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cred
The
ROOT-WORD is CRED which means BELIEVE. It is easy to see that our ROOT-WORD ring is filling up. Many of the words on the list are made with review ROOT-WORDS. That is proof that the vocabulary is growing richer and that you know, at sight, the meanings of new words.
1. Credo : CRED o (kreed’ o) n.
A set of opinions; a creed
2. Creed : CREED (kreed) n.
A formula of faith; a set of principles
3. Credit : CRED it (kred’ it) n.
Value; worth
4. Creditable : CRED itable (kred’ it a b’l) adj.
Can be believed
5. Creditably : CRED itably (kred’ is a blee) adv.
In such a manner that something is believed
6. Discreditable : dis CRED itable (dis kred’ it a b’l) adj.
Not worthy of belief
7. Discreditably : dis CRED itably (dis kred’ it a blee) adv
Not believably
8. Creditor : CRED itor (kred’ it or) n.
One who loans money to another
9. Credulity : CRED ulity (kre dyu’ lit ee) n.
A willingness to believe easily
10. Incredulity : In CRED ulity (in kre dyu’ lit ee) n.
11. Credulous : CRED ulous (krej’ u lus) adj.
Inclined to believe readily
12. Incredulous : in CRED ulous (in krej’ us lus) adj.
Not inclined to believe
13. Incredulously : in CRED ulously (in krej’ u lus lee) adv.
Distrustingly
14. Credulously : CRED ulously (krej’ us lus lee) adv.
Trustingly
15. Accredit : ac CRED it (a kred; it) v.
To recognize as acceptable for approval; as, to accredit a school
16. Accreditation : ac CRED itation (a kred i tay’ shun) n.
A certificate of acceptance
17. Credence : CRED ence (kreed’ ens) n.
Belief; as, he earned the credence of his creditors
18. Credibly : CRED ibly (kred’ i blee) adv.
Believably; plausibly
19. Incredibly : in CRED ibly (in kred’ i blee) adv.
EtymologyHOME PAGE
Words can be puzzling for students as they are often pieced together by many different word parts (morphemes). A single word might contain a prefix, a suffix, root, and a base or root word, each part holding important information. A root word can be defined as a basic standalone word in which affixes can be added to create new words. A root is the basis of a word and it typically does not stand alone. Teaching root words to kids can help increase students’ proficiency at identifying roots and forming complete words.
It is essential to start teaching root words to kids early so students can develop an understanding of root words, roots, and other morphemes in order to deconstruct words and build word meaning. Our root word spelling lists, used in conjunction with engaging root word games and exercises, are a great way to improve student understanding of how words are formed.
Morphemes, also referred to as word-part clues, are units of language that hold meaning, but cannot be broken down any further into smaller meaningful parts. Two basic types of morphemes exist: bound and free. Bound morphemes cannot stand alone and must be attached to other morphemes to form a word, acting as the building blocks of a word. Affixes (prefixes and suffixes) and Latin and Greek root words are bound morphemes. Free morphemes, on the other hand, can stand alone. Free morphemes include English root words, such as the root word “teach” in “teacher.” Two free morphemes can join to form a compound word, for example “dog” and “house” to form “doghouse.” Morphemes are imperative when teaching root words to kids, and our root words games, exercises, and word lists can help students master the puzzles of word creation.
Prefixes and suffixes can be added to a root word to form many new words and change word meaning. Often the term base word is used interchangeably with root word. When affixes are added to them, they serve as the anchor of the word because they hold the word’s principle meaning.
While there are many conflicting definitions of root words and base words, teachers need to keep in mind the importance of teaching these topics. Knowledge of morphemes, like word roots, helps with reading fluency, vocabulary development, and reading comprehension.
Root Words Spelling Lists
Root Words with Prefixes
- disappear
- reappear
- disapprove
- misbehave
- discomfort
- redirect
- unhappy
- unkind
- unpack
- replay
List of Root Words with Affixes
- dishonesty
- uncomfortable
- unkindness
- unworthy
- abnormally
- unhappiness
- unreasonable
- unlikely
- disrespectful
- unsuccessful
Root Words with Suffixes
- appearance
- breaking
- breakable
- careful
- careless
- hopeful
- hopeless
- kindness
- loveable
- lovely
Latin & Greek Root Word Lists
Many words in the English language possess a Greek or Latin root. Below is a list of commonly used Greek and Latin roots, their meanings, and words containing them to use when teaching root words to kids.
