Word Parts From Greek and Latin. . .Roots
“Knowing the root of a word --- especially a difficult word --- can help you understand and remember it much better. This can be very useful when learning new words in all your classes. Because vocabulary is so important to success in all areas, knowing the following roots will be very valuable.” --- Write Source 2000
Word PartMeaningExamples
acer, acid, acribitter, sour, sharpacerbic, acidity, acrid, acrimony
acusharpacupuncture
ag, agi, igdo, move, goagent, agenda, navigate, ambiguous, agitate
ali, alterotheralias, alternative, alibi, alien, alter
altushigh, deepaltimeter, altitude
am, amorlove, likingamorous, enamored, amiable
anni, annu, enniyearanniversary, annual, centennial
anthropmananthropology, misanthrope, philanthropic
archchief, first, rulearchangel, architect, archaic, archives, monarchy
aster, astrstarasterisk, asteroid, astrology, astronomy, astronaut
audhear, listenaudible, auditorium, audio, audition, audience
aug, aucincreaseauction, augur, augment
auto, autselfautomobile, autobiography, automatic, autograph
belliwarrebellion, belligerent
biblbookBible, bibliography, bibliomania, bibliophile
biolifebiography, biology, biopsy, microbe
breveshortabbreviate, brief, brevity
calorheatcalorie, calorify, caloric
cap, cepttakecapable, capacity, capture, accept, except, forceps
capit, captheaddecapitate, capital, captain, caption
carnfleshcarnivorous, incarnate, reincarnation, carnal
caus, cautburn, heatcauterize, cauldron, caustic
cause, cuse, cuscause, motivatebecause, excuse, accusation
ced, ceed, cedemove, yield, surrenderproceed, cede, secede, concede, intercede, precede
centricenterconcentric, centrifugal, eccentric, centripetal
chrontimechronological, chronometer, chronicle, synchronize
cidekillsuicide, homicide, pesticide, germicide, insecticide
cisecutdecide, precise, concise, incision, scissors
citto call, startincite, citation, cite
civcitizencivic, civil, civilian, civilization
clam, claimcry outexclamation, clamor, proclamation, acclaim
clud, clus, clausshutinclude, recluse, claustrophobia, conclude
cognosc, gnosiknowprognosis, diagnosis, recognize, incognito
cord, cor, cardheartcordial, accord, concord, record, encourage, cardiac
corpbodycorpse, corporation, corpulent
cosmuniverse, worldcosmos, cosmology, microcosm, cosmonaut
cratrule, strengthautocracy, democracy
credbelievecreed, credit, credentials, incredible, credulous
cresc, cret, crease, crurise, growcrescendo, crescent, concrete, increase, accrue
cur, cursruncurrent, concurrent, concur, curriculum, incur, occur
curacaremanicure, curator, pedicure
cycl, cyclowheel, circlecyclone, unicycle, bicycle, Cyclops
decatendecade, decalogue, decathlon
dempeopledemography, democracy, epidemic
dent, donttoothdental, orthodontist, denture, dentifrice
dermskinhypodermic, dermatology, epidermis, taxidermy
dic, dictsay, speakdiction, dictionary, dictate, edict, predict, verdict,
benediction, dictaphone, contradict, dictatorial
docteachindoctrinate, documentation, doctrine
dominmasterdomain, dominion, dominate, predominant
dongivedonate, condone
dormsleepdormant, dormitory
doxopinion, praiseorthodox, heterodox, paradox
duc, ductleadduke, induce, seduce, aquaduct, conduct, produce
durahard, lastingdurable, duration, endurance
dynampowerdynamo, dynamic, dynamite, hydrodynamics
end, endowithinendoral,endocardial, endoskeletal
equisameequinox, equilibrium, equal
ergworkenergy, erg, allergy, ergophobia, ergometer
fac, fact, ficdo, makefactory, manufacture, faculty, amplification
fall, falsdeceivefallacy, falsify, false
ferbear, carryferry, conferous, fertile, defer, infer, refer,
referee, referendum, circumference
fid, federfaith, trustfidelity, confident, confidante, infidelity, infidel, federal
fila, filithreadfilament, filter, filet
finend, finishfinal, finite, finish, confine, fine, refine, define, finale
fixattachfixation, fixture, affix, prefix, suffix
flex, flectbendflex, flexible, inflexibility, reflect, deflect
flu, fluc, fluvflowinginfluence, fluctuate, fluviograph, fluid, flush, fluently
formshape, structureform, uniform, conform, deform, reform, perform, formation, formative, formation, formal, formula
fort, forcstrongfort, fortress, fortify, forte, fortitude, force
fract, fragbreakfragile, fracture, infraction, fraction, refract, fragment
fumsmokefume, fumigate, perfume
gammarriagemonogamy, bigamy, polygamy
gastrostomachgastric, gastronomic, gastritis
genbirth, race, producegenesis, genus, genetics, genealogy, generate, congenital, indigenous, genetic
geoearthgeometry, geology, geography, geocentric
germvital, partgermination, germ, germane
gestcarry, beargestation, congest, suggestion, congestive
gloss, glottongueepiglottis, polyglot, glossary
glu, glolump, bond, glueglue, conglomerate, agglutinate
grad, gressstep, gograde, gradual, graduate, aggressive, congress
graphwrite, writtengraph, graphic, photography, biography, autograph, phonograph, bibliography
gratpleasingcongratulate, gratuitous, gratuity, grateful, gracious, ingrate
gravheavy, weightygrave, gravity, aggravate, gravitate
gregherd, group, crowdcongregation, gregarian, segregate
hab, habithave, livehabitat, inhabit, rehabilitate, habitual
heliosunheliograph, heliotrope
hema, hemobloodhemