Learning root words in English is not only helpful to fetch good marks in the verbal ability section of competitive exams but also help to hone up the English vocabulary skills in general.
English is one of the important sections of various Government exams like Bank, SSC, RRB, etc. and aspirants preparing for these examinations are required to have a good vocabulary to ace this section.
Now, the English language being vast and comprehensive, it is difficult to memorise each and every word and their meaning. So, English root words can help you to understand the meaning of all the words easily.
Therefore, this article will provide the list of root words with detailed explanation. Candidates will also be able to download the root words pdf for convenient preparation.
English Root Words PDF:-Download PDF Here
To understand vocabulary, we need to understand each word and history attached to it. English is considered as a global language because it is a culmination of all popular languages like Spanish, Latin, Greek etc. Learning the root words will make it easy for the aspirants to work out the meaning of the new words as they encounter them.
What is the root word?
A root word is a word that forms the basis of new words by adding affixes (prefixes or suffixes). It is the most basic part of any word.
The basic structure of roots are either affixed or suffixed and then they become a new word. An understanding of the usual root words will help make a good guess about the meaning of newly known words and will, in turn, strengthen your vocabulary.
Check out General English for competitive exams for various conceptual based topics along with their explanations.
Let’s check out various root words in English, their combination and different new words formed by them.
Candidates can go through the video on English Vocabulary – Root Words to understand the concept.
English Root Word List
- Root Word – Mal – a Latin word, Meaning – bad or evil.
English words having ‘mal’ root word –
- Malignment – defame something badly
- Malice – evil intention
- Maltreat. – Treat someone/something badly
- Malfunction – working badly
- Dismal – A gloomy situation
- Maleficent – Someone who deliberately try causing harm to someone
*All the words having ‘mal’ root word gives a negative connotation.
Candidates can check the List of Homophones/Homonyms in the given link to prepare for the English section.
2. Root Word – Phobia, Meaning – Fear or dislike
English words formed of it –
- Demophobia – demo is people so one who fears public speaking have demophobia
- Zoophobia – people who fear animals.
- Theophobia – Thei is God/Religion, so a person who fears religion has theophobia.
- Pedophobia – Pedo means child, so a person who doesn’t like children has pedophobia.
- Gynophobia – a person who dislikes girls/women because Gyno is a girl/woman.
You can check the List of Phobias in the given link which is important for the general awareness section as well.
3. Root word – Fin – a Latin word, Meaning – to end something, limit, or boundary.
English words containing ‘Fin’ in them –
- Infinity – No limit
- Infinitesimal – immeasurably small
- Confinement – concluding state of pregnancy
- Definite – Precise
We can see, the words mean to end or limit something. Examples: We take a final exam at the end of the course. The one who watches reality TV Shows, see the Finale episode or the final episode of the season.In a race, the Finish line is known as the end of it.
4. Root word – Phil – a Greek word, Meaning – to Love.
English word with root word ‘Phil’-
- Bibliophile – the one who loves books
- Philologist – word lover who is a scholar of language
- Philanthropist – is a person who loves mankind.
- Philosopher – A person who will love wisdom
- Philodendron – A tree that curls up while growing and are called love trees.
So we can see all the words with root words are associated with love. Did you know the city of Philadelphia actually means the city of brotherly love.
5. Root word – Logy a Greek word, Meaning – to study something
Words formed with the root word ‘logy’ are –
- Analogy – the study of comparison of two or more things
- Anthropology – the study of human beings as ‘anthrop’ means human.
- Theology – ‘theo’ means God/religion so theology is the study of religion
- Morphology – the study of structures is morphology. Morph means structures.
The above-given examples for ‘logy’ root words form a part of one-word substitution which is again an important topic to study in the English language section. Candidates can go the category-wise list of one-word substitution for assistance in preparation.
6. Root word – Thie, a Greek word – Meaning – God/Religion
English words formed using the root word ‘Thei’ are –
- Theist – ‘ist’ is follower, so theist is one who believes in God
- Atheist – A [person who do not believe in God
- Pantheist – Pan means that is all over, so the person who believes in all God across all religion is Pantheist
- Monotheist – Mono connotes one, so those who believe in one god are monotheists.
Also, check the One Word substitution Questions & Answers asked in various government exams.
7. Root word – Fact – coming from the Latin language – Meaning – something that is “made” or “done”. Let’s check the different words with this root word –
- Factory: is a place where something is “made”.
- Manufactured: A place where something is made too. Manufactured originally means something that is made in large scale.
