Greek word for roots

In English grammar, a root is a word or portion of a word from which other words grow, usually through the addition of prefixes and suffixes. By learning root words, you can decipher unfamiliar words, expand your vocabulary, and become a better English speaker. 

The Roots of Words

Most words in the English language are based on words from ancient Greek and Latin. The root of the word «vocabulary,» for example, is ​voc, a Latin root meaning «word» or «name.» This root also appears in such words as «advocacy,» «convocation,» «evocative,» «vocal,» and «vowel.» By dissecting words such as these, etymologists can study how a word has evolved over time and tell us about the cultures they came from.

In some cases, root words might be slightly transformed en route to becoming part of words that we’re familiar with. In the above example, «vowel» is a word that’s clearly related to the voc root and its family of derivative words, and yet the «c» in «voc» is not present. There are several reasons for this sort of pattern, and the changes often depend on what language each individual word comes from, but it serves as a reminder that not every word with the same root will look exactly the same.

Root words are also useful for creating new words, especially in technology and medicine, where new innovations occur frequently. Think of the Greek root word tele, which means «far,» and inventions that traverse long distances, such as the telegraph, telephone, and television. The word «technology» itself is a combination of two other Greek root words, techne, meaning «skill» or «art,» and logos, or «study.»

Because several modern languages share some of the same ancestor languages, it’s not entirely uncommon for several related languages to share root words. For instance, the Latin root voc, described above, is shared by several Romance languages. Connections between languages can be found in the shared roots between them, although one always has to be wary of false cognates — that is, words that sound like they have the same roots (and thus related meanings) but actually don’t.

Greek Root Words

The table below defines and illustrates 25 of the most common Greek roots.

Root Meaning Examples
anti against antibacterial, antidote, antithesis
ast(er) star asteroid, astronomy, astronaut
auto self automatic, automate, autobiograph
biblio book bibliography, bibliophile
bio life biography, biology, biodegradable
chrome color monochromatic, phytochrome
chrono time chronic, synchronize, chronicle
dyna power dynasty, dynamic, dynamite
geo earth geography, geology, geometry
gno to know agnostic, acknowledge
graph write autograph, graphic, demographic
hydr water dehydrate, hydrant, hydropower
kinesis movement kinetic, photokinesis
log thought logic, apologize, analogy
logos word, study astrology, biology, theologian
narc sleep narcotic, narcolepsy
path feel empathy, pathetic, apathy
phil love philosophy, bibliophile, philanthropy
phon sound microphone, phonograph, telephone
photo light photograph, photocopy, photon
schem plan scheme, schematic
syn together, with synthetic, photosynthesis
tele far telescope, telepathy, television
tropos turning heliotrope, tropical

Latin Root Words

The table below defines and illustrates 25 of the most common Latin roots.

Root Meaning Examples
ab to move away abstract, abstain, aversion
acer, acri bitter acrid, acrimony, exacerbate
aqu water aquarium, aquatic, aqualung
audi hear audible, audience, auditorium
bene good benefit, benign, benefactor
brev short abbreviate, brief
circ round circus, circulate
dict say dictate, edict, dictionary
doc teach document, docile, doctrinal
duc lead, make deduce, produce, educate
fund bottom founder, foundation, funding
gen to birth gene, generate, generous
hab to have ability, exhibit, inhabit
jur law jury, justice, justify
lev to lift levitate, elevate, leverage
luc, lum light lucid, illuminate, translucent
manu hand manual, manicure, manipulate
mis, mit send missile, transmit, permit
omni all omnivorous, omnipotent, omniscent
pac peace pacify, pacific, pacifist
port carry export, import, important
quit silent, restive tranquil, requiem, acquit
scrib, script to write script, proscribe, describe
sens to feel sensitive, sentient, resent
terr earth terrain, territory, extraterrestrial
tim to fear timid, timorous
vac empty vacuum, vacate, evacuate
vid, vis to see video, vivid, invisible

​Understanding the meanings of the common word roots can help us deduce the meanings of new words that we encounter. But be careful: root words can have more than one meaning as well as various shades of meaning. In addition, words that look similar may derive from different roots.

In addition, a handful of root words can stand on their own as whole words in and of themselves. This list includes words such as photo, kinesis, chrome, port, and script. Words like this tend to have related meanings on their own, then can also act as roots for longer, more complex words.

