means Father, so the killing of one’s father is Patricide
  • Uxoricide – Husband who kills his wife, Uxor means Wife. 
  • Maritricide – Marit is husband, so Maritricide is killing of one’s husband
  • Infanticide – Infant is a child, the killing of a child is infanticide. 

So, it can be understood that the words with root word Cide connote killing of someone or something.

10. Root Word – Anti, a Greek word, Meaning – Opposite or against

The English words formed of the root word ‘Anti’ –

  • Antiseptic – working against infection
  • Antidote – working against the effect of the poison
  • Antisocial – opposite to social norms
  • Antioxidants – compounds that work against the chemical reactions that damage the cells of an organism. 

Remember, anything with the root word ‘anti’ is supposed to do against or opposite of something.  

Given below are a few links that give questions and answers of important verbal ability topics that are asked in various government examinations, candidates can check these for practice and revision.

For more such questions and answers on different topics or to get more concepts and rules-based explanations of various topics covered in the Verbal Ability section, check the linked page.  

Root Words That are Common English Words

There are certain root words that form a standalone word of its own or as part of other common words in the English language. Given below are some common English words that are root words as well:

  • Act – meaning – to move or do, other English words-  actor, acting, reenact
  • Crypt – Meaning – to hide, other English words –  cryptic, apocryphal, cryptography
  • Ego – meaning – Self-importance, Other words formed of it egotist, egocentric, egomaniac
  • Legal – meaning – related to the law, other words in English – illegal, legalities, paralegal
  • Form – meaning – shape, words formed from it – conform, reform, formulate
  • Phobia – meaning – fear – words formed from this root word are already discussed above.
  • Norm – meaning – typical, other English words – abnormal, paranormal, normality.

Given below is the Root words list that originates from either Latin or Greek words and forms the basis of different English words. 

Root Words from the Greek Language
Root Words Meaning Examples
meter/metr measure thermometer, perimeter
tele far off television, telephone
psycho soul; spirit psychology, psychic
therm heat thermal, thermometer
techno art; science; skill technique, technological
pseudo not genuine, false pseudonym, pseudoscience
morph form; shape morphology, morphing
photo/phos light photograph, phosphorous
phon sound phone, symphony
hydr water hydration, dehydrate
mono one monologue, monotonous
mis/miso hate misanthrope, misogyny
micro small microbe, microscope
hetero different heteronym, heterogeneous
scope viewing instrument microscope, telescope
hypo below; beneath hypothermia, hypothetical
homo same homonym, homogenous
chron time chronological, chronic
gram thing written epigram, telegram
auto self autobiography, automobile
dyna power dynamic, dynamite
bio life biology, biography
dys bad; hard; unlucky dysfunctional, dyslexic
phobia fear claustrophobia, phobic
logy study of biology, psychology
graph writing graphic, phonograph
nym name antonym, synonym
anthrop man; human; humanity anthropologist, philanthropy

Candidates preparing for various government exams can check the relevant links given below:

  • Free Online Mock Tests For Government exams
  • Previous Year Question Papers WIth Solution For Government exams

The table below gives the English root words taken from the Latin language:

English Root Words From the Latin Language
Root Words Meaning Examples
aqua water aquarium, aquamarine
bene good benefactor, benevolent
circum around circumference, circumstance
duc/duct to lead conduct, induce
cent one hundred century, percent
mal bad malevolent, malefactor
mater mother material, maternity
form shape conform, reform
ambi both ambiguous, ambidextrous
dict to say dictation, dictator
mit to send transmit, admit
fort strength fortitude, fortress
fract to break fracture, fraction
struct to build destruction, restructure
scrib/scribe to write inscription, prescribe
ject throw projection, rejection
multi many multimedia, multiple
fac to do; to make factory, manufacture
aud to hear audience, audition
sect/sec to cut bisect, section
jud judge judicial, prejudice
mort death mortal, mortician
pater father paternal, paternity
port to carry portable, transportation
contra/counter against contradict, encounter
rupt to break bankrupt, disruption
voc voice; to call vocalize, advocate
spect to look inspection, spectator
vid/vis to see video, televise
sent to feel; to send consent, resent

English Root Words List:-Download PDF Here

Candidates preparing for the various government exams can refer to the detailed exam syllabus in the links given below:

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