- Artifact – something that is made by human skills
- Factor – is a “maker”. For example, a beautiful painting done by someone is a deciding factor who gained the rank of a master- painter.
- Benefactor – Someone who does good for other people
- Stupefaction – something that made you completely surprised
- Petrifaction – a superpower that makes people turn into stones by just gazing at them
- Malefactor – someone that does evil to human
- Satisfaction – done enough
All the words formed of the root word ‘fact’ connotes something done or made.
8. Root Word – Dict/Dic – a Latin word – Meaning– Say
English words containing Dict/Dic in them –
- Prediction – say something beforehand.
- Dictated – say something to someone
- Verdict – speaking or saying the truth
- Indicate – make known about something by saying
- Contradict – say something against
- Dictionary – a book that tells us how to say a certain word correctly.
- Addicted – when we want to say or declare that we are in love with certain things.
Candidates preparing for various government exams can check the following topics for preparation:
- Idioms And Phrases
- List of Synonyms and Antonyms
- Letter Writing Format
- Active And Passive Voice Rules
9. Root Word – Cide, a Latin word, Meaning a person or something that kills, Act of killing.
There are many words in the English language formed with the root word Cide –
- Patricide – Patri means Father, so the killing of one’s father is Patricide
- Uxoricide – Husband who kills his wife, Uxor means Wife.
- Maritricide – Marit is husband, so Maritricide is killing of one’s husband
- Infanticide – Infant is a child, the killing of a child is infanticide.
So, it can be understood that the words with root word Cide connote killing of someone or something.
10. Root Word – Anti, a Greek word, Meaning – Opposite or against
The English words formed of the root word ‘Anti’ –
- Antiseptic – working against infection
- Antidote – working against the effect of the poison
- Antisocial – opposite to social norms
- Antioxidants – compounds that work against the chemical reactions that damage the cells of an organism.
Remember, anything with the root word ‘anti’ is supposed to do against or opposite of something.
Given below are a few links that give questions and answers of important verbal ability topics that are asked in various government examinations, candidates can check these for practice and revision.
For more such questions and answers on different topics or to get more concepts and rules-based explanations of various topics covered in the Verbal Ability section, check the linked page.
Root Words That are Common English Words
There are certain root words that form a standalone word of its own or as part of other common words in the English language. Given below are some common English words that are root words as well:
- Act – meaning – to move or do, other English words- actor, acting, reenact
- Crypt – Meaning – to hide, other English words – cryptic, apocryphal, cryptography
- Ego – meaning – Self-importance, Other words formed of it egotist, egocentric, egomaniac
- Legal – meaning – related to the law, other words in English – illegal, legalities, paralegal
- Form – meaning – shape, words formed from it – conform, reform, formulate
- Phobia – meaning – fear – words formed from this root word are already discussed above.
- Norm – meaning – typical, other English words – abnormal, paranormal, normality.
Given below is the Root words list that originates from either Latin or Greek words and forms the basis of different English words.