Sources

  • Bryant, Alice, and Robbins, Jill. «Grow Your Vocabulary by Learning Root Words.» VOANews.com, 28 November 2017.
  • Grammarly staff. «Why You Should Learn Roots.» Grammarly.com, 6 February 2016.
  • McCammon, Ellen. «50 GRE Words You Should Know.» PrepScholar.com, 8 February 2017.

root

Translations for root and their definitions

ρίζα
     1. n. (botany) root (of a plant)
     2. n. (grammar) root
     3. n. (mathematics) root

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GREEK WORD STEMS

Greek and Latin Root Words *

Root
Meaning
English Words
arch ancient archetype
aster/astra star astronomy
audi hear audible
bene good/well benefit
bio life biology
brev short abbreviation
chloro green chlorophyll
chrono time chronology
derm skin dermatologist
dic/dict speak dictionary
fer carry transfer
fix fasten affix
gen birth generate
geo earth geography
graph write graphic
hemo blood hemoglobin
herb plants herbaceous
hydro water hydrate
jur/just law jury
log/logue word/thought dialogue
luc light lucid
manu hand manual
meter/metr measure thermometer
neg no negate
ocu eye ocular
olig few oligarchy
op/oper work operation
osteo bone osteoporosis
path feeling sympathy
ped child pediatrics
phil love philosophy
phys body/nature physical
pod foot podiatrist
proto first prototype
pseudo alse pseudonym
scrib/script rite scribble
sect cut dissect
sol alone solitary
struct build construct
tact touch contact
tele far off telephone
ter/terr earth territory
vac empty vacant
ver truth verify
verb word verbal
vid/vis see video

Greek and Latin Prefixes-/-Suffixes *

Prefix/Suffix
Meaning
English Words
ad- to addict
-al relating to maternal
ambi- both ambidextrous
ante- before antecedent
anti- against ntifreeze
-arium place of aquarium
auto- self autobiography
centi- hundred centimeter
circum- around circumvent
con- with concert
de- from/down depart
deci- ten decimeter
di- two diameter
dis- opposite disable
-dom quality/state freedom
ex- out exit
hetero- different heterogeneous
hypo- too little hypoactive
-ic relating to poetic
-ile quality/state juvenile
in- not invalid
inter- between interstate
intra- within intramurals
-ism quality/state catholicism
-ist one who practices biologist
macro- large macrobiologist
micro- small microbiologist
milli- thousand millipede
mis- bad miscarriage
mono- single monotheism
nano- billion nanosecond
neo- new neonatology
-ology study of biology
omni- all omniscient
-ous quality/state nebulous
pan- all pantheon
per- throughout pervade
peri- all around periscope
poly- many polygon
post- after postpone
pre- before precede
pro- forward progress
re- again reappear
retro- back retrogress
sub- under submarine
super- more than supermarket
sym- together symbol
-tion quality/state preservation
-ular relating to cellular
un- not unwilling

Prefix

Meaning

Example

a, an

without, not

amoral, anarchy, anhydrous, Anabaptist, anachronism

ab, abs, a

apart, away from

abnormal, abduct, abductor (muscle), abscission .See ad in Prefixes ,

ad

toward

adhere, adductor (muscle) . See ab in P refixes section), adumbrate

agere

act

agent, agency, agenda

amphi, ambi

round, both sides

amphitheater, amphibian, ambidextrous, ambivalent

ante

before

antedate, anteroom, antecedent, anterior

anthro

man

anthropology, anthropomorphic

anti

against

antipathy, antitank, anticlimax

aqua

water

aquarium, aqueous

archaios

ancient

archeology, archetype, archaic, archeozoic

archos

leader, first, chief

monarchy, oligarchy, anarchy, archetype, architect

audio

hear

audiophile, audiometer, auditory

auto

self

automatic, automaton, auto-immune

bi

two

bi-partisan, bisexual, biennial, binary, bicuspid, bivalve

bene

well, favorable

benefit, benevolent, benefactor, beneficent

bible

book

bibliography, Bible, bibliophile

bio

life

biology, biography, bio-active

caco

Bad

cacophony

cide

kill

homicide, parricide, germicidal, ecocide

circum

around

circumference, circumlocution, circumnavigate

constitutus

stand

constitution, statute

corpus

body

corpse, corporeal punishment, corpus callosum

cracy

rule

democracy, theocrat, technocracy

credo

belief

credit, (see also roots section)

