Word Roots
Have you ever wondered how understanding a single part of a word can help you guess the meanings of dozens of others? That’s the magic of word roots tiny building blocks with mighty power! Whether you’re a student, a writer, or a language enthusiast, learning word roots can dramatically boost your vocabulary and comprehension skills.
What Are Word Roots?
A word root is the base part of a word that contains its core meaning. Many English words are derived from Latin or Greek roots. By recognizing these roots, you can often decode unfamiliar words even if you’ve never seen them before!
For example:
- The root “dict” means to say or to speak (Latin).
- Dictate, predict, dictionary
- The root “bio” means life (Greek).
- Biology, biography, antibiotic
Common Word Roots and Their Meanings
| Root | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| aud | hear | audio, audience, audible |
| bene | good | benefit, benevolent, benefactor |
| chron | time | chronology, synchronize, chronic |
| cogn | know | recognize, cognitive, incognito |
| derm | skin | dermatology, epidermis, hypodermic |
| gen | birth, race | genetics, genealogy, generate |
| geo | earth | geography, geology, geothermal |
| ject | throw | eject, inject, reject |
| man | hand | manual, manicure, manipulate |
| morph | form | metamorphosis, amorphous, morphology |
| path | feeling, disease | sympathy, pathology, empathy |
| poly | many | polygon, polyglot, polynomial |
| port | carry | transport, import, portable |
| scrib/script | write | describe, manuscript, prescription |
| tele | far | telephone, television, teleport |
| ver | true | verify, verdict, veracity |
| vid/vis | see | video, visible, vision |
Root Words Quiz
Common Greek Roots
| Root | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| anthrop | man, human | anthropology, misanthrope, philanthropist |
| astro | star | astronomy, astronaut, astrology |
| bio | life | biology, biography, biosphere |
| chron | time | chronological, chronic, synchronize |
| dem | people | democracy, demography, epidemic |
| geo | earth | geography, geology, geothermal |
| graph | write, record | autograph, telegraph, calligraphy |
| hydr | water | dehydrate, hydrant, hydroelectric |
| logy | study of | biology, psychology, geology |
| meter | measure | thermometer, diameter, barometer |
| micro | small | microscope, microbe, microphone |
| phil | love | philosophy, bibliophile, philanthropy |
| phon | sound | telephone, symphony, microphone |
| photo | light | photograph, photosynthesis, photon |
| psych | mind | psychology, psychic, psychiatry |
| scope | see, observe | microscope, telescope, periscope |
| tele | far | telephone, television, teleport |
| therm | heat | thermometer, thermal, thermostat |
Common Latin Roots
| Root | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| aqua | water | aquarium, aquatic, aqueduct |
| aud | hear | audience, audible, auditorium |
| bene | good | benefit, benevolent, benign |
| cent | hundred | century, percent, centipede |
| dict | say, speak | dictionary, predict, contradict |
| duc/duct | lead | conduct, induce, aqueduct |
| fac/fact | make, do | factory, manufacture, beneficial |
| form | shape | transform, reform, conform |
| fort | strong | fortify, fortress, fortitude |
| ject | throw | eject, project, reject |
| jur/jus | law | jury, justice, jurisdiction |
| mal | bad | malicious, malfunction, malnourished |
| mit/miss | send | transmit, mission, admit |
| port | carry | transport, portable, import |
| rupt | break | interrupt, rupture, bankrupt |
| scrib/script | write | describe, manuscript, inscription |
| spect | look | inspect, spectator, retrospect |
| struct | build | construct, structure, destruction |
| tract | pull | attract, tractor, extract |
| vid/vis | see | video, visible, vision |
| voc | voice, call | vocal, advocate, vocation |
Mastering word roots is like getting a key to unlock thousands of words. You’ll not only strengthen your vocabulary but also deepen your understanding of language structure and history. Start by learning a few roots each week, and soon you’ll see the difference in your reading and speaking skills!
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