Word roots and learning - Word и Excel - помощь в работе с программами

Even though English is considered one of the easiest languages in the world, non-native speakers often find it difficult to learn. One of the major parts they struggle with is learning the rules of the language. The English language has lots of rules with an equal number of exceptions. So even after learning the rules, one may face difficulties to be fluent. Learning vocabulary root eases the process in many ways.

Another confusing part of the English language is the variations in the pronunciation of the same word group. For example, o-u-g-h’ can be pronounced in more than 4 ways. Consider the words Though’, Through’, Enough’, Thought’, and Hough’. For each word, o-u-g-h’ is pronounced differently. Learning spelling in this case won’t help much with pronunciation. Luckily, learning vocabulary roots can help us.

In this article, we will learn about vocabulary roots. We will discuss their functions and contribution to language learning.

So, let’s get started!

What Is Vocabulary Root?

In simple words, vocabulary root, or word root, is the basic word with which affixes (prefixes and suffixes) and/ or other root words are added to make new words. They are the base of a word and usually cannot stand alone on their own. Words can be made by adding affixes simultaneously, such as Unfaithful’, Retransformation’, Reincarnation’, Unconscious’ etc.

Sometimes root words can be confusing if not learned properly. Consider the root word Bi’. It means two or twice. Now let’s see what words we can make with it. By adding -cycle’, we get Bicycle’ which is a vehicle that runs on two wheels. If we add -lingual’, then we get Bilingual’ which refers to a person who can speak in two languages.

But this logic doesn’t work for Biology’ or Biodiversity’. Here, the root word is Bio’ which means life.

These examples also indicate the necessity of learning vocabulary root words to distinguish between two roots. If we don’t know the difference between Bi’ and Bio’, words made with them can be confusing to understand.

Vocabulary Root Words Origin

An interesting fact about vocabulary root words is that most of the root words in English originated from Latin or Greek language. Obviously, modern English languages have root words originating from other languages but these two still have the crown.

By learning Greek and Latin root words, a student can easily learn around 60% of English vocabulary. If you are particularly interested in technological terms, then 90% of the vocabulary can be learned from learning these two roots. An enormous number of words came from French roots also. Though there is no exact value, according to various sources, words with French roots make up 10%-40% of the English vocabulary.

Why Is Learning Vocabulary Root Words Important?

Some of the benefits of learning root words are already mentioned above. Here are some more for better understanding:

Additional Information

Vocabulary root provides information about the evolution of the language, its relation to other languages, and even historical influences. If you are studying a language, root words can indicate some major historical event that caused a change in the language or gave rise to a new trend. They are not only helpful for language learning, but also for learning the history and culture of a nation.

Better Understanding

Root words cannot be further divided and are considered the most meaningful part of the word. So, if you have good knowledge of root words, you can predict the meaning of an unseen word quite accurately.

For example, you know the word Friend’. Now, what about the words such as Friendly’, Befriend’, Friendliness’, Unfriendly’? Even if you don’t know the exact meaning, you can predict that all these words are somehow connected to Friend’. Now let’s dig a little deeper.

Un-’ means something negative. So, that means Unfriendly’ must mean Not friendly’. What does Friendly’ means then? Friend-like’? Yes! It means a person who is pleasant like a friend.

Ease In Learning

From the example, you can understand how learning one vocabulary root can help you acquire so many words. But there is another advantage.

When you are making word lists, you can categorize them according to their roots. You can list out root words with similar meanings such as dys’ (meaning: Hard, bad) and mal’ (meaning: Bad, Evil). Or you can sort them out according to their origins (Greek, Latin, French, etc.). This way, memorizing words would be easier for you.

Root Word Examples

In this section, common vocabulary root words are listed. They are sorted according to their origin. You can use these root words for kids and adult learning. There are two examples for each root word along with its meaning. For more related words, search on the internet or check SpellQuiz Printable Word lists. The lists are divided into grades and there are multiple lists for each grade along with a separate set of word lists for the Spelling Bee Competition.

Vocabulary Root Words Originated From The Greek Language

Root Word	Meaning	Example
Anthro	Human	Anthropology, Philanthropy
Auto	Self	Automatic, Automobile
Bio	Life	Biology, Biomedical
Chron	Time	Chronology, Chronic
Dyna	Power	Dynamite, Dynasty
Dys	Bad, hard	Dyspepsia, Dysfunction
Gram	Written	Telegram, Anagram
Graph	Writing	Cryptography, Telegraph
Hetero	Different	Heterogeneous, Heterotrophic
Homo	Same	Homophone, Homonym
Hydr	Water	Hydrogen, Hydraulic
Hypo	Below	Hypothesis, Hypotenuse
Logy	Study of	Biology, Zoology
Meter	Measurement	Thermometer, Barometer
Micro	Small	Microscope, Microchip
Miso	Hate	Misogyny, Misogamy
Mono	One, single	Monotonous, Monochrome
Morph	Form	Morph (stand-alone root word), Morphology
Nym	Name	Synonym, Acronym
Phobia	Fear	Germaphobia, Technophobia
Phon	Sound	Phonograph, Symphony
Photo	Light	Photograph, Photosynthesis
Pseudo	False	Pseudonym, Pseudopodia
Psycho	Soul	Psychology, Psychic
Scope	An instrument used for viewing	Telescope, Stethoscope
Techno	Skill, science	Technology, Technique
Tele	Far	Telephone, Telegraph
Therm	Heat	Thermal, Thermophiles

Vocabulary Root Words Originated From The Latin Language

Root Word	Meaning	Example
Ambi	Both	Ambiguity, Ambience
Aqua	Water	Aquatic, Aquarium
Aud	Hearing	Audio, Audience
Bene	Good	Benefit, Beneficiary
Cent	Hundred	Percent, Centipede
Circum	Around	Circumference, Circumvent
Counter	Against	Counterattack, Encounter
Dict	Saying	Dictionary, Dictation
Duc	Leading	Conducting, Abduct
Fac	Making	Manufacture, Faculty
Form	Shape	Format, Formation
Fort	Strength	Fortress, Forte
Fract	Breaking	Fraction, fragile
Ject	Throw	Inject, Rejection
Jud	Judge	Judge, Judiciary
Mal	Bad, Evil	Malfunction, Maltreatment
Mater	Mother	Maternity, Maternal
Mort	Death	Mortal, Mortified
Multi	Many	Multimedia, multiple
Pater	Father	Patriarchy, Paternal
Port	Carry	Portable, Deport
Rupt	Break	Eruption, Bankruptcy
Scrib	Write	Scribble, Describe
Sect	Cut	Section, Sector
Sent	Send	Assent, Consent
Spect	Look	Spectacular, Suspect
Struct	Build	Construction, Structure
Vid	See	Video, Visual
Voc	Voice	Vocal, Vocabulary

Commonly Used English Words Originated From The French Language

Word	Meaning in English
Au pair	Nanny/ babysitter
Bizarre	Weird, strange
Bon Appetit	Enjoy the meal
Bon Voyage	Happy journey
Bouquet	Arrangement of flowers
Boutique	Clothing shop
Bureau	Government Office
Café	Coffee shop
Chic	Stylish
Cliché	Stereotype
Courage	Bravery
Couture	High fashion
Debut	First performance in front of an audience
Déjà vu	Feeling like the same incident happened before
Entrepreneur	A person starting their own business
Faux	False
Fiancé	A person engaged for marriage
Genre	Category, type
Petite	Small
Queue	Waiting line
Sauté	Frying with oil
Souvenir	Keepsake
Terrace	Balcony
Touché	Point taken

Implementing Vocabulary Root Learning In Language Learning

Now that you understand the importance of root word learning, start implementing it in your regular learning sessions. There are books available on English root words. But you can also search them up online.