Root Words from the Greek Language | ||
Root Words | Meaning | Examples |
meter/metr | measure | thermometer, perimeter |
tele | far off | television, telephone |
psycho | soul; spirit | psychology, psychic |
therm | heat | thermal, thermometer |
techno | art; science; skill | technique, technological |
pseudo | not genuine, false | pseudonym, pseudoscience |
morph | form; shape | morphology, morphing |
photo/phos | light | photograph, phosphorous |
phon | sound | phone, symphony |
hydr | water | hydration, dehydrate |
mono | one | monologue, monotonous |
mis/miso | hate | misanthrope, misogyny |
micro | small | microbe, microscope |
hetero | different | heteronym, heterogeneous |
scope | viewing instrument | microscope, telescope |
hypo | below; beneath | hypothermia, hypothetical |
homo | same | homonym, homogenous |
chron | time | chronological, chronic |
gram | thing written | epigram, telegram |
auto | self | autobiography, automobile |
dyna | power | dynamic, dynamite |
bio | life | biology, biography |
dys | bad; hard; unlucky | dysfunctional, dyslexic |
phobia | fear | claustrophobia, phobic |
logy | study of | biology, psychology |
graph | writing | graphic, phonograph |
nym | name | antonym, synonym |
anthrop | man; human; humanity | anthropologist, philanthropy |
Candidates preparing for various government exams can check the relevant links given below:
- Free Online Mock Tests For Government exams
- Previous Year Question Papers WIth Solution For Government exams
The table below gives the English root words taken from the Latin language:
English Root Words From the Latin Language | ||
Root Words | Meaning | Examples |
aqua | water | aquarium, aquamarine |
bene | good | benefactor, benevolent |
circum | around | circumference, circumstance |
duc/duct | to lead | conduct, induce |
cent | one hundred | century, percent |
mal | bad | malevolent, malefactor |
mater | mother | material, maternity |
form | shape | conform, reform |
ambi | both | ambiguous, ambidextrous |
dict | to say | dictation, dictator |
mit | to send | transmit, admit |
fort | strength | fortitude, fortress |
fract | to break | fracture, fraction |
struct | to build | destruction, restructure |
scrib/scribe | to write | inscription, prescribe |
ject | throw | projection, rejection |
multi | many | multimedia, multiple |
fac | to do; to make | factory, manufacture |
aud | to hear | audience, audition |
sect/sec | to cut | bisect, section |
jud | judge | judicial, prejudice |
mort | death | mortal, mortician |
pater | father | paternal, paternity |
port | to carry | portable, transportation |
contra/counter | against | contradict, encounter |
rupt | to break | bankrupt, disruption |
voc | voice; to call | vocalize, advocate |
spect | to look | inspection, spectator |
vid/vis | to see | video, televise |
sent | to feel; to send | consent, resent |
English Root Words List:-Download PDF Here
Candidates preparing for the various government exams can refer to the detailed exam syllabus in the links given below:
Cambridge Exam English (Part 3): Word formation
In this part of the exam the candidate is given the most basic form of a word, known as “the root” form. You need to change the prefix or suffix to adapt the word into the correct form and make it fit in the 8 gaps in the text so that it makes perfect sense.
The best way to do this exercise is to focus on the word class (type of word: noun, verb, adjective, adverb), grammar (singular or plural, verb tenses, +/-) and spelling. The words must be spelled correctly and if a capital letter is needed, it must be used.