Greek and Latin Root Words |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Root Word | Meaning | Origin | Example |
astro | star | Greek | astronaut |
aud | hear | Latin | audio |
auto | self | Greek | automatic |
bene | good | Latin | benevolent |
cred | believe | Latin | credible |
dict | say | Latin | dictate |
meter | measure | Greek | kilometer |
micro | small | Greek | microscope |
form | shape | Latin | formation |
graph | write | Greek | autograph |
hydr | water | Greek | dehydrate |
liter | letter | Latin | literature |
multi | many | Latin | multiple |
pend | hang | Latin | appendix |
port | carry | Latin | transportation |
sect | cut apart | Greek | dissect |
struct | build | Latin | construct |
tele | from afar | Greek | telephone |
therm | heat | Greek | thermometer |
vac | empty | Greek | evacuate |
English Root Word Lists
Root words are words in their own right, but are also the basis of many other words. Prefixes, suffixes, or both affixes may be added to expand upon a root word. Below are words containing English root words. To make teaching root words to kids easier than ever you can access additional word lists on VocabularySpellingCity and pair with root word games and exercises for engaging practice!
English Root Words |
|
---|---|
Root Word | Examples |
appear | reappear, appearance, disappear |
break | breakable, breaking, unbreakable |
build | rebuild, builder, unbuild |
care | caring, careful, careless |
comfort | discomfort, comfortable, uncomfortable |
count | counting, counter, countless |
employ | unemploy, employment, unemployment |
faith | faithful, faithfully, unfaithful |
fear | fearless, fearful, fearing |
friend | friendly, friendship, unfriendly |
happy | happiness, unhappy, unhappiness |
hope | hopeful, hopeless, hoped |
joy | joyful, enjoyment, overjoyed |
kind | unkind, kindness, unkindness |
love | loveable, lovely, loved |
pack | unpack, packed, packing |
play | replay, playful, played |
read | readable, reading, reader |
use | misuse, useful, used |
worth | worthy, unworthy, worthless |
Use Our Root Word Lists to Create Engaging Root Word Games and Activities for Students of All Ages!
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
go
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
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
do
effic
bring about, accomplish
ef-
out of, from
ef-
thoroughly
egor
assembly
ego
I
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
be
estim
fix the value of
est
be
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
more
-ious
of the nature of
ir
become angry
ir-
not
-ise
to make have a certain quality
-ish
to do something
-ish
of
-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
go
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
go
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
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
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
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
pin
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
more
pod
foot
point
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
do
preci
worth, price
prec
having prayed or entreated
pred
plunder
pregn
seize hold of
prehend
seize
prehens
seized hold of
press
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
follow
sed
sit, settle, rest
seem
fitting
sembl
copy
semin
seed
sem
sign
sens
felt, sensed, perceived
This is common root
sent
be
sent
feel, sense, perceive
This root has an audio rootcast.
This is common root
sen
old man, elder, old
sequ
follow
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
like
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
follow
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
go
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.
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.
22 filtered results
22 filtered results
Root Words
Greek Root Words #1
Unlock the secret to words like «dynamite» and «calligraphy!» Expand your vocabulary with this matching worksheet for common Greek roots.
6th grade
Reading & Writing
Latin Root Words #2
Explore the meaning of Latin roots with this matching activity! Build essential vocabulary skills with this sixth-grade worksheet.
6th grade
Reading & Writing
Latin Root Words #1
Explore the meaning of Latin roots like «scribe» and «spect» with this matching activity! Build essential vocabulary skills with this simple one-page worksheet.
5th grade
Reading & Writing
Latin Root Words #3
Dive into the meaning of Latin roots with this vocabulary-building matching activity!
7th grade
Reading & Writing
Find the Root Words
Children will practice spotting root words — and words with root words — as they complete a word search puzzle.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Common Root Words and their Meanings
Common Root Words and their Meanings
This worksheet encourages students to work together to think of as many examples of common root words as they can.