Try to predict the meaning of new words using your knowledge. After that, find the accurate definition in the dictionary.

Evaluating your skill constantly through tests is an efficient way to monitor your progress. You can assess how many words have you covered by vocabulary root word learning. SpellQuiz is your best choice for this.

Using Spelling Test Help With Learning Vocabulary Roots

SpellQuiz Vocabulary Test estimates your vocabulary range and assigns a level to your skill so that you can get a heads up about where to start from. SpellQuiz Spelling Test is divided into grades and is best for the regular test. Also, both tests use audio clips recorded with professional voice artists. The clip contains a sentence the participant needs to listen to and write with accurate spelling.

How do these tests help with root word learning evaluation? Simple. When you are listening to the clip, you can understand the root word from the pronunciation and spell the word correctly. SpellQuiz uses American English only to avoid confusion and professional voice artists make sure that the participants face no difficulty with understanding the word because of accent.

Most of the programs set a goal for you and require you to reach it within the given time. It can be stressful for many as everyone has a different pace to advance to the next level. SpellQuiz takes into consideration of individuality which is why SpellQuiz Adaptive Spelling Test lets students advance at their own pace. It lets everyone take their time and enjoy learning instead of being pressurized.

Let’s Introduce Some Fun!

Are you competitive? Do you require a sense of achievement occasionally to keep your motivation strong? If so, then SpellQuiz Spelling Bee Online can be your motivation to put more effort into vocabulary root learning. This is a spelling bee competition held online where students around the world compete against each other. There are also scoreboards for top spellers of the day, week, month, and all-time. It gives you a chance to show your potential to the whole world.

But if you are hesitating before entering the main test, you can practice with SpellQuiz Practice Test as much as you want. It introduces you to the online environment and lets you have time to adjust. After you are confident enough, take the main tests and show off your skill.

Happy learning!

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woman-walking-past-a-tall-tree-with-twisted-roots-bursting-out-of-the-grass

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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.

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

Download:
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Click here to get a copy. (Download)

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.

Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)

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Writer’s Workshop is a writing program for your whole family, from emergent writers right up to Mom and Dad. Try it with all of your kids.

This exercise is from Writer’s Workshop Word Work, the spelling and vocabulary component that is meant to be used alongside any of the writing units. In Writer’s Workshop Word Work, you’ll focus on mastering words as a writer in just a few minutes each day, using a variety of hands-on and bodily-kinesthetic activities to help solidify the knowledge. Specifically, you’ll focus on spelling and vocabulary so you can incorporate the words you master into your writing. The program includes spelling lists, word roots, and big vocabulary words to master, plus printables and activities.

Word Work

Mastering words is something we continue to do throughout our lives. Mastery is best done in small and consistent doses, so work on Word Work for a few minutes each day before having your mini-lesson and exercise from one of the Writer’s Workshop units. Never let Word Work overshadow the more important work you do of writing. Spelling and vocabulary are only a tiny part of writing, so keep Word Work in its place as a wonderful tool, but not the end goal of your Writer’s Workshop.

Vocabulary and Word Roots

Our vocabulary studies center around root words because they are so valuable in understanding lots of words as you learn to spot the root meanings. Over 60 percent of the words kids encounter have some recognizable word parts. Kids who understand these parts automatically understand much more of what they read.

Depending on the ages of your kids, you can learn between one and ten roots per week. Throughout the week, play with the roots in fun ways, becoming familiar with many of the words that are created from the roots. You’ll find lists of common roots and their definitions right in the Word Work unit, along with fun activities and printables to help your kids master them.

Here are just three of the many ways we practice learning roots and vocabulary within Writer’s Workshop Word Work.

Cinquains

Write cinquains using our root-based vocabulary words. You can use the printable to teach this simply.

Click on the picture to go to the printable.

Root Flowers

Make a root flower chart. Again, a cool printable to help solidify those root meanings and attach them to the words we use.

Click on the picture to go to the printable.

Word Root Organizers

Create Word Root Organizers using this printable.

Click on the picture to go to the printable.

We only spend a few minutes a day, never more than ten, but we are expanding our vocabularies by leaps and bounds!

You can learn more about Word Work and how to dovetail it into your daily writing in the Writer’s Workshop Guidebook.

What You’ll Find in Every Writer’s Workshop Unit

Printables

You’ll find printables in every Writer’s Workshop unit. They are tools for helping kids learn the writing process, skills, and ways to write in specific genres. They make lessons in a family-school setting a little more manageable for parents too.

Ideas Banks

In each unit, kids will be doing a variety of writing exercises as well as one project. They will learn to take their project through the writing process, incorporating what they’ve learned during the exercises. Each unit has a big idea bank for kids to look at and choose what they want to write about.

Rubrics

Every unit also includes a rubric to help parents or mentors know how to give feedback that will help writers grow. Rubrics are tools writers can use to self-check and mentors can use to know what to look for in each writing genre. We never just slap a grade on writing. Every bit of feedback is a tool to improve and grow.

More Writer’s Workshop

Learn more about Writer’s Workshop and how it can help you create writers (not just grammar workbook filler-outers!). We invite you to check out the Writer’s Workshop Curriculum Guide. Then see how Layers of Learning can change your whole homeschool into a happy, hands-on family school with the Writer’s Workshop Guidebook. We believe learning is about exploring! If you like exploring, you’ll love the rest of the Layers of Learning program too – history, geography, science, and art, all taught with your whole family exploring together.

Free Samples

Try family-style homeschooling now with free samples of four Layers of Learning units when you subscribe. You’ll get to try family-style history, geography, science, and arts with your children.

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Retaining new English vocabulary is challenging, whether you’re learning English for the first time or studying for standardized tests like the SAT or GRE. The challenge arises, in part, from the sheer volume of words in English. English’s massive lexicon comes from words in several other languages, and learning some of these words—more often fragments of words—can give you a learning advantage.

