Choose the letter of the sentence in which the indicated word is used incorrectly.
a. In Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, a young man wastes his inheritance.
b. At a potlach, a ceremonial feast held among Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest, prodigal hosts may bestow gifts amounting to an entire fortune.
c. Struggling to find escape from her dull life as a village doctor’s wife, Emma Bovary became a prodigal, buying fancy clothes and furnishings on borrowed money.
d. Don’t prodigal electricity! Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
Is the category for this document correct?
- Foreign Language
- English (Language)
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Teachers frequently debate this question: What’s the difference between a root, base word, and stem? The reason teachers are forced to debate this question is that their textbooks present a model that quickly falls apart in the real world.
If teachers are confused, their students will also be confused. By the end of this page, you won’t be confused. To end this confusion, we will look at two systems:
1. The Traditional Root and Base-Word System for Kids
2. A Modern System of Morphemes, Roots, Bases, and Stems from Linguistics
The Traditional Root and Base-Word System for Kids
Here is a problem-filled system that, unfortunately, some students still learn.
Students learn that ROOTS are Greek and Latin roots. Most of these roots cannot stand alone as words when we remove the prefixes and suffixes.
Q e.g., Word: justify Latin Root: jus (law)
Students also learn that BASE WORDS can stand alone as words when we remove all of the prefixes and suffixes. Students learn that if it cannot stand alone when we remove all of the prefixes and suffixes, then it is not a base word.
Q e.g., Word: kindness Base Word: kind
The problem comes later in the day when the teacher is teaching verb tenses.
Q Teacher: Look at these two verbs: responded and responding. What’s the base word?
Q Student #1: Respond.
Q Teacher: Correct!
Q Student #2: Isn’t re- a prefix? If re- is a prefix, then respond can’t be a base word. I suspect that spond is a Latin root. Is it?
Q Teacher: I’m not sure. Let me research this. Yes, the word respond has the prefix re- attached to the Latin root spond. The Latin root spond comes from sponder, which means to pledge.
Although the teacher was looking for the answer “respond,” Student #2’s answer was the correct answer according to this Traditional System. That’s how easily the Traditional System falls apart. And the problems get worse from here.
Are you an elementary or middle school teacher? Have you taken a look at Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay on the homepage?
Modern Linguistics
I looked at a few current student textbooks from major publishers, and most of them don’t mention the terms base or base word. They only use the term root in their basic word studies. I suspect that this is because modern linguistics has created a new meaning for the term base.
In case you are not aware, modern linguistics and modern grammar fix many of the broken models from centuries past—i.e., models and definitions that quickly fall apart when you question them. These days, most books on linguistics and morphology present a somewhat standardized model. In English Word-Formation (1983), Laurie Bauer explains this model succinctly and definitively. Let’s take a look.
English Word-Formation (1983) by Laurie Bauer
As you can see below, Bauer acknowledges the root/stem/base problem and then explains a model that removes the ambiguity.
The Problem: “‘Root’, ‘stem’ and ‘base’ are all terms used in the literature to designate that part of a word that remains when all affixes have been removed. Of more recent years, however, there has been some attempt to distinguish consistently between these three terms.”
Root: “A root is a form which is not further analysable, either in terms of derivational or inflectional morphology. It is that part of word-form that remains when all inflectional and derivational affixes have been removed… In the form ‘untouchables’ the root is ‘touch’.”
Stem: “A stem is of concern only when dealing with inflectional morphology. In the form ‘untouchables’ the stem is ‘untouchable’.” [In short, when you remove the inflectional suffixes, you have the stem.]
Base: “A base is any form to which affixes of any kind can be added. This means that any root or any stem can be termed a base… ‘touchable’ can act as a base for prefixation to give ‘untouchable’.”
This model holds up across the curriculum. This model is the foundation of what I teach my students.
My Perfect Model: Roots, Stems, and Bases
I always like to have a complete model in mind that holds up across the curriculum. This lets me find teaching moments and ensures that I can answer my students’ questions clearly and consistently. Although I may not teach my students the entire model, at least the concepts are straight in my mind.
For this reason, I created this “Perfect Model of Roots, Stems, and Bases.” To be clear, this model is an interpretation and fuller explanation of what you might find in a linguistics book. Let me explain it to you. It all begins with morphemes.
Keep in mind that teachers don’t need to teach their students this entire model. In fact, most teachers will want to keep their morphology lessons simple and focus on roots, prefixes, and suffixes. But all teachers will want to understand this entire model.