You ought to think of this as a 3 step process:
- What type of word do I want? Noun, verb, adjective or adverb.
- What grammar is needed? Singular or plural noun, the tense of the verb
- Is it affirmative or negative? Which prefix or suffix do I need?
To aid the candidate´s understanding of this part of the exam. we have included a prefix and suffix list, high frequency root words list and also example sentences with answers in the extra resource section.
The best way to improve this part of the exam is to focus on the root words and learn all of the different word classes for each one. We have provided a comprehensive list for you.
Download these words in PDF HERE
VERB |
NOUN |
ADJECTIVE |
ADVERB |
ABSENT | N/A | ABSENCE | ABSENT | ABSENTLY |
APPROPRIATE | APPROPRIATE | N/A | APPROPRIATE | APPROPRIATELY |
ATTRACT | ATTRACT | ATTRACTION | ATTRACTIVE | ATTRACTIVELY |
ABLE | ENABLE | ABILITY | ABLE | N/A |
ACCURATE | N/A | ACCURACY | ACCURATE | ACCURATELY |
ASSIST | ASSIST | ASSISTANCE | ASSISTED | N/A |
APPEAR | APPEAR | APPEARANCE | APPEARED | N/A |
ADVANCE | ADVANCE | ADVANCEMENT | ADVANCED | N/A |
ADD | ADD | ADDITION | ADDED | N/A |
ADDICT | ADDICT | ADDICTION | ADDICTED | ADDITIVELY |
ARGUE | ARGUE | ARGUMENT | ARGUMENTATIVE | ARGUMENTATIVELY |
ACT | ACT | ACTION | N/A | N/A |
AFFORD | AFFORD | N/A | AFFORDABLE | N/A |
ADVISE | ADVISE | ADVICE | ADVISED | ADVISINGLY |
ARRANGE | ARRANGE | ARRANGEMENT | ARRANGED | N/A |
BEGIN | BEGIN | BEGINNING | BEGUN | N/A |
BELIEVE | BELIEVE | BELIEF | BELIEVED | N/A |
BORE | BORE | BOREDOM | BORED/BORING | BORINGLY |
BRAVE | BRAVE (OUT) | BRAVERY | BRAVE | BRAVELY |
BEHAVE | BEHAVE | BEHAVIOUR | BEHAVED | N/A |
BLOCK | BLOCK | BLOCKAGE | BLOCKED | N/A |
BROAD | BROADEN | N/A | BROAD | N/A |
BEG | BEG | BEGGAR | BEGGED | BEGGINGLY |
BELONG | BELONG | BELONGING(S) | N/A | N/A |
BOOK | BOOK | BOOKING | BOOKED | N/A |
CREDIT | N/A | CREDIT | CREDITED | N/A |
CREATE | CREATE | CREATION | CREATED | N/A |
COMMON | N/A | COMMONER | COMMON | COMMONLY |
COME | COME | N/A | N/A | N/A |
CHARGE | CHARGE | CHARGE/ CHARGER | CHARGED | N/A |
COVER | COVER | COVER | COVERED | N/A |
CERTAIN | N/A | CERTAINTY | CERTAIN | CERTAINLY |
CYCLE | CYCLE | CYCLE/BICYCLE | N/A | N/A |
CHOOSE | CHOOSE | CHOICE | CHOSEN | N/A |
COLLECT | COLLECT | COLLECTION | COLLECTED | COLLECTIVELY |
CONFIDE | CONFIDE | CONFIDENCE | CONFIDENT | CONFIDENTLY |
CONTINUE | CONTINUE | CONTINUATION | CONTINUED | N/A |
COMBINE | COMBINE | COMBINATION | COMBINED | N/A |
CONTAIN | CONTAIN | CONTAINER | CONTAINED | N/A |
CORRECT | CORRECT | CORRECTION | CORRECTED | N/A |
CALL | CALL/RECALL | CALL | N/A | N/A |
COMPLAIN | COMPLAIN | COMPLAINT | N/A | N/A |
CONSIDER | CONSIDER | CONSIDERATION | N/A | N/A |
DESCRIBE | DESCRIBE | DESCRIPTION | DESCRIBED | N/A |
DIFFER | DIFFER | DIFFERENCE | DIFFERENT | DIFFERENTLY |
DANGER | ENDANGER | DANGER | DANGEROUS | DANGEROUSLY |
DEPEND | DEPEND | DEPENDENCE | DEPENDENT | DEPENDENTLY |
DESIGN | DESIGN | DESIGN | DESIGNED | N/A |
DECIDE | DECIDE | DECISION | DECIDED | DECIDEDLY |
DENY | DENY | DENIAL | DENIED | DENYINGLY |
DEVELOP | DEVELOP | DEVELOPMENT/DEVELOPER | DEVELOPED | N/A |
DISTANT | DISTANCE | DISTANCE | DISTANT | DISTANTLY |
DESTROY | DESTROY | DESTRUCTION | DESTROYED | N/A |
DETAIN | DETAIN | DETENTION | DETAINED | N/A |
DISAPPOINT | DISAPPOINT | DISAPPOINTMENT | DISAPPOINTED | DISAPPOINTEDLY |
DELIVER | DEVIVER | DELIVERY | DELIVERED | N/A |
DO | DO | N/A | DONE | N/A |
DEAL | DEAL | DEALING/DEALER | DEALT | N/A |