We often call these fragments roots, because other words grow from them like plants. Greek and Latin roots are most useful to learn; since I study the latter language, I’ll be focusing on Latin roots in this post.

The root of a word won’t give you the word’s exact definition, but rather clues to its meaning. These clues can help you retain exact definitions by triggering your memory when you see the part of the word that comes from the root.

Here’s a classic example: the root mal- comes from the Latin word for bad. If you speak Romance languages, like Spanish or French, you’ll probably recognize this root. You’ll also have an advantage in learning English vocabulary because Romance languages developed from Latin. (Can you figure out the root of Romance by thinking about the people who first spoke Latin?)

You can see the root mal- in English words like

malice (desire to cause pain)
malign (as an adjective: evil; as a verb: to speak badly of someone)
malefactor (evildoer)
malevolent (having ill-will or producing evil)

You can also see the root as a prefix in the word maladjusted (poorly adjusted). You can even see it in made-up names like Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty.

Knowing the root word mal- helps your learning in at least four ways.

If you study a particular word like malice, the root can trigger your memory when you see the word again. You’ll think: the definition has something to do with badness.
If you encounter an unfamiliar word that contains mal, you can make an educated guess as to its definition.
You can remember a cluster of related words like the ones above. This accelerates your vocabulary acquisition.
You can start to grasp how English words are put together, which is cool!

A lot of English teachers will do what I just did: they’ll introduce a root—or several—with relevant English words. This method is useful, but it restricts your vocabulary to what fits in a list of previously assembled roots. I’ll show you how you can use roots for the vocabulary you need to learn.

Instead of tailoring your vocabulary to a list of roots, you can tailor your roots to a list of vocabulary. The secret to this method is etymology, the study of where words come from (and how their meanings have changed). We say that we’ve found a word’s etymology when we can trace its development backwards through time, to a probable origin. When English words have Latin roots, you can usually trace them back through French, and then to Latin.

A word’s origin is usually listed as a full word in another language, not necessarily the most basic root. We can usually figure out the root by looking at the origin word—but hey, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start at the beginning.

Step One: Choose and define your word.

Choose a word you want to study. If you are looking for a word’s root, you can start by finding its etymology. Look up the word in an etymology dictionary: I recommend the Online Etymology Dictionary.

If you make a successful search, you’ll get the word’s dictionary entry. This will usually start with the word’s current (and sometimes historical) definitions. Then you’ll see a word like “from,” which signals the journey back to the word’s origins.

Let’s say we want to define and remember the adjective primeval. When we look it up in our etymology dictionary, we first get the definition: “of or belonging to the first age.” So, something primeval is ancient, from the world’s earliest times.

Let’s note down what we’ve found in a table.

Word	Definition
Primeval	From the world’s earliest times

Step Two: Find an origin for the word.

In the entry, we keep reading through some stuff about the 1650s and then we see the word “from»! As you read the part of the entry after “from,” imagine that you’re going further back in time, possibly through a few other languages. Here, we’re focusing on words with Latin roots. You should stop at the last Latin word because that’s usually the origin closest to a root we’re looking for. As I said before, the origin is usually a full word, not a basic root.

Before you move on, check to see how the meaning of the origin word relates to the word you’re studying. Remember, this relationship is the motivation for learning words this way!

Here’s where we are so far:

Word	Definition
Primeval	From the world’s earliest ages

We’ve just gotten to “from” in the word’s entry, and we now see “from primus “first” + aevum “an age.”” So, we have two origin words in Latin. I’m going to underline and focus on primus because I can already think of related words (like primary). If you’re doing this process for another word and also find two origins, you can try doing the next steps with both origins and see what happens.

Word

Definition

Origin

Primeval

From the world’s earliest ages

Primus: first

(Aevum: an age)

Step Three: Find a root.

To find the root, it’s useful to have a list of roots, or a root guide. You can try putting “list of Greek and Latin roots” into a search engine to find your own, but here is one I like to use.

Since the root is usually at the beginning of the origin, you can look for a root to match your origin by scrolling alphabetically, or you can use ctrl-F and start slowly typing the origin word. It might take you a few tries to find a root matching your origin word, and you might even need to type “root for primus” into your search engine.

Here’s where we are so far:

Word

Definition

Origin

Primeval

From the world’s earliest ages

Primus: first

(Aevum: an age)

If we go to the row of roots that start with “P” in the root word guide, we’ll find an entry for “prim-” meaning first. So now we understand that the “prim” in primus signifies meaning, and the “us” signifies something else (a masculine nominative ending, for those of you studying Latin).

Word

Definition

Origin

Root

Primeval

From the world’s earliest ages

Primus: first

(Aevum: an age)

Prim- : first

Step Four: Find related words.

Now for the fun part! Once you’ve found a root, see if there are other English words that come from the root. They might be words you already know or words you want to define to supplement your vocabulary.

By looking at the entry for “prim-” we can see the additional words primary and primitive. I can also think of primordial.

Word

Definition

Origin

Root

Related Words

Primeval

From the world’s earliest ages

Primus: first

(Aevum: an age)

Prim- : first

Primary (of chief importance; earliest in time or order)

Primitive (relating to an early stage in development)

Using this method, you can define new words for yourself, find their roots, and connect them to other, related words. I recommend keeping a section in the back of your notebook for a table like the one I’ve modeled above.

I wrote out the method in a lot of detail, so it seems like a long process. Once you start practicing, though, the process shouldn’t take very long. You can do it as you learn new vocabulary and reap the benefits of knowing roots!

Practice:

I’ve tested each word on the following list using the method above and the resources (etymology dictionary and root guide) I’ve recommended. You should be able to find definitions, origin words, roots, and related words for the following:

Circumscribe
Commemorate
Corpulent
Credulous
Culpable
Derisive
Ignominy
Insular
Marinate
Tangible
Tenable
Terrestrial

Источник

Monday, October 5th, 2020

In the post on learning strategies, I had mentioned Root words which helps to improve your vocabulary by memorising newly learnt words for CAT preparation. Throughout this series on words, we had focused on learning new words by grouping them – confusing words, similar words, idioms etc. Root words are just another way you can group words.

A lot words in the English language have originated from Latin (others have their roots in Greek, Sanskrit, German etc.). But why bother learning root words? Will it be of any help in CAT or any other exam (XAT, IIFT, SNAP etc.) The answer is: Yes, it could help during the exam in certain cases.

Why bother learning root words?

There are tonnes of words in the English language. From an exam perspective, knowing the word and its meaning will not help much because no direct question is asked in a format where a word is given and you have to find out what it means. But you may find yourself in a situation where if you know the root, you can make an educated guess of what the word actually means. In the following section, a word root is specified followed by a list of words based on the root. The idea is you should memorise what the word root means and you should be familiar with the words derived from the root so that if you see a new word you can identify the root and make a guess about what it means.