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Morphemes
The term morpheme unifies the concepts of roots, prefixes, and suffixes, and therefore, it is an extremely valuable word. In short, words are composed of parts called morphemes, and each morpheme contributes meaning to the word. Morphemes are the smallest unit of language that contains meaning. Roots, prefixes, and suffixes all have one thing in common—they are all single morphemes. In contrast, stems and bases can be composed of one or many morphemes.
Root / Root Morpheme
When I use the term root, I always mean the root morpheme. The root is always the main morpheme that carries the main meaning of a word. Since a morpheme is the smallest unit of language that contains meaning, we can’t divide or analyze the root morpheme any further. Although a root can be a stand-alone word, to avoid confusion, I never use the term “root word.” I use the term root, and I use the term root morpheme to reinforce what a root is.
We have two types of root morphemes:
1. Dependent (bound) Roots: These roots cannot stand alone as words. These roots are usually Greek and Latin roots. Here are a few examples:
-
- liberty root: liber (free)
- interrupt root: rupt (break)
- similar root: sim (like)
2. Independent (free) Roots: These roots are stand-alone words. Practically speaking, these roots are almost always single-syllable words. You know the ones. It seems to me that most multi-syllable words can be further divided and further analyzed. With a little research, one finds that an ancient prefix or suffix has merged with a root. In short, most multi-syllable words are not root morphemes.
Here is what they thought 150 years ago. Although modern linguistics does not agree with these statements, it’s still food for thought. My point is that most of the independent roots that we deal with inside of the classroom are single-syllable words.
Q “All languages are formed from roots of one syllable.” – New Englander Magazine (1862)
Q “All words of all languages can be reduced to one-syllable roots.” – New Jerusalem Magazine (1853)
Here are a few examples:
-
- replaced root: place
- mindfulness root: mind
- carefully root: care
The Terms: Dependent Root and Independent Root
Modern linguistics use the term bound (for dependent) and free (for independent) to classify morphemes. Since teachers spend so much time teaching students about dependent clauses and independent clauses, I transfer this knowledge and terminology over to morphemes. Put simply: independent morphemes CAN stand alone; dependent morphemes CAN’T stand alone.
Q PREFIXES and SUFFIXES are almost always dependent morphemes—i.e., they can’t stand alone as words.
Q ROOTS are either dependent or independent morphemes.
Now, we will examine words that contain one root and words that contain two roots. As you examine these words, pay special attention to the dependent root and independent root aspect.
One Root: Many words have just one root. That one root may be a Dependent Root or an Independent Root. Remember, the root carries the main meaning of the word.
Q Word: justify Dependent Root: jus
Q Word: kindness Independent Root: kind
Two Roots: Some words have two roots. The roots may be Dependent Roots or Independent Roots. With two roots, each root contributes near equal meaning to the word.
Two Dependent Roots
Q Word: geography Dependent Root: geo (earth) Root: graph (write)
Q Word: carnivore Dependent Root: carn (flesh) Dependent Root: vor (swallow)
Q Word: cardiovascular Dependent Root: cardi (heart) Dependent Root: vas (vessel)
Two Independent Roots
Q Word: bathroom Independent Root: bath Independent Root: room
Q Word: downfall Independent Root: down Independent Root: fall
Q Word: popcorn Independent Root: pop Independent Root: corn
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Stem
I use the term stem just as Bauer does. To find the stem, simply remove the inflectional suffixes. It’s that simple.
When to Use the Term Stem: The term stem is quite unnecessary in many classrooms, as all stems are bases. For this reason, teachers can always use the term base instead of stem. However, the concept of stems is helpful in teaching students about inflectional suffixes. Inflectional suffixes are different from derivational affixes (derivational prefixes and derivational suffixes).
Q Word: reddest Stem: red
Q Word: girls’ Stem: girl
Q Word: boats Stem: boat
Q Word: preapproved Stem: preapprove
Q Word: justifying Stem: justify
Q Word: responded Stem: respond
Q Word: unjustifiable Stem: no stem
Q Word: kindness Stem: no stem
Base / Base Word
Bauer says, “A base is any form to which affixes of any kind can be added. This means that any root or any stem can be termed a base.”
In the table below, I use two labels to show how base and root relate to each other. Sometimes a base is a root (marked Q Base/Root), and sometimes it is not a root (marked Q Base).