EASY | EASE | EASE | EASY | EASILY |
EXTREME | N/A | N/A | EXTREME | EXTREMELY |
EMOTION | EMOTE | EMOTION | EMOTIONAL | EMOTIONALLY |
EXCITE | EXCITE | EXCITEMENT | EXCITED/EXCITING | EXCITEDLY |
EXCEPT | EXCEPT | EXCEPTION | N/A | N/A |
EFFECT | N/A | EFFECT | EFFECTIVE | EFFECTIVELY |
ENJOY | ENJOY | ENJOYMENT | ENJOYED | ENJOYINGLY |
EQUIP | EQUIP | EQUIPMENT | EQUIPPED | N/A |
ELECTRIC | ELECTROCUTE | ELECTRICITY | ELECTRIC | ELECTRICALLY |
EMPLOY | EMPLOY | EMPLOYMENT | EMPLOYED | N/A |
EVADE | EVADE | EVASION | EVADED | EVADINGLY |
ERODE | ERODE | EROSION | ERODED | N/A |
EMIT | EMIT | EMISSION | EMITTED | N/A |
EXPLODE | EXPLOSE | EXPLOSION | EXPLODED | N/A |
ENDURE | ENDURE | ENDURANCE | ENDURED | N/A |
EDUCATE | EDUCATE | EDUCATION | EDUCATED | N/A |
EAGER | N/A | EAGERNESS | EAGER | EAGERLY |
END | END | ENDING | N/A | N/A |
EARN | EARN | EARNINGS | EARNED | N/A |
EXPECT | EXPECT | EXPECTATION | EXPECTED | EXPECTEDLY |
FORTUNATE | N/A | FORTUNE | FORTUNATE | FORTUNATELY |
FAR | N/A | N/A | FAR/FURTHER | N/A |
FASCINATE | FASCINATE | FASCINATION | FASCINATED | FASCINATINGLY |
FEED | FEED | FEED | FED | N/A |
FANTASY | FANTASIZE | FANTASY | FANTASTIC | FANTASTICALLY |
FEEL | FEEL | FEELING | FELT | N/A |
FREE | FREE | FREEDOM | FREE | FREELY |
FIND | FIND | FINDINGS | FOUND | N/A |
FOLLOW | FOLLOW | FOLLOWER | FOLLOWED | N/A |
FLY | FLY | FLIGHT | N/A | N/A |
GROW | GROW | GROWTH | GROWN | GROWINGLY |
GET | GET/FORGET | N/A | FORGETFUL | FORGETFULLY |
GATHER | GATHER | GATHERING | GATHERED | N/A |
GAIN | GAIN | N/A | GAINED | N/A |
GO | GO/UNDERGO | GONER | GONE | N/A |
GUESS | GUESS | GUESS | GUESSED | GUESSINGLY |
GAMBLE | GAMBLE | GAMBLER | GAMBLED | N/A |
HEAL | HEAL | HEALTH | HEALTHY | HEALTHILY |
HIGH | HEIGHTEN | HEIGHT | HIGH | HIGHLY |
HUMAN | HUMANIZE | HUMAN | HUMANE | HUMANELY |
HAPPY | N/A | HAPPINESS | HAPPY | HAPPILY |
HOOK | HOOK | HOOK | HOOKED | N/A |
HOLD | HOLD | HOLDING | HELD | N/A |
HAND | HAND (IN) | HAND | HANDY | HANDILY |
HELP | HELP | HELP/HELPER/HELPING | HELPFUL/HELPLESS | HELPFULLY/HELPLESSLY |
IMPRESS | IMPRESS | IMPRESSION | IMPRESSIVELY | IMPRESSIVELY |
ILL | N/A | ILLNESS | ILL | N/A |
INTEND | INTEND | INTENTION | INTENDED | INTENTIONALLY |
IMPROVE | IMPROVE | IMPROVEMENT | IMPROVED | N/A |
INFORM | INFORM | INFORMATION | INFORMED/INFORMATIVE | INFORMATIVELY |
INSIST | INSIST | INSISTENCE | INSISTENT | INSISTENTLY |
INSTANT | N/A | INSTANT/INSTANCE | INSTANT | INSTANTLY |
INTEREST | INTEREST | INTEREST | INTERESTED/INTERESTING | INTERESTINGLY |
INVENT | INVENT | INVENTION | INVENTED | N/A |
IMPORT | IMPORT | IMPORTATION | IMPORTED | N/A |
IMAGINE | IMAGINE | IMAGINATION | IMAGINATIVE | IMAGINATIVELY |
ILLUSTRATE | ILLUSTRATE | ILLUSTRATION | ILLUSTRATED | N/A |
INVEST | INVEST | INVESTMENT | INVESTED | N/A |
INSTRUCT | INSTRUCT | INSTRUCTION | INSTRUCTIVE | INSTRUCTIVELY |
KNOW | KNOW | KNOWLEDGE | KNOWLEDGEABLE | N/A |
KNACKER | KNACKER | N/A | KNACKERED | N/A |
LONG | LENGTHEN | LENGTH | LENGTH | N/A |
LOSE | LOSE | LOSS | LOST | N/A |
LUCK | N/A | LUCK | LUCKY | LUCKILY |
LAND | LAND | LANDING | LANDED | N/A |
LIE | LIE | LIE/LIAR | N/A | N/A |
MIX | MIX | MIXTURE | MIXED | N/A |
MOVE | MOVE/REMOVE | MOVEMENT | MOVED | MOVINGLY |
MEASURE | MEASURE | MEASUREMENT | MEASURED | N/A |
MEAN | MEAN | MEANING | N/A | N/A |
MATURE | N/A | MATURITY | MATURE | MATURELY |
MEMORY | MEMORIZE | MEMORY | MEMORIZED | N/A |
MANAGE | MANAGE | MANAGEMENT | MANAGED | N/A |
MARK | MARK | MARK | MARKED | N/A |
NATURE | NATURALIZE | NATURE | NATURAL | NATURAL |