This list is in no way exhaustive. This exercise is to familiarize you with some root words followed by a few words based on the root. I highly recommend that you use word roots for your revision of the new words you learn or for a better understanding of the new words you learn. Also, when you look up a new word, or when you are revising newly learnt words, find out its root, look for other words sharing the same root. This will help you remember the meaning better.

Let’s go through the list below and find out more.

Geno meaning ‘Race/Kind’

Genealogy: The study of families. Genealogists study pedigree or bloodlines of families and trace the line of descent from ancestors to the most recent generation.

Genesis: It is the origin or birth of something. For e.g. “This tale had its genesis in fireside stories”.

Genre: A particular kind of literature, music or art. In music, the different types of the genre would be things like Rock, Jazz, Blues, Classical etc.

Genus: A general kind of something. It is the broad level of classification that gives you an idea of what family or kind something belongs to. For e.g. One example of a plant genus containing many species is Rosa, which contains more than 100 species of roses.

Progeny: the offspring of a person, animal or plant. For e.g. “the progeny of mixed marriages”.

Cracy meaning ‘Power’

Aristocracy: A form of government run by the most privileged people. For e.g. “the ancient Polish aristocracy had hereditary right to elect the king”

Autocracy: A government run by a single individual. For e.g In some islands hereditary autocracy prevailed; in others the government was elective.

Kleptocracy: Literally, it refers to a government run by thieves. But it general, Kleptocracies are generally associated with dictatorships or other forms of autocratic and nepotistic governments in which external oversight is impossible or does not exist.

Stratocracy: Simply put, it is a government run by the military chiefs. But Stratocracy is not the same as a military dictatorship. Rather, the state and the military are the same entity, and government positions are always occupied by commissioned officers and military leaders. So in a way, it is not necessarily autocratic and dictatorial in nature.

Plutocracy: a state or society governed by the wealthy. It is generally used as to describe or warn against an undesirable condition.

Loc/Loq meaning ‘Talk’

Circumlocution: Using more words than necessary in a talk. We had discussed its synonyms in the earlier posts – verbose and verbiage. For e.g. “he used a number of poetic circumlocutions”

Colloquial: A word that is used in an informal talk. Something very informal and used in everyday conversations. For e.g. reckon instead of suppose (“I reckon I ought to get home”) is one of the best examples of colloquial usage.

Colloquium: It means an academic conference or seminar. Earlier it was used to mean conversation or a talk, but now, it is used for meaning conferences, which is essentially an event where people talk.

Elocution: I’m sure you know elocution competitions that usually held in schools. Elocution means the art of speaking/talking clearly. It is the skill where you express clearly, with the correct pronunciation and articulation.

Eloquent: If someone is eloquent, it means he or she talks fluently. You could say an eloquent person is a good orator.

Interlocution: A dialogue or a talk. This word is frequently used in the formal sense in diplomacy and international relations. For e.g. The UN may appoint a team of interlocutors to help resolve the differences between two countries.

Soliloquy: An act of talking out loud to oneself. It is usually used in the context of plays where the character talks out loud.

Ventriloquism: Even if you don’t know what this means, you may have seen a ventriloquist perform in a circus or a street magic show. In the art of ventriloquism, a person (a ventriloquist) changes his or her voice so that it appears that the voice is coming from a puppet sitting on his or her lap.

Idio meaning ‘Own’

Idiograph: A personal signature. It could also be something that marks characteristic of or peculiar to a particular person or an organisation. It could also be a logotype or trademark.

Idiolect: It means speaking in a peculiar way – vocabulary or pronunciation. Doing an impression of someone forces you to work out their idiolect. Think about how you would imitate your teachers or actors or just some sound.

Idiomatic: You know what an idiom is, right? Idiomatic means containing or using many idioms. It could also mean using expressions that are peculiar to native speakers of that language. Eg. Idiomatic French or having a distinct style or character. For e.g. The idiomatic composer.

Idiopathy: A disease that appears spontaneously and develops on its own. Also, -pathy itself is a suffix that can act as a grouping. It comes from the Greek word ‘patheia’ meaning suffering or in general feeling. Words with -pathy suffix include apathy, antipathy, sympathy etc.

Idiosyncrasy: Peculiar trait to someone. For e.g. “one of his little idiosyncrasies was always preferring to be in the car first”

You can also see: Group Discussion Tips – How to approach a topical Group Discussion

Written Ability Test – Evaluation Criteria and Recommended Background Reading

Essay Tips – Seven Deadly Sins of Essay Writing

How Many Essays You Must Write Before You Write an Essay

How to approach a case study based Group Discussion

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Источник

Learning about the building blocks of words can help you make sense of unfamiliar words.

Search roots…

Only show roots with rootcasts

Only show common roots

abil

handy

-able

handy, capable of

abol

destroy, get rid of

abs-

away, from

ab-

away, from

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

acerb

bitter, sharp, tart

-acious

inclined to, abounding in

-acity

characteristics of

acr

sharp, keen, fierce

act

drive, do

This root has an audio rootcast.

-acy

state of being something

ac

sharp, keen, point

ac-

to, towards

add

attach to, add, give to

-ade

thing or person made by a certain process

-ado

possessing a quality

ad-

to, towards

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

aesthet

feel, perceive

affect

influenced, strongly moved

af-

to, towards

-age

to do something

-age

state

agog

leading, drawing forth

agon

struggle, contest, conflict

agr

field, country

ag

do, act, drive

This root has an audio rootcast.

ag-

to, towards

alg

pain

all-

other, different

alter

another

alt

high

-al

action, process

al

cause to grow, feed

-al

of or relating to

al-

to, towards

ambi-

both

ambul

walk, go around

amb-

both, around

ami

friend

ampl

large

am

love

This root has an audio rootcast.

ana-

back

-ance

state or condition

-ancy

state

-and

to be …ed

-ane

of or pertaining to

ang

distress

anim

mind, spirit

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

ann

year

This root has an audio rootcast.

ante-

before

This root has an audio rootcast.

anthrop

human

This root has an audio rootcast.

antiqu

old

anti-

opposite, against

This root has an audio rootcast.

-ant

being in a state or condition

ant-

opposite, against

anxi

worried

an-

not, without

-an

relating to

an-

to, towards

apo-

away, from

apt

suitable, fit

ap-

to, towards

arbitr

think, judge

arbor

tree

arch

ancient

arch-

chief, principal

arch

rule

This root has an audio rootcast.

arc

chest, coffer

ard

burn, be on fire

-arian

pertaining to

articul

to divide into small joints; speak clearly

art

skill, craft

-ary

person or thing belonging to

-ary

of or relating to

-ar

pertaining to

ar-

to, towards

asper

rough, harsh, roused to anger

aster

star

as-

to, towards

-ate

possessing a certain quality

-ate

to make have a certain quality

-ation

act of doing something

-ation

state or quality of

-atory

of or belonging to

at-

to, towards

aud

hear, listen to

augur

diviner, seer

auth

author

auto-

self, same

This root has an audio rootcast.

au

bird

av

desire, be eager

a-

away, from

a-

not, without

This root has an audio rootcast.