demos

people

democracy, demographic

di

two, double

dimorphism, dicotyledon, diatomic

dia

across, through

diagonal, dialectic, dialogue, diagnosis

dis

not, apart

disperse, disinherit, disenfranchise, distend

dominus

lord

dominant, dominion

dynasthai

be able

dynamic, dynamo, dynasty, dynamite

ego

I, self

ego, egomaniac, egocentric,

epi

upon, over

epidermis, epidemic, epigram, epitaph, epithet, epiphyte, epistasis, epinephrine, epiphysis

ex

out

exotic, exterior, extraneous, extemporaneous, exophalmic, exogenous, exothermic, exoskeleton

federis (see also Roots section)

league, pact

federation, confederate

frater

brother

fraternize, fraternity, fraternal, fratricide

geo

earth

geology, geography, geocentric, geomancy

graph (see also Roots section)

write, record

graphic, graphite, graphology,

hetero

mixed, unlike

heterogeneous, heterosexual, heterodox, heterodont, hetero atom, heterocyclic, heterozygous,

idem

the same

identity, idiopathic, I, individual

ideo

idea

ideology, ideation, ideal

idios

one’s own

idiom, idiosyncrasy, idiopathic

in

in

incarcerate, incorporate, inculcate, induction, inductance, indigenous, indicator, inspiration

in, im

not

incredible, ignoble, inglorious, inhospitable, infinite, infinitesimal, immoral

inter

between

interact, interstellar, interpret, interstitial

legis (lex)

law

legal, legislature

lexis

word

lexicon, lexicography

liber

free, book

liberty, library, liberal

locus

place

locality, local, circumlocution

macro

large

macroeconomics, macroscopic, macrophage

mania (see Roots section also)

obsession

maniac, Beatlemania

meter (see Roots section also)

measure

metronome, speedometer, odometer

micro

small

microscope, micron, micrometer, microorganism

mittere, mitto (see Roots section also)

send

mission, transmit, remit

mono

one, single

monocle, monopoly, monogamy, monovalent, monomania, monarchy

mortis

death

mortician, mortuary, moribund, morbid

nomen

name

noble, ignominy, nomenclature, nominal

olig

few

oligarchy, oligopoly

pater

father

paternal, paternity, patricide

ped (see Roots section also)

foot

pedestrian, pedal, pedicure, podiatrist

peri

around

peripatetic, periscope, perineum, peritoneum

phage (see Roots section also)

eat

phagocyte, phagocytosis

philo

love

philosophy, philanthropy

phobos (see Roots section)

phon (see Roots section)

polein

sell

monopoly

polis (see Roots section also)

city

political, metropolitan

poly (see Roots section also)

many

polygamy, polyphonic, hoi polloi

porto

carry

porter, export

post

after

post script (p.s.), ex post facto, post hoc , post-mortem

pre

before

premier, preview, premium, prescient

pro

before, in favor of

project, projectile,

psyche

mind, soul

psychology

publicus

people

public, republic, pub, publican

riparia

river

riparian

scope

examine

microscope, oscilloscope

scribo (see Roots section also)

write

transcribe, scribe, script

solus

alone

solo, solitary

subter

under, secret

subterfuge, subtle, subaltern, subterranean

sin (sys before b, p, or m)

together, with

synchronize, symphony , sympathy, syncretic, syncope

tele

distance

telegraph, telephone, teleology

trans

across

transport, transcend, transmogrify

utilis

useful

utility, utilitarian

vide, visibil, vis see video, vision, visible

1. ANTI (O) – against, opposite 

2. ASTRO – star 

3. AUTO – self 

4. BI – two 

5. BIO – life, living things 

6. CHROM – color 

7. GAMY – marriage, relationships 

8. GENUS – race, family, group 

9. GEO – earth, land 

10. GRAM – written down, drawn, recorded 

11. GRAPH – writes, written down 

12. GYMNOS – exercise 

13. GYRO – circle, sphere 

14. HEMI – half 

15. HETERO – different 

16. HOMO – same, human 

17. HYDRO – water 

18. MACRO – large 

19. METER/METRY – measure 

20. MICRO – small 

21. MONO – single, one 

22. NYM – name 

23. OLOGY/LOGY – study of, science of 

24. PATH/PATHY – feelings 

25. PHONE/PHONO – sound, voice 

26. PHOTO – light 

27. POLY – many, much 

28. PSYCH – mind 

29. SCOPE – instrument for seeing, observing 

30. SPHERE – ball, globe 

31. SYM/SYN – same, similar 

32. TELE – far away, distant 

33. THERM/O, AL – heat 

34. TRI – three 

35. ZOO — animal

The English language is a versatile and rich tapestry that combines influences from many different languages. As these influences leave their mark on English, it gets fuller and more interesting, giving us new vocabulary to describe different things and express different emotions.