NEED | NEED | NECESSITY | NEEDY | N/A |
NEW | RENEW | RENEWAL | NEW/RENEWABLE | N/A |
NOISE | N/A | NOISE | NOISY | NOISILY |
NOTE | NOTICE | NOTE/NOTICE | NOTABLE | NOTABLY |
OPEN | OPEN | OPENING | OPEN | N/A |
ORIGIN | ORIGINATE | ORIGIN | ORIGINAL | ORIGINALLY |
OCCUPY | OCCUPY | OCCUPATION | OCCUPIED | N/A |
OWN | OWN | OWNER | OWNED | OWINGLY |
ORDER | ORDER | ORDER | ORDERED | ORDEREDLY |
PICK | PICK | PICKINGS | PICKY | PICKILY |
PEACE | N/A | PEACE | PEACEFUL | PEACEFULLY |
PLEASE | PLEASE | PLEASURE | PLEASANT | PLEASANTLY |
POPULAR | POPULATE | POPULATION | POPULAR | POPULARLY |
PERFORM | PERFORM | PERFORMANCE | ||
PERFECT | PERFECT | PERFECTION | PERFECT | PERFECTLY |
POSSIBLE | N/A | POSSIBILITY | POSSIBLE | POSSIBLY |
POSITIVE | N/A | POSITIVITY | POSITIVE | POSITIVELY |
PRACTICE | PRACTISE | PRACTICE | PRACTICAL | PRACTICALLY |
PATIENT | N/A | PATIENCE | PATIENT | PATIENTLY |
PROVE | PROVE | PROOF | PROVABLE | N/A |
PRODUCE | PRODUCE | PRODUCT/PRODUCTION | PRODUCED | N/A |
PRESS | PRESS | PRESS/PRESSURE | PRESSURIZED | N/A |
PROUD | N/A | PRIDE | PROUD | N/A |
PRONOUNCE | PRONOUNCE | PRONUNCIATION | PRONOUNCED | N/A |
PAIN | N/A | PAIN | PAINFUL | PAINFULLY |
PACK | PACK | PACKAGE | PACKED | N/A |
PLAY | PLAY | PLAYER | PLAYFUL | PLAYFULLY |
PAY | PAY | PAYMENT | PAID | N/A |
PUNISH | PUNISH | PUNISHMENT | PUNISHED | N/A |
RECYCLE | RECYCLE | RECYCLING | RECYCLED | N/A |
REPAIR | REPAIR | REPAIRS | REPAIRED | N/A |
REMARK | REMARK | REMARKS | N/A | N/A |
RELY | RELY | RELIANCE | RELIABLE | RELIABLY |
RELAX | RELAX | RELAXATION | RELAXED/RELAXING | RELAXINGLY |
RESPOND | RESPOND | RESPONSE | RESPONSIVE | RESPONSIVELY |
RESIDE | RESIDE | RESIDENT/RESIDENCE | RESIDED | N/A |
REGRET | REGRET | REGRET | REGRETFUL | REGRETFULLY |
REGARD | REGARD | REGARDS | REGARDED | N/A |
REFUSE | REFUSE | REFUSAL | REFUSED | N/A |
SEARCH | SEARCH | SEARCH | N/A | N/A |
SURROUND | SURROUND | SURROUNDING | SURROUNDED | N/A |
SPEND | SPEND | EXPENSE(S) | EXPENSIVE | EXPENSIVELY |
SUPPORT | SUPPORT | SUPPORT/SUPPORTER | SUPPORTIVE | SUPPORTIVELY |
STATE | STATE | STATEMENT | STATED | N/A |
SATISFY | SATISFY | SATISFACTION | SATISFIED/SATISFYING | SATISFYINGLY |
SURRENDER | SURRENDER | SURRENDER | SURRENDERED | N/A |
STARE | STARE | STARE | N/A | N/A |
SUCCESS | SUCCEED | SUCCESS | SUCCESSFUL | SUCCESSFULLY |
SOLVE | SOLVE | SOLUTION | SOLVED | N/A |
SCIENCE | N/A | SCIENCE/SCIENTIST | SCIENTIFIC | N/A |
SUIT | SUIT | SUIT | SUITABLE | SUITABLY |
SURPRISE | SURPRISE | SURPRISE | SURPRISED/SURPRISING | SURPRISINGLY |
SURE | ENSURE | SECURITY | SURE | SURELY |
STRONG | STRENGTHEN | STRENGTH | STRONG | STRONGLY |
SURVIVE | SURVIVE | SURVIVAL | SURVIVED | N/A |
SOCIAL | SOCIALIZE | SOCIETY | SOCIAL | SOCIALLY |
SENSE | SENSE | SENSE | SENSITIVE | SENTETIVELY |
STORE | STORE | STORAGE | STORED | N/A |
SIGNIFY | SIGNIFY | SIGNIFICANCE | SIGNIFICANT | SIGNIFICANTLY |
SUGGEST | SUGGEST | SUGGESTION | SUGGESTIVE | SUGGESTIVELY |
STUBBORN | N/A | STUBBORNESS | STUBBORN | STUBBORNLY |
SPECIAL | SPECIALIZE | SPECIALITY | SPECIAL | SPECIALLY |
SHAME | SHAME | SHAME | ASHAMED | ASHAMINGLY |
TRUE | N/A | TRUTH | TRUE | TRULY |
TYPE | TYPE | TYPE | TYPICAL | TYPICALLY |
TOLERATE | TOLERATE | TOLERATION | TOLERATED | N/A |
TEST | TEST | TEST | TESTED | TESTEDLY |
TALK | TALK | TALK | TALKATIVE | N/A |
USE | USE | USE/USAGE | USEFUL | USEFULLY |
UNDERSTAND | UNDERSTAND | UNDERSTANDING | UNDERSTOOD/UNDERSTANDING | UNDERSTANDINGLY |
VARY | VARY | VARIETY | VARIED | N/A |
VALUE | VALUE | VALUE | VALUABLE | VALUABLY |
WHOLE | N/A | WHOLE | WHOLE | WHOLEY |