To be clear, we can add a prefix or suffix to every base even if it already has a prefix or suffix. Furthermore, if we can add a prefix or suffix to something, we can call it a base.
Word: reread Q Base/Root: read
Word: unhelpful Q Base: helpful Q Base/Root: help
Word: justifying Q Base: justify Q Base/Root: jus
Word: unreliable Q Base: reliable Q Base/Root: rely
Word: preponderance Q Base: ponderance (uncommon) Q Base/Root: ponder
Word: responded Q Base: respond Q Base/Root: spond
Word: preapproved Q Base: preapprove Q Base: approve Q Base: approved Q Base: proved Q Base/Root: prove
Base vs. Base Word: To keep things simple, teachers should probably strike the term “base word” from their vocabulary. However, if the base is a complete word that can stand alone, teachers may choose to (or through force of habit) refer to it as a base word. If the base can’t stand alone, be sure not to call it a base word.
When to Use the Term Base: The term base is somewhat of a generic term for when we are not interested in or concerned with the root morpheme. As an example, we may choose to use the term base when we are ADDING prefixes and suffixes. When we are adding prefixes and suffixes, we often are unconcerned with finding or discussing the root morpheme. (Remember, we often add prefixes and suffixes to words that already contain prefixes and suffixes.) We may also choose to use the term base when removing a single, specific prefix or suffix, as the word may still contain other prefixes or suffixes.
Putting It All Together
Here is a table to help get you started in your word analysis studies related to root, stem, and base.
Example Word | Stem | Root: Dependent | Root: Independent | Base |
1. undeniable | deny ** | deny; deniable | ||
2. reinvented | reinvent | ven/vent | ven/vent; invent; reinvent | |
3. deforestation | forest *** | forest; forestation | ||
4. interacted | interact | act * | act; interact | |
5. demographics | demographic | demo | graph * | demo; graph; demographic |
6. responding | respond | spond | spond; respond | |
7. preserving | preserve | serv | serv; preserve | |
8. hopefully | hope | hope; hopeful |
The Asterisks: The asterisks may be the most important part of this table. They help illustrate that every word has a unique history that often makes analysis and classification complicated and debatable.
* act and graph are also Latin roots
** deny is from Latin denegare = de (away) + negare (to refuse; to say no); since deny technically
has a Latin prefix (de-), you may choose to classify the word differently.
*** forest is from Latin foris meaning outdoors, and unlike the word deny, cannot be analyzed as
having a prefix or suffix attached.
SKIP TO CONTENT
-
root word the form of a word after all affixes are removed
-
northwards in a northern direction
-
southwards toward the south
-
outwards toward the outside
-
leotards skintight knit hose covering the body from the waist to the feet worn by acrobats and dancers and as stockings by women and girls
-
frontwards at or to or toward the front
-
rearwards at or to or toward the back or rear
-
root rot disease characterized by root decay; caused by various fungi
-
two-thirds two of three equal parts of a divisible whole
-
sidewards toward one side
-
retrorse bent or curved backward or downward
-
Rotterdam the 2nd largest city in the Netherlands
-
Edwards American theologian whose sermons and writings stimulated a period of renewed interest in religion in America (1703-1758)
-
Richards English literary critic who collaborated with C. K. Ogden and contributed to the development of Basic English (1893-1979)
-
stewardess a woman steward on an airplane
-
idle words empty rhetoric or insincere or exaggerated talk
-
good word something that recommends (or expresses commendation of) a person or thing as worthy or desirable
-
toothwort North American herb with pungent scaly or toothed roots
-
westwards toward the west
-
eastwards toward the east
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
Root words
- One Look: look up examples where prefixes, suffixes, and roots are used. Use an asterisk (*) for a wild card. Thus *ion searches for all words with the ion suffix, while micro* searches for all words with themicro prefix
- Word Info — Meanings of roots
- Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language
- American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
- WordSmyth: Educational English Dictionary and Thesaurus
- Dictionary.com: Simple, efficient dictionary.
- YourDictionary.com: A web of on-line dictionaries in various languages
- One Look:
Etymology & Cognates
- History of the English Language
- Etymology online: Understand the history of words
- Cognates: Understand the historical relationship between English and other languages.
- Behind the Name: Learn the etymology of names
- Foreign Roots of English Language: Story showing common words from 32 languages.