-a

forms a noun

a-

to, towards, at

This is common root

barr

barrier

bar

barrier

bas

low, short

bas

step

bat

beat, pound

bell

war, fighting

bene-

well

be-

thoroughly

be-

to treat in a certain way

bio

life

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

bi-

twice

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

bol

throw

bon

good

brev

short

burs

purse

but

strike, push

cad

fall

cal

beauty

cal

warm, be hot

cand

be of brilliant whiteness

canon

rule, straight rod, standard

cant

sing

can

dog

capit

head

This root has an audio rootcast.

capt

taken, seized

cap

take, seize

carn

meat

car

wagon, cart

cas

fall

cata-

thoroughly

caud

tail

caust

burnt, red hot

caut

beware of

caval

horse

cav

hollow

ced

go, move

This root has an audio rootcast.

ced

yield

ceed

go, move

ceiv

take

celer

swift, speedy

cel

hide

cens

assessed, judged, rated

centr

center

This root has an audio rootcast.

cent

hundred

This root has an audio rootcast.

cent

sing

cept

taken, seized

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

cern

sift, perceive, decide

cert

compete, strive, contend

cert

sure

cess

This root has an audio rootcast.

chart

sheet of paper

chast

pure, without stain

chas

take, seize

chiev

head

chol

bile, gall

chrom

color

chron

time

This root has an audio rootcast.

-cide

killing

cid

fall

ciph

zero

cip

take

This root has an audio rootcast.

circum-

around, about

This root has an audio rootcast.

circ

ring

cis

cut

This root has an audio rootcast.

cit

moved, stirred up

This is common root

civ

citizen

clair

clear, bright

clam

shout

clar

clear, bright

clav

key

clemenc

mercy, mildness, calmness

-cle

little

clim

sloping region; zone of the Earth; ladder

clin

lean

cliv

slope, hill

clud

shut, close

This root has an audio rootcast.

clus

shut, closed

coc

cook, ripen

cogn

learn, know

This root has an audio rootcast.

col-

with, together

commod

suitable, convenient

commun

common, public, general

com

celebration, fun

com-

thoroughly

This is common root

com-

with, together

concil

join, win over

cond

hide, put away

congru

come together, agree

conn

learn, know

contra-

opposite, against

This root has an audio rootcast.

con-

thoroughly

This is common root

con-

with, together

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

cord

heart

cori

leather

corn

horn, point

corp

body

cor-

thoroughly

cosm

universe

counter-

opposite

coup

buffet, cuff, blow

cover

co-

with, together

crat

rule

This root has an audio rootcast.

cred

believe, trust

This root has an audio rootcast.

crep

burst, crack

cresc

grow, arise, increase

cret

grow

cret

separate

cret

sift, discern, separate

crimin

judgment

crit

judge

croc

hook

cruc

cross

crypt

hidden

cry

shout out in complaint

culp

fault, blame, guilt

cult

grow

This root has an audio rootcast.

cumb

lie down

cum

heap, pile

cup

take, seize

curr

run

This root has an audio rootcast.

curs

ran, hurried

cur

worry, anxiety, attention

cuss

strike

custom

become used to

cus

reason

cycl

circle, wheel

This root has an audio rootcast.

cyn

dog

dat

give

deb

owe, ought

decim

tenth

decor

suitable, graceful, proper

del

destroy, wipe out

demn

loss, penalty, injury

demon

spirit, divine power

dem

people

dens

thick

deris

mocked, made fun of

dextr

right

de

god

de-

off, from

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

de-

thoroughly

This is common root

dia-

through, across

This root has an audio rootcast.

dict

say

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

dic

say

This is common root

didact

apt at teaching

dif-

apart, not, away from

dign

worthy, deserving

dis-

apart, not

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

dit

give

divid

separate into parts

divis

separated into parts, divided

di-

apart, not

di

day

di-

thoroughly

di-

two

doc

teach

dol

feel pain, grieve, suffer

domin

master

dom

house

-dom

state of being something

don

gift

dors

back

dot

give

dox

opinion

dracon

dragon, snake, serpent

dramat

play

dress

arrange

dubi

doubt

duct

led

This is common root

duc

lead

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

dur

hard, harsh

This root has an audio rootcast.

du-

two

dyn

power

ec

house

ec-

out of, from

-ed

having a particular state

ed

temple, house

-eer

effic

bring about, accomplish

ef-

out of, from

ef-

thoroughly

egor

assembly

ego

This root has an audio rootcast.

eg

lead

element

beginning

empt

buy

em-

in, on

-ence

state or condition

-ency

state of being something

-endo

doing something

-end

that which is to be …ed

enn

year

-ent

being in a state or condition

en-

in, on

This is common root

-en

made of, pertaining

-eous

resembling

epi-

upon, over

This root has an audio rootcast.

ep-

around, near

equi-

equal

equ

equal

This root has an audio rootcast.

erg

work

err

wander, make a mistake

This root has an audio rootcast.

-ery

act or practice

-er

to do something

-escent

becoming; beginning to be

-esce

to do something

ess

estim

fix the value of

est

es

eat

-ette

lessening

-et

little, diminutive

-eur

one who

-eur

state or quality

eu-

well

ev

time

exempl

example

exig

enforce, demand

exo-

outside

expect

wait for

exper

try, test

extra-

outside

This root has an audio rootcast.

extrem

end, edge

ex-

out of, from

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

ex-

thoroughly

This root has an audio rootcast.

e-

out of, from

This is common root

e-

thoroughly

e

used for spelling and pronunciation

fab

talk

facil

easy, easily accomplished

fact

made, done

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

fac

face, surface

fall

trick, deceive, be in error

This root has an audio rootcast.

famil

household, familiar group

fam

reputation

fan

temple

fatig

weary, tire

fatu

foolish, silly, stupid

fat

speak, talk, say

fav

like, support

feas

make, do

feat

made

febr

fever

fect

make

This root has an audio rootcast.

feit

made, done

felic

happy, lucky

fend

ward off

ferv

boil, be hot

fer

carry, bring, bear

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

fer

wild

fest

feast, holidays

fet

pregnancy

fict

pretend, invent

fic

make, do

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

fid

trust, faith

This root has an audio rootcast.

figur

form, shape

fig

shape

fili

daughter, son

fin

end, form a boundary

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

firm

stable

fiss

split

fit

make, do

fix

fastened, nailed, secured

flagr

burn

flam

flame

flat

blow

flect

bent

flict

struck, struck down

flor

flower

This root has an audio rootcast.