WIDE | WIDEN | WIDTH | WIDE | WIDELY |
WEIGH | WEIGH | WEIGHT | N/A | N/A |
WARN | WARN | WARNING | WARNED | WARNINGLY |
WIN | WIN | WINNINGS | WON | N/A |
WORRY | WORRY | WORRY | WORRIED | WORRIEDLY |
WORK | WORK | WORK | HARDWORKING | N/A |
WEAR | WEAR | N/A | WORN | N/A |
WINGE | WINGE | WINGE | WINGING | N/A |
WARRANT | WARRANT | WARRANTY | N/A | N/A |
WIND | WIND | N/A | WOUND (UP) | N/A |
Download these words in PDF HERE
Many words in the English language are formed by taking base words or root words and adding combinations of prefixes and suffixes to them.
A root word is the primary form of a word. While root words may contain the core meaning of the word, they cannot stand alone. For example, “bene” is the root in the word “beneficial.”
A base word is slightly different from a root because a base is the basic form of a word that can stand on its own. For example, “commit” is the base in the word “commitment.” To differentiate the two, just remember that a base can have affixes attached to it, but it does not have to; a root must have an affix (prefix or suffix), or another root, attached to it in order to make it a whole word.
A prefix is a word part that is placed at the beginning of a word to change or enhance its meaning. For example, “dis—” is the prefix of the word “disagree.”
A suffix is a word part that is placed at the end of a word to change or enhance its meaning. For example, “—ful” is the suffix of the word “thankful.”
Most English words are actually derivatives of ancient Greek and Latin words. Knowing Greek and Latin roots is an essential reading comprehension strategy for students because they could determine the meaning of an unknown word if they were familiar with any of the prefixes, suffixes, or root words attached to it. When context clues fail, breaking down words into their smallest parts can ensure your students will be successful.
For example, students might not know what the word “contradict” means, but if they know that “contra” means against and “dict” means speak, they can determine that contradict means: to assert the opposite against what someone has said. Another example is the word “incredulous.” If students know that “in” means not, “cred” means believe, and “ous” means having, then they could conclude incredulous means: not having a readiness to believe things easily.
Greek and Latin word parts are a tool you want your students to have in their academic tool belt because having a strong vocabulary helps students tremendously with reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Below you can find a FREE, downloadable copy of the 300 most commonly used Greek and Latin root words, suffixes, and prefixes. You can choose particular word parts from the list below to use in your classroom or provide students with this comprehensive list to keep for reference.
I want to make a comprehensive word list, and I want to refer to that list using the accurate terminology.
In my list I want all the forms, extensions, derivatives, etc of each word. I am using the word «forms» but is that right?
For instance «glass» is a root word…. Some forms are «glassed», «glasses», «glassy», «glassiest», «glassier», «glassing», «glazing», and probably more… And «blue» is a root word and some forms are «blueness», «bluish», «blued», «bluing», «blues», «bluesy» and more, but not necessarily «bluegrass» or all the other words containing that sequence of four letters. (Those may be distinct root words, with their own derivative forms).
Is there a term for all the derivations of a root?