In this article, we’ll be looking specifically at words that are derived from Greek, focusing particularly on Greek roots, suffixes, and prefixes.

Greek Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes, did you know bubble, StudySmarterFig. 1 — A lot of the English language has been influenced by Greek.

Before we dive in, let’s look at some quick definitions:

Root, Prefix, and Suffix Definitions

What does each of these terms mean? Before we explore the specific ways in which Greek roots, suffixes, and prefixes have influenced the English language, we must first understand what these terms refer to.

Root word

A root word is the unaltered, basic form of a word before it has any suffixes or prefixes attached to it that change its meaning.

‘Fox,’ ‘Jump,’ and ‘Face’ are some examples of root words.

Suffix

A suffix is a morpheme (a small piece of language that cannot be broken down any further) that is added to the end of a root word. Suffixes add to or change the meaning of the root word.

‘-es’, ‘-ing’, and ‘-ation’ are some examples of suffixes (‘Boxes‘, ‘Fishing‘, ‘Aggravation‘).

Prefix

A prefix is a type of morpheme added to the beginning of a root word. Prefixes also add to or change the meaning of the root word.

‘-un’, ‘-hyper’, and ‘-in’ are some examples of prefixes (‘Unrealistic’, ‘Hyperactive’, ‘Insecure’).

Top Tip: If you’re finding it tricky to tell if something is a suffix or a prefix, think about the word ‘prefix’ itself. It begins with ‘-pre’, which means ‘before.’ For example, if you go out for a meal that has been ‘prepaid,’ this means the meal was paid for before you ate it.

Greek Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes Examples

Now that we’ve got our definitions down, we can move on to looking at some examples of Greek words, suffixes, and prefixes that have been assimilated into the English language.

Greek Roots Examples

  • ‘Anthrop’ meaning ‘human’

  • ‘Bio’ meaning ‘life’

  • ‘Chrome’ meaning ‘color’

  • ‘Auto’ meaning ‘self’

Greek Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes, DNA strands, StudySmarterFig. 2 — Many scientific terms come from Greek.

Greek Suffixes Examples

  • ‘-ism’ meaning ‘the act or state of’

  • ‘-graph’ meaning ‘a written or drawn representation’

  • ‘-logy’ meaning ‘the study, theory, or science of something’

Greek Prefixes Examples

  • ‘-anti’ meaning ‘against’

  • ‘-pan’ meaning ‘all’

  • ‘-micro’ meaning ‘small’

Greek Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes Words

In the above section, we can see examples of each of the three parts of a word: the root, the prefix, and the suffix. But how do these parts work together to form new words?

Here are some examples using our Greek roots from the above section:

  • Greek root ‘anthrop’ + Greek suffix ‘-ology’ = ‘anthropology’, which in English refers to the study of humans.
  • Greek root ‘bio’ + ‘Greek suffix ‘-ology’ = ‘biology’, which in English is the study of living things or the study of life.
  • Greek prefix ‘mono’ + Greek root ‘chrome’ = ‘monochrome’, which in English refers to when something is only one color.
  • Greek root ‘auto’ + Old French root ‘mobile’ = ‘automobile’, which in English means ‘self-moving’ and refers to a car.

Here are some examples using our Greek suffixes:

  • English root ‘capital’ + Greek suffix ‘-ism’ = ‘capitalism’, which in English refers to the economic system used by most countries in the world.
  • Greek root ‘seismos’ + Greek suffix ‘-graph’ = ‘seismograph’, which in English is a method of measuring and recording earthquakes.
  • Greek root ‘physic’ + Greek suffix ‘-ology’ = ‘physiology’, which in English is the study of the functions of living things.