4th grade
Reading & Writing
Root Word, Suffix, and Prefix Review #4
Root Word, Suffix, and Prefix Review #4
Practice identifying and relating common prefixes, suffixes, and root words in vocabulary words with this helpful grammar worksheet!
6th grade
Reading & Writing
Root Word, Suffix, and Prefix Review #2
Root Word, Suffix, and Prefix Review #2
Assess students’ understanding of word parts and how they relate to word meaning with this grammar worksheet.
5th grade
Reading & Writing
Greek Root Words #2
Unlock the secret to words like “biodegradable” and “astronomer!” Expand your vocabulary with this matching worksheet for common Greek roots.
6th grade
Reading & Writing
Finding Root Words
Help your students review root words so they can analyze unfamiliar words and figure out the meaning without using a dictionary. In this worksheet, students will identify the root of each word containing suffixes and prefixes.
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Root Word Study: Spect
In this vocabulary-building worksheet, third graders will discover words with the root word «spect,» which means to look.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Root Word Ladder: Tele
Practice the root word TELE with this word play worksheet, perfect for strengthening vocabulary skills.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Root Word Study: Rupt
In this vocabulary-building worksheet, third graders will discover words with the root word «rupt,» which means to burst or break.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Root It Out: Word Sort
This cut-and-paste, categorizing activity helps students review root words!
4th grade
Reading & Writing
Practice Using Roots: Aud
Practice Using Roots: Aud
Dig into the meaning of the root word “aud” with this sixth-grade vocabulary worksheet by exploring the meaning of the words “audience” and “audible.”
6th grade
Reading & Writing
Practice Using Roots: Voc
Practice Using Roots: Voc
Dive into the meaning of the root word “voc” with this helpful vocabulary worksheet in which students use the definition of the root word to determine the meaning of other words.
6th grade
Reading & Writing
Practicing Using Prefixes
Practicing Using Prefixes
This worksheet gives fifth graders targeted practice with using the prefixes «de,» «circum,» «trans,» «sub,» «tri,» and «in.»
5th grade
Reading & Writing
Root Word Study: Sign
In this vocabulary-building worksheet, third graders will discover words with the root word «sign,» which means to mark or seal.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Root Word Wheel: Sign
Spin the wheel! Kids practice the root word SIGN and build out their vocabulary with this worksheet.
4th grade
Reading & Writing
In English grammar, a root word is the basic lexical unit of a word that carries its core meaning. It is the foundation upon which other words are built by adding prefixes and suffixes. Root words are also known as base words or stem words.
For example, the root word “love” can form other words such as “lovable”, “lovely”, “lover”, “lovingly”, etc. Similarly, the root word “play” can form “playful”, “player”, “playing”, “playground”, and so on.
Understanding root words can help improve vocabulary and comprehension skills as it allows one to recognize the meaning of unfamiliar words by breaking them down into their component parts.
How many word roots are there in English?
There is no definitive answer to the exact number of word roots in English as the language has borrowed extensively from other languages over time, resulting in a vast and constantly evolving vocabulary. However, some estimates suggest that there are thousands of word roots in English.
English has a diverse range of root words, including those of Latin, Greek, Germanic, French, and many other origins. These roots provide the basis for the construction of many English words, allowing speakers to easily understand new words and form new words themselves.
It’s worth noting that many English words have multiple roots, and some words have roots from more than one language. Additionally, some words have been created in English by combining two or more existing words, rather than by using a root word.