flu

flow, stream, glide

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

foc

hearth, fireplace

foli

leaf

form

shape

This root has an audio rootcast.

fortun

luck, chance

fort

strong, vigorous, powerful

This root has an audio rootcast.

for

outside

found

pour, pour out, spread out

fract

broken, crushed

frag

break, crush

frequent

repeated, constant

front

forehead, foremost part

fruit

fruit, enjoyment

fug

flee

fulg

shine, flash

-ful

full of, resembling

funct

perform, complete

fund

bottom, depths, basis

fur

rage, be mad

fus

pour

This root has an audio rootcast.

fut

check, restrain

-fy

make, do

geist

spirit

gel

freeze

geni

innate quality, inborn talent

gent

family

gen

born, produced

This is common root

gen

kind, type, class

germ

bud, embryo

ger

bear, bring, carry

gest

bear carry

ge

earth

This root has an audio rootcast.

gigant

giant

glomerat

gathered into a ball-shaped mass

glori

praise

gloss

tongue, language

glut

swallow, gulp down

gnost

know

gorg

throat

grad

step

This root has an audio rootcast.

gram

line, stroke of a pen, letter

grand

great, lofty, powerful

gran

grain

graph

write

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

grat

pleasing, welcome

grav

heavy, serious, burdened

greg

flock

This root has an audio rootcast.

gress

step

This is common root

gubern

steer a ship

gyn

woman

hab

have

herit

successor

her

stick, cling, hold fast

This root has an audio rootcast.

hes

stick

hetero-

other

hibit

hold

hier

holy

hilar

cheerful, merry

hind

back

hod

road, way

homo-

same

hom

human being, man

hort

urge, encourage

hor-

boundary

hor

tremble, dread, shudder

hospit

host, guest

human

of mankind

hum

ground

hyper-

over, above

This root has an audio rootcast.

hypo-

under, below

This root has an audio rootcast.

-iac

of or connected with

-ian

characteristic of

-ia

belonging to

-ia

place

-ible

handy, capable of

-ice

act of

-ice

period

icon

image, statue

-ic

like,of

-ic

one relating to

idio-

own, personal, private

idol

image, likeness, shape

This is common root

-id

of or relating to

id

same

-ier

that which does something

-ify

make

ign

produce, bring forth

ig

do, act

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

ig-

not

-ile

tending to do or be something

il-

in, on

il-

not

imag

likeness, idea

imit

copy, resemble

imper

command, provide leadership

impet

impulse, attack

im-

in, on

This is common root

im-

not

This is common root

indic

one who shows, forefinger

-ine

of or relating to

ingenu

honest

-ing

a or of a continuous action

insul

island

integr

whole, entire

intellig

understand

inter-

between, within, among

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

intro-

within

invid

be envious of

in-

against

in-

in, on, into

This is common root

in-

not

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

-ion

act, state

-ior

-ious

of the nature of

ir

become angry

ir-

not

-ise

to make have a certain quality

-ish

to do something

-ish

verging upon, somewhat

-ism

action or process of doing something

-ism

set of beliefs

-ism

condition

-ism

distinctive trait of language

-ism

name of a certain system

-istic

characterized by

-ist

one who performs an action; believer

-is

forms a noun

-ite

to do something

-ite

of the nature of

itiner

journey

-itious

of the nature of

-itude

state or quality of

-ity

state or quality

it

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

-ive

of or that which does something

-ize

make or treat in a certain way

-i-

connective

i

ject

thrown

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

jet

throw, cast

joc

joke

join

join, attach, form a link

journ

pertaining to the day, daily

judic

judge

jug

yoke

junct

joined, attached

jur

swear, take an oath, law

juven

young, young man

juxta-

next to, beside

kine

moving

labor

work

This root has an audio rootcast.

langu

be sluggish, wilt, lack vigor

later

side

lat

carry

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

lat

wide

laud

praise

lav

wash

lax

loosen, take one’s ease

lect

gathered, chosen

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

lect

speak, read

leg

bind, choose

leg

gather, read

leg

law

-less

lacking

letter

letter of the alphabet; document

lev

light, of little weight

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

lex

of words

liber

free

lict

left behind, abandoned

lic

it is permitted, one may

lid

strike, harm

lieu

place

lig

tie, bind

This root has an audio rootcast.

limin

doorway, threshold

limit

boundary

-ling

small

lin

line, string, thread

This is common root

lion

lips

leave

liqu

flow, be liquid

liter

letter of the alphabet

lith

stone

lit

lawsuit

li

tie, bind, link

This is common root

locut

having spoken

loc

place

This root has an audio rootcast.

-logy

study, science, theory

log

word, study, reason

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

long

loqu

talk, speak

This root has an audio rootcast.

loy

tie, bind, link

luct

struggle, fight against

luc

light, brightness, clarity

lud

play, trick

This root has an audio rootcast.

lumin

light, glow

lustr

illumine, brighten

lus

play, trick

lut

wash

luv

wash, bathe

luxur

excess

-ly

in a particular way or manner

ly

untie

machin

plan, trick, artifice

maci

thin

macro-

large, long

magist

ruler, leader

magn

large, great

This root has an audio rootcast.

major

greater, larger

mal

bad, evil

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

mand

order

mania

madness, frenzy

mant

cloak

man

hand

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

man

stay, remain

mass

lump

math

learn, understand

matr

mother

This root has an audio rootcast.

matur

make ripe

maxim

largest

medi

middle, in the middle, in half

This root has an audio rootcast.

medl

blend, mingle, mix

mega-

great, large

This root has an audio rootcast.

melior

better

mel

blend, mingle, mix

mel

song

memor

remembering

mend

fault, defect, lying

mens

act of measuring

ment

mind

-ment

quality, condition

men

threat

merc

trade

merg

plunge

merit

earned, gained, deserved

mers

plunge

meta-

beyond, change

metr

measure

This root has an audio rootcast.

metr

mother

me

pass, proceed

micro-

small

This root has an audio rootcast.

migr

move

mill-

one thousand

mim

imitator, mimic

ministr

serve

min

lean forward, threaten

min

lessen, make smaller

misc

mix

miser

wretched

miss

sent

This is common root

mis-

hatred

mis

send

mis-

wrong, wrongly

mit

send

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

mnes

remember

mobil

active, quick

mod

measure, method, manner

This is common root

moll

soft

mol

grind in a mill

moment

movement

-monious

of or resembling

mono-

one, single

This root has an audio rootcast.

monstrat

showed, pointed out

mon

warn, advise, remind

morph

shape, form

This root has an audio rootcast.

mors

bite

mort

death

This root has an audio rootcast.

mor

custom, habit, manner

mor

die, decay, death

mot

move

This root has an audio rootcast.