Multilingual dictionaries
- Multilingual dictionary: See a word in many languages
- Logos: See the same word translated in many languages
- On-line Dictionaries in a variety of languages.
Understanding Words
- Acronymfinder: Determine the meaning of acronyms
- Roget’s Thesaurus: Related words and concepts.
- Translation: Translate words and phrases into different languages
- History of English Language: Understand the relationship of English to other languages
In English grammar, a root is a word or portion of a word from which other words grow, usually through the addition of prefixes and suffixes. By learning root words, you can decipher unfamiliar words, expand your vocabulary, and become a better English speaker.
The Roots of Words
Most words in the English language are based on words from ancient Greek and Latin. The root of the word «vocabulary,» for example, is voc, a Latin root meaning «word» or «name.» This root also appears in such words as «advocacy,» «convocation,» «evocative,» «vocal,» and «vowel.» By dissecting words such as these, etymologists can study how a word has evolved over time and tell us about the cultures they came from.
In some cases, root words might be slightly transformed en route to becoming part of words that we’re familiar with. In the above example, «vowel» is a word that’s clearly related to the voc root and its family of derivative words, and yet the «c» in «voc» is not present. There are several reasons for this sort of pattern, and the changes often depend on what language each individual word comes from, but it serves as a reminder that not every word with the same root will look exactly the same.
Root words are also useful for creating new words, especially in technology and medicine, where new innovations occur frequently. Think of the Greek root word tele, which means «far,» and inventions that traverse long distances, such as the telegraph, telephone, and television. The word «technology» itself is a combination of two other Greek root words, techne, meaning «skill» or «art,» and logos, or «study.»
Because several modern languages share some of the same ancestor languages, it’s not entirely uncommon for several related languages to share root words. For instance, the Latin root voc, described above, is shared by several Romance languages. Connections between languages can be found in the shared roots between them, although one always has to be wary of false cognates — that is, words that sound like they have the same roots (and thus related meanings) but actually don’t.
Greek Root Words
The table below defines and illustrates 25 of the most common Greek roots.
Root | Meaning | Examples |
anti | against | antibacterial, antidote, antithesis |
ast(er) | star | asteroid, astronomy, astronaut |
auto | self | automatic, automate, autobiograph |
biblio | book | bibliography, bibliophile |
bio | life | biography, biology, biodegradable |
chrome | color | monochromatic, phytochrome |
chrono | time | chronic, synchronize, chronicle |
dyna | power | dynasty, dynamic, dynamite |
geo | earth | geography, geology, geometry |
gno | to know | agnostic, acknowledge |
graph | write | autograph, graphic, demographic |
hydr | water | dehydrate, hydrant, hydropower |
kinesis | movement | kinetic, photokinesis |
log | thought | logic, apologize, analogy |
logos | word, study | astrology, biology, theologian |
narc | sleep | narcotic, narcolepsy |
path | feel | empathy, pathetic, apathy |
phil | love | philosophy, bibliophile, philanthropy |
phon | sound | microphone, phonograph, telephone |
photo | light | photograph, photocopy, photon |
schem | plan | scheme, schematic |
syn | together, with | synthetic, photosynthesis |
tele | far | telescope, telepathy, television |
tropos | turning | heliotrope, tropical |
Latin Root Words
The table below defines and illustrates 25 of the most common Latin roots.
Root | Meaning | Examples |
ab | to move away | abstract, abstain, aversion |
acer, acri | bitter | acrid, acrimony, exacerbate |
aqu | water | aquarium, aquatic, aqualung |
audi | hear | audible, audience, auditorium |
bene | good | benefit, benign, benefactor |
brev | short | abbreviate, brief |
circ | round | circus, circulate |
dict | say | dictate, edict, dictionary |
doc | teach | document, docile, doctrinal |
duc | lead, make | deduce, produce, educate |
fund | bottom | founder, foundation, funding |
gen | to birth | gene, generate, generous |
hab | to have | ability, exhibit, inhabit |
jur | law | jury, justice, justify |
lev | to lift | levitate, elevate, leverage |
luc, lum | light | lucid, illuminate, translucent |
manu | hand | manual, manicure, manipulate |
mis, mit | send | missile, transmit, permit |
omni | all | omnivorous, omnipotent, omniscent |
pac | peace | pacify, pacific, pacifist |
port | carry | export, import, important |
quit | silent, restive | tranquil, requiem, acquit |
scrib, script | to write | script, proscribe, describe |
sens | to feel | sensitive, sentient, resent |
terr | earth | terrain, territory, extraterrestrial |
tim | to fear | timid, timorous |
vac | empty | vacuum, vacate, evacuate |
vid, vis | to see | video, vivid, invisible |
Understanding the meanings of the common word roots can help us deduce the meanings of new words that we encounter. But be careful: root words can have more than one meaning as well as various shades of meaning. In addition, words that look similar may derive from different roots.