Here is a root word list in English:
Aqua: aquarium, aquatic, aquamarine, aqueduct, aquaplane
Aud: audio, auditorium, audible, audition, inaudible
Auto: automobile, autonomy, automatic, autograph, autocracy
Bene: benefit, benevolent, benefactor, benign, benediction
Biblio: bibliography, bibliophile, bibliotherapy, bibulous, bibliopole
Bio: biography, biosynthesis, biochemistry, biofeedback, biotech
Cap: capture, capacity, capsule, capitalize, decapitate
Cardi: cardiac, cardiology, cardiogram, cardiopulmonary, cardiomegaly
Cede: concede, recede, intercede, secede, antecedent
Cogn: recognize, cognitive, incognito, agnostic, cognizance
Corp: corporation, corpse, corporal, corpulent, corporatism
Crypto: cryptic, cryptography, cryptogram, encrypt, cryptologist
Demi: demigod, demitasse, demimonde, demirelief, demitint
Derm: dermatology, dermal, epidermis, hypodermic, taxidermy
Dict: dictate, dictator, diction, predict, verdict
Duct: conduct, ductile, ductwork, abduct, induct
Dyna: dynamic, dynamite, dynasty, hydrodynamic, thermodynamic
Equi: equal, equitable, equinox, equilateral, equidistant
Extra: extraordinary, extraterrestrial, extravagant, extraneous, extracurricular
Fer: transfer, infer, fertile, defer, aquifer
Fid: confident, fidelity, infidel, confidential, affidavit
Flu: fluid, fluctuate, influence, influenza, fluent
Fort: fortress, fortify, fortunate, fortitude, comfort
Fract: fracture, fraction, refract, infraction, fractal
Gen: generation, genetics, generate, genealogy, carcinogen
Geo: geology, geography, geocentric, geothermal, geopolitics
Graph: graphic, autograph, graphite, photography, lithograph
Hydro: hydrology, hydroplane, hydrophobia, dehydrate, hydrometer
Hyper: hyperactive, hyperbole, hypertension, hypercritical, hyperrealism
Hypo: hypodermic, hypoglycemia, hypothesis, hypothermia, hypotension
Intra: intramural, intravenous, intrapersonal, intrastate, intrauterine
Jur: justice, juror, jurisdiction, jury, injure
Loc: location, relocate, local, dislocate, locomotion
Log: logic, logarithm, dialogue, apology, analog
Luc: lucid, translucent, elucidate, lucubrate, pellucid
Macro: macroeconomics, macrocosm, macrophage, macronutrient, macroevolution
Mal: malevolent, malfunction, malnutrition, malcontent, maladjusted
Medi: medium, mediate, meditation, medieval, intermediary
Mega: megaphone, megalopolis, megabyte, megalomania, megafauna
Micro: microscope, microbe, microcosm, microeconomics, microchip
Naut: Nautical, astronaut, astronautics
Neo: Neoclassical, neologism, neonatal
Neuro: Neurology, neuroscience, neuropsychology
Oct: Octagon, octopus, octave
Omni: Omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent
Opt: Optimal, optician, optimize
Pac: Pacify, pacifist, pacifier
Pan: Panorama, pandemic, panacea
Path: Pathology, empathy, psychopath
Ped: Pedal, pedestrian, pediatrics
Phil: Philosophy, philanthropy, bibliophile
Phon: Phone, phonics, microphone
Photo: Photography, photogenic, photosynthesis
Pod: Podiatry, tripod, pseudopod
Poly: Polygon, polygamy, polymer
Quad: Quadrant, quadruple, quadrennial
Retro: Retroactive, retrograde, retrospective
Rhin: Rhinoceros, rhinoplasty, rhinestone
Scope: Telescope, microscope, periscope
Sect: Section, sectarian, bisect
Semi: Semifinal, semicolon, semiconscious
Sol: Solitude, solo, solar
Spec: Spectacle, specter, spectator
Super: Superman, superpower, supervises
Syn/Sym: Synchronize, synthesis, sympathy
Tele: Television, telegraph, telepathy
Terra: Terrestrial, terrain, extraterrestrial
Trans: Transportation, transfer, transcontinental
Ultra: Ultraviolet, ultrasonic, ultraconservative
Uni: Universe, unify, unicorn
Ver: Verify, veracity, veritable
Vice: Vice-president, viceroy, vice-chancellor
Vid/Vis: Video, visible, vision
Water: Waterproof, watercolor, waterlogged
Xeno: Xenophobia, xenophile, xenon
Y/yr: Yearly, anniversary, centenary
Zen: Zenith, zenon, zenana
Zo: Zoology, zoo, protozoan
Root Words List | Images
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