mount

mountain

mov

move

multi-

many

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

mun

gift, public service

mur

delay, stay behind

mur

wall

mut

change, alter

narc

numbness, deadness

narrat

tell

nasc

be born

nat

born

nect

tie, bind

neg

deny, say not

neo-

new

nerv

vigor, determination

-ness

state, quality, condition

neur

nerve

nex

tied, bound

nic

harm, injure

nihil

nothing

nobl

well known, famous

noc

harm

nom

law, custom

nom

name

This root has an audio rootcast.

non-

not

This root has an audio rootcast.

norm

carpenter’s square, pattern

not

gotten to know, found out

not

mark, sign

nounc

messenger, message, report

nov

new

This root has an audio rootcast.

null

none

numer

number

This root has an audio rootcast.

nunc

messenger, report

nutr

nourish

obliv

forget

ob-

against, in the way

This root has an audio rootcast.

ob-

thoroughly

This root has an audio rootcast.

ob-

to, toward

oc

eye

oc-

thoroughly

od

song

offic

duty

oint

smear with oil

ol

smell

omin

sign, omen

omni-

all

oner

burden, load

onym

name

This root has an audio rootcast.

-on

forms a noun

oper

work

opin

think, suppose

opt

wish, choose

op

eye

op-

to, towards, against

op

wealth, abundance

oram

sight, view

orb

circle

ord

order, row, series

organ

furnished with organs

orn

decorate

ortho-

right

-ory

place

-ory

of or relating to

-or

one who does something

or

rise, begin

or

speak

-or

state

-ose

full of, having

-osis

state; process; condition

-os

forms a noun

oti

leisure

-ous

full of, having

-ous

possessing the nature of

overt

opened

over-

over, above

oxy

sharp, keen

-o-

connective

pact

fasten, drive in

pac

peace

pall

be pale

palp

stroke, caress, touch

pan-

all

pan

bread

para-

beside, alongside

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

parl

talk, speak

part

This is common root

par

come to sight

par

equal

par

make, prepare

pass

step, pace

This is common root

pass

suffer, endure

past

dough, paste

past

feed

path

feeling, disease

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

patr

father

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

pecc

stumble, sin

pecuni

money

ped

child

ped

foot

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

pel

push

pend

hang, weigh

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

pens

hang, weigh

This is common root

pen-

almost, nearly

pen

penalty

peri-

around, near, about

person

character

per-

thoroughly

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

per-

through

This root has an audio rootcast.

pet

seek, attack, go for

phan

cause to appear, show

phas

show

phem

saying, speech

phil

love

This root has an audio rootcast.

phon

voice, sound

This root has an audio rootcast.

phor

a carrying

phras

explain

phyt

plant

pict

paint, portray

pil

pile, pillar

feather

piqu

pierce, prick

pir

attempt, attack

pith

pit, kernel

pit

pity, right conduct

pi

cleanse, make honest

plac

please, suit, be acceptable

plaint

mourn for, beat

plais

please

plant

plant, sprout

plas

form, mold

plat

flat, broad

plaud

applaud, clap

plaus

applaud, strike

plen

full

plet

fill

plex

weave

This root has an audio rootcast.

ple

fill

plic

fold

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

pli

fold, bend

This is common root

plor

weep over

ploy

fold

plumb

lead

plus

pod

foot

point

polit

citizen

poly-

many

This root has an audio rootcast.

pol

axis

pol

smooth, refine, polish

ponder

weigh, consider

pon

put, place

portion

part, share, division

port

carry

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

port

harbor, port

por

passage

posit

placed, put

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

possess

have or take control of

postulat

demand

post-

after

This root has an audio rootcast.

pos

pause, temporary halt

pos

put, place

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

potent

capable, powerful

pot

drink

pound

specify, place

pover

poor

pract

preci

worth, price

prec

having prayed or entreated

pred

plunder

pregn

seize hold of

prehend

seize

prehens

seized hold of

press

pre-

before, in front

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

prim

first

This root has an audio rootcast.

prim

press

princip

chief

prior

previous, in front

pris

seize hold of

priv

without, individual

proach

near

prob

prove, test, approve

prol

offspring

prompt

ready

propiti

pleasingly inclined

prop

proper, fitting, one’s own

This root has an audio rootcast.

prot-

first

proxim

next, nearest

pro-

before

pro-

forward

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

prud

foresee

pseud-

false

publ

people

pud

be ashamed

pugn

fight

puls

pushed

punct

pointed, stabbed, pierced

This is common root

pung

point, pierce, prick

pun

punish

purg

make clean

pur-

thoroughly

putr

rotten, stinking, decaying

put

think, consider

This is common root

quaint

know, learn

qual

of what kind?

quant

how much

quer

complain, protest

quest

ask, seek

quiesc

rest

quiet

rested, stilled, calmed

quir

seek, strive for

quisit

seek, ask

This is common root

quit

rest, be still, stay calm

qu

who, what, which

radic

root

rad

ray

ranc

be rotten, stink

rap

snatch, grab, seize

rar

loose-knit, spaced thinly

ras

scrape, scratch

rat

think

rav

snatch, grab, seize

rect

ruled, guided, put right

This is common root

red-

back, again

reg

rule, guide, direct

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

remedi

cure

rest

stay put, stand still

retro-

backward

re-

back, again

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

re

thing

re-

thoroughly

This root has an audio rootcast.

rid

laugh at

rig

stiffness

-rium

place for; thing used for

riv

stream

robor

oak, strength

rod

chew, eat away

rog

ask, request

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

ros

chew, eat away

rotund

round

rub

red

rud

unskilled, untaught

rupt

burst

This root has an audio rootcast.

rus

reject

-ry

act or practice

sacchar

sugar

sacr

sacred, holy

sag

perceive keenly

sal

health, safety

sal

leap, spring forward, jump

sanct

holy

sanguin

blood

sap

in good taste, wise

sat

enough

sav

in good taste, wise

scend

climb, mount

scen

stage

schem

form, shape, manner

sch

split, division

sci

know

scop

see

scrib

write

This root has an audio rootcast.

script

written

This is common root

scrut

probe, examine

search

ring, circle

secr

sacred, holy

sect

cut

This root has an audio rootcast.

secut

sed

sit, settle, rest

seem

fitting

sembl

copy

semin

seed

sem

sign

sens

felt, sensed, perceived

This is common root

sent

feel, sense, perceive

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

sen

old man, elder, old

sequ

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

seren

clear, untroubled

sert

join

serv

keep, guard, save

serv

wait on, serve

sever

strict, grave

se-

apart

This root has an audio rootcast.

sibil

hiss, whistle

sider

star

sid

sit

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

sign

mark, seal, sign

This is common root

simil

simul

pretend, copy, imitate

sim

once

sin

curve, fold, hollow

sist

stand

This root has an audio rootcast.