Here are some examples using our Greek prefixes:

  • Greek prefix ‘anti’ + English root ‘histamine’ = ‘antihistamine’, which in English refers to a medicine used to relieve allergy symptoms.
  • Greek prefix ‘pan’ + Latin root ‘cardiacus’ = ‘pancardiac’, which in English refers to something involving the heart organ.
  • Greek prefix ‘micro’ + Greek root ‘scope’ = ‘microscope’, which in English refers to an optical instrument used for observing minuscule objects.

Greek Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes Review

As you can see in the examples used above, Greek roots, suffixes, and prefixes can be combined with roots, suffixes, and prefixes from different languages to create the English words we use today. Most of the words in the examples above are derived completely from Greek, or a combination of Greek and Latin/ French.

Why, then, does English have so many words comprised of Greek roots, suffixes, and prefixes mixed with other languages?

Greek Influence on the English Language

Much of the influence of Greek on English is rooted in the Renaissance, when European society (including England) placed a great deal of significance on Ancient Greek literature and drama, and Greek philosophy.

What was the Renaissance?

A period of cultural, economic, and political upheaval after the Middle Ages, between the 14th and 17th centuries.

Ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle were held in high esteem during the Renaissance, and many ancient Greek philosophies made their way into English law.

Plato believed that the rule of law is better than that of the individual, meaning that all members of society should abide by set laws, regardless of their hierarchical position in society. Due to the existence of laws, people cannot act in a way unregulated by consequences, and the existence of these consequences forms the basis of justice and judgment.

The law is not the only aspect of modern society influenced by Ancient Greece. Works of Ancient Greek literature and drama, such as Homer’s The Odyssey and Sophocles’ Oedipus, are still widely revered and studied today, despite being written and published over 2000 years ago.

Some literature-based words that came from Greek include: ‘irony,’ ‘climax,’ and ‘protagonist.’

Ancient Greek disciplines such as medicine, mathematics, and astrology have also contributed significantly to modern English by introducing new concepts and language to modern times.

Words such as ‘clinic,’ ‘pi,’ and ‘galaxy’ all come from Greek.

Greek Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes, Ancient Greek acopolis, StudySmarterFig. 3 — Many facets of Ancient Greek society have influenced our language today.

Greek Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes List

Although we’ve already looked at a few brief examples for context, you might like to see a broader range of Greek roots, suffixes, and prefixes that have been adopted by the English language.

These tables should give you a wider overview:

Greek Roots Meaning Examples
anthrop human anthropology, philanthropy
bio life bioluminescence, biofuel
path feeling sympathy, psychopath
ped child pediatrician, pedagogy,
dem people demographic, endemic
Greek Prefixes Meaning Examples
geo Earth geography, geologist
macro large macro lens, macroscopy
neo new neologism, neonatal
therm heat thermometer, thermostat
a without, not atypical, amoral
Greek Suffixes Meaning Examples
ist relating to cyclist, sexist
meter measure barometer, spedometer
gram a written or drawn record telegram, mammogram
phobe one with an intense fear arachnophobe, hydrophobe
oid resembling, similar to humanoid, cuboid

Greek Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes — Key Takeaways

  • Many English words are derived from Greek and can be formed from Greek roots, suffixes, and prefixes mixed with roots, prefixes, and suffixes of other languages.
  • A root is the basic form of a word, a prefix is a morpheme that is added to the beginning of a root word, and a suffix is a morpheme that is added to the end of a root word.
  • Prefixes and suffixes alter or add to the meaning of a root word.
  • Ancient Greek philosophy, culture, and science heavily influenced modern English as English borrowed many words from these Ancient Greek practices.

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roots, meanings, examples

Terms in this set (41)

A-,An-

meaning: not, without
ex: asexual, atypical, asymmetrical

Agon-

meaning: contest, struggle
ex: agony, agonize, antagonist, protagonist

Ant-,Anti-

meaning: against, opposite
ex: antisocial, antifreeze, antibody, anti-semetic

geo-

Meaning: earth
ex: geology, geography, geocentric

therm-

meaning: heat
ex: thermometer, thermals, thermodynamics

hydr-

meaning: having to do with water/ fluid
ex: hydrated, dehydrated, hydroxide

pyr-

meaning: having to do with fire
ex: pyromaniac, pyrotechnics

phot-, phos-

meaning: light
ex: phototropic, photosynthesis, photograph

hemi-

meaning: half
ex=: hemisphere

demi-

meaning: part, half
ex: demiplie, demigod

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