I am having a hard time even searching the web for what I want because I don’t know the word! Is it «derivations», «derivatives», «morphs», or something?
P.S. it is for a software project involving random words in a security system.
accelerate — to increase the speed of; accessible — easily entered, approached, or obtained; admittance — allowing into;
acrobat — a «high walker»; acronym — a word formed from the first (capital) letters of a word; acrophobia — fear of height
Greek
again, throughout
Greek
aster
perceive — to take notice of something; captivating — taking hold of
completely, intensive,
according to
caut
Greek
cauterize — to burn with a hot instrument; caustic — capable of burning or eating away; holocaust — total devastation, especially by fire
ceed,
cess
exceed — to go beyond the limits; recede — to go back; accessible — easily entered, approached, or obtained;
circle
deka
not, to the opposite
apart, across
Greek
among, at, after,
to, outside
fleur
the meaning of a word)
genesis
formation, kind
Greek
Greek
homeo
Greek
excessive, beyond
Greek
Greek
in, ir
intro
/mat
leuc/o
lith/o
excessive desire
marina — a harbor for pleasure boats; maritime — relating to the sea; submarine — an undersea boat; aquamarine — color of sea water.
matr/i
mers
Greek
metr/y
Greek
to hate
nunc
surpasses, exceeds
assistant
patr/i
Greek
peps
/e/y
forming cells
for, forward
Latin
pung
radix
/oea/ag
Greek
script
spic
inferior to
or quantity
/n/l/s
third
Latin
vert
next in rank
vic
vit
vour
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- English (Language)
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Transcript
Hey, there! Welcome to this video on root words, prefixes, and suffixes.
Many of the words we speak in English are made up of Latin and Greek words, but we have added prefixes and suffixes to them. Prefixes and suffixes are known as affixes.
The original word, before you add the affixes, is known as a root word. A root word can stand on its own as a complete word. For example the word reform. Re- is the prefix, and form is the root word. Form, by itself, is still a word. A root, on the other hand, does not typically make up a complete word on its own. For example, transmit. The trans is the prefix meaning across, and mit is the root meaning “to send.” Mit, by itself, is not a complete word.
Now, let’s take a look at what prefixes and suffixes actually are.
Words can be long and difficult at times, but understanding root words and the affixes can help you to understand the meaning of those long words and make them less scary.
New words can be made by adding a prefix before or a suffix after a root or root word.
When an affix is added before the root or root word, it is called a prefix. A helpful way to remember this is by looking at the word prefix itself. Pre means “before,” and a prefix comes before the root or root word.
A prefix often changes the meaning of a word. For instance, the word usual just means that something is customary or habitual. However, when you add the prefix un-, meaning “not” or “opposite of,” to the beginning, it changes the meaning of the word. Now, we have the word unusual, which means that something is not usual, not common, or is rare. Prefixes have definitions of their own, so when we add them onto a root word or root, we have to understand that the meaning of the word has been modified.
Now, an affix that is added to the end of a root or root word is called a suffix. Unlike a prefix, a suffix typically does not change the meaning of the word, at least not in a major way. Instead, a suffix typically adds more specification. For instance, if I say that someone is tall, you think of a person who is above the average or normal height. However, when I say someone is taller, I’m letting you know that a person is tall in comparison to another person, but they may not be tall in general.
Take a look:
Mark is tall.
Mark is taller than Jeff.
The meaning of the word is still referring to the height of a person or an object, but adding the suffix has changed the specification.
A suffix can add plurality, which just means that there are more than one of something. The most popular suffixes are -s and -es. These are examples of suffixes that add plurality. I actually just did this with the word suffix. When I just say “suffix,” I am letting you know that there is only one, but when I say “suffixes,” I’ve added plurality, letting you know that there is more than one.
Words can have a prefix, root or root word, and suffix all in one.
Let’s look at the word destruction
De- is the prefix meaning “opposite.” Struct is the Latin root meaning “to build,” and -ion is the suffix meaning “act or process.” Understanding the meaning of prefixes, roots or root words, and suffixes helps us to understand the proper meaning of a word. With our definition of the prefix, root, and suffix, in the word destruction, we can see that the opposite of building is happening.
There are thousands of roots and root words out there that are used in the English language. There are fewer prefixes and suffixes combined than there are roots and root words. Practice finding the prefixes, roots and root words, and suffixes in the words you use in class and at home.
The more you practice, the easier it will be for you to understand the meaning of words that you have never even heard of.
I hope this video on prefixes, roots and root words, and suffixes was helpful for you!
See you next time!
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