situ

positioned

skept

examine, consider

solut

loosened

solv

loosen

This root has an audio rootcast.

sol

alone

sol

comfort

sol

be in the habit of

sol

sun

sol

whole, firm

somat

body

-some

having a certain quality

somn

sleep

son

sound

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

soph

wise, clever

sorb

soak up

sort

lot

sourc

rise

spat

distance, area

spect

see, observe, look, watch over

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

spec

kind, form

spec

see, look at, observe

spers

scatter, besprinkle

sper

hope

spic

see, observe, look, watch over

spir

breathe

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

spit

see, observe, look, watch over

splend

bright, shining

spond

pledge, promise

spor

seed, a sowing, a scattering

spous

pledged, promised

stant

stand, stand still

stas

standing, standing still

stat

stands

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

stereo-

solid

stig

mark, brand, tattoo-mark

still

drop

stitut

set up, decided

stor

renew

strat

covering, spread

strict

drawn tight, confined

string

draw tight, tighten, confine

struct

built

This root has an audio rootcast.

stru

build, construct

This is common root

stup

become dazed, be amazed

suad

make sweet, urge

suav

sweet

sublim

uplifted

sub-

under, from below

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

suc-

under

suf-

under, from below

sull

soil

sult

leap, spring forward, jump

summ

highest, topmost

sumpt

taken up, put on

sum

take up, put on

super-

over, above

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

sup-

under

surg

rise

surrect

rise

sur-

over, above

sur-

under

sus-

under

su

sym-

with, together

syn-

with, together

This root has an audio rootcast.

tabl

board, plank

tact

touched

tac

silent, quiet

tail

a cutting

taint

stained, dyed

tain

have, hold

tang

touch, affect

taph

tomb

tax

arrange, put in order

techn

skill, art, craft

tedi

weariness

teg

cover, shield, protect

temper

regulate, modify

tempt

try

temp

time

This root has an audio rootcast.

tend

stretch

tens

stretch, stretch out

tent

stretched, stretched out

tenu

thin

ten

hold

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

termin

boundary, end, limit

terr

earth, land

This root has an audio rootcast.

terr

frighten

test

witness, proof, indicator

text

weave

them

proposition, idea put forth

therm

heat

thes

put, place

the

god

-tic

relating to a process or state

tim

fear, be afraid

tinct

prick, quench

ting

touch, reach, affect

tin

hold

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

titul

label, title, description

tol

raise, endure

tom

cut

ton

sound

top

place

torp

be stiff, be numb

torr

burn

tort

twisted, wound, wrapped

tot

whole, entire

tour

circle

toxic

poison

tract

drag, pull

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

trans-

across, through

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

treat

drawn

trem

shake, tremble

trepid

alarmed, fearful

tribut

divided, granted, given credit

tric

entangle, make difficulties

trit

rubbed, worn away

tri-

three

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

troph

nourishment, food

trop

turn, change

trud

thrust, push

trunc

trunk, removed by chopping

trus

thrusted, pushed

tum

swell,disturbance, uproar

turb

confusion, turmoil, disorder

turg

be swollen

tus

beat, blunt, deaden the senses

tut

protect, catch sight of

typ

blow, impression, form

-ty

state; quality

-uble

handy, capable of

-ulent

rich in, full of

ult

beyond

-ul-

little

-ul-

repeated activity

umbr

shadow, shade

-um

forms a noun

und

wave

uni-

one

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

un-

not, opposite of

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

-uous

of the nature of

urb

of a city

-ure

shows actions or results

-urnal

active during a given period

-us

forms a noun

us

use

util

useful, practical

vac

be empty

vad

vag

wander, roam, rove

val

be strong, be of value

This is common root

vant

from before

van

empty, illusory

vap

steam, spoiled, flat

vari

different, diverse

var

bent

vast

huge

vas

go, proceed, advance

This root has an audio rootcast.

vect

carried

veh

carry, bring

vel

curtain

vener

worship, revere, honor

veng

get even, revenge

vent

come

This is common root

ven

come

This root has an audio rootcast.

ven

sale

verb

word

This root has an audio rootcast.

verd

green

verg

move

vers

turned

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

vert

turn

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

ver

fear

ver

truth

This root has an audio rootcast.

vestig

footprint

vest

clothing, garments

veter

old, long-standing

vex

annoy

vey

see, look at

vibr

shake, quickly move to and fro

vic

instead of, change

vid

see, take care

view

see, perceive

vig

act, be lively

vil

mean, base

vinc

conquer, win

vindic

avenger, defender, revenge

vin

wine

virt

excellence of character

vir

poison

viscer

entrails, internal organs

visc

birdlime

vis

see, look at, observe

This root has an audio rootcast.

This is common root

vit

flaw, defect

vit

life

viv

live

vi

road, way, journey

This is common root

vocat

called, called upon

voc

call

This root has an audio rootcast.

void

empty

vok

call, call upon

volat

fly, move swiftly, speed

volum

book

volut

rolled, wrapped up

volv

roll, wrap up, turn round

This root has an audio rootcast.

vol

wish, want

vor

eat

vot

promise, pledge

vouch

call, call upon

vulg

make common, publish

vuls

pluck, tear up

wan

lessen

-ward

towards a place

wast

desolate, laid waste

writ

write

-y

activity

-y

state or condition

zeal

eager rivalry, fierceness

Differentiated vocabulary for your students is just a click away.

Источник

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;

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

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

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

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

cede,
ceed,
cess go, yield Latin

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Источник

What Is Vocabulary Root?

Vocabulary Root Words Origin

Why Is Learning Vocabulary Root Words Important?

Additional Information

Better Understanding

Ease In Learning

Root Word Examples

Vocabulary Root Words Originated From The Greek Language

Vocabulary Root Words Originated From The Latin Language

Commonly Used English Words Originated From The French Language

Implementing Vocabulary Root Learning In Language Learning

Using Spelling Test Help With Learning Vocabulary Roots

Let’s Introduce Some Fun!

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

Word Work

Vocabulary and Word Roots

Cinquains

Root Flowers

Word Root Organizers

What You’ll Find in Every Writer’s Workshop Unit

Printables

Ideas Banks

Rubrics

More Writer’s Workshop

Free Samples

Step One: Choose and define your word.

Step Two: Find an origin for the word.

Step Three: Find a root.

Step Four: Find related words.

Practice:

Why bother learning root words?

Geno meaning ‘Race/Kind’

Cracy meaning ‘Power’

Loc/Loq meaning ‘Talk’

Idio meaning ‘Own’

Crack CAT with Unacademy!

abil

-able

abol

abs-

ab-

acerb

-acious

-acity

acr

act

-acy

ac

ac-

add

-ade

-ado

ad-

aesthet

affect

af-

-age

-age

agog

agon

agr

ag

ag-

alg

all-

alter

alt

-al

al

-al

al-

ambi-