In addition, a handful of root words can stand on their own as whole words in and of themselves. This list includes words such as photo, kinesis, chrome, port, and script. Words like this tend to have related meanings on their own, then can also act as roots for longer, more complex words.
Sources
- Bryant, Alice, and Robbins, Jill. «Grow Your Vocabulary by Learning Root Words.» VOANews.com, 28 November 2017.
- Grammarly staff. «Why You Should Learn Roots.» Grammarly.com, 6 February 2016.
- McCammon, Ellen. «50 GRE Words You Should Know.» PrepScholar.com, 8 February 2017.
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.
Base words are words that exist as recognizable words in the English language. These words cannot be divided into smaller units. Prefixes and suffixes can be added to these words to create new words. There are two theories about root words. Some people use the term root word as a synonym for the base word. However, in some contexts, root words refer to the part of the base word that comes from another language. This article will mainly focus on this second meaning. The key difference between base word and root word is that base words are recognizable words in the English language whereas root words are from another language.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Base Word
3. What is a Root Word
5. Side by Side Comparison – Base Word vs Root Word in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is a Base Word?
There are two types of words in the English language: the words that can be broken down into smaller units and words that cannot be broken down into smaller units. Words that cannot be broken down into smaller units are known as base words. In other words, base word is the base form of a word and gives its basic meaning. For example, let’s look at the two words happy and unhappy. The word happy cannot be broken down into smaller units, but unhappy can be broken down into two units since this word is made by adding the prefix un to the base word happy. Prefixes and suffixes are always added to base words.
Prefixes and Suffixes
- Prefix is a word element is found in front of a base word.
- Suffix is a word element is found after a base word.
Look at the following words and see if you can identify the base word by removing the suffixes and prefixes.
Reusable, disappear, unhappiness, unacceptable, disqualified, childish, unlikely, reinvention
The base words of the above list are underlined in the following section.
- Reusable – re + use + able
- Disappear – dis + appear
- Unhappiness – un + happy + ness
- Unacceptable – un + accept + ble
- Disqualified – dis + qualify + ed
- Childish – child + ish
- Unlikely – un + like + ly
- Reinvention – re + invent + ion
What is a Root Word?
In linguistics, the term root word is often used synonymously with base word, and refers to a morpheme from which words have been created by the addition of prefixes or suffixes. For example, the word transportation is formed from the root word transport.
However, the term root word also refers to the origin of the word. In this sense, root word is the part of the base word that comes from another language. For example, the word maternal comes from Latin mater and gives the meaning mother. So, this Latin word, mater can be considered as the root word of maternal. The root words of words like maternity, maternally, maternalism, etc. is also the Latin word mater.
Examples of Base Words and Root Words
Let’s look at some other examples to understand the meaning of base words and root words more clearly.
- Tricycle
Base word = cycle, Root word = Latin cyclus (circle)
- Transportation
Base word = transport, Root word = Latin port (to carry)
- Immoderately
Base word = moderate, Root word = Latin moderatus (reduced, controlled)
What is the Difference Between Base Word and Root Word?
Base Word vs Root Word |
|
Base Word is a morpheme from which words have been created by the addition of prefixes or suffixes. | Root word is the part of the base word that comes from another language. |
Individual Meaning | |
Base word can stand alone. | Root word cannot often stand alone. |
Nature | |
Base words cannot be further divided. | Root word comes from another language. |
Summary – Base Word vs Root Word
Base word is a form of a word to which affixes can be added to create new words. Base words and root words are two terms that are sometimes used as synonyms. However, root words are also defined as parts of the base word that come from another language. This is the difference between base word and root word.
Download PDF Version of Base Word vs Root Word
You can download PDF version of this article and use it for offline purposes as per citation note. Please download PDF version here Difference Between Base Word and Root Word
References:
1. Merrell, Shelly. “Base Words: Definition & Examples.” Study.com, Available here.
2. Nordquist, Richard. “Base Forms of Words in English.” ThoughtCo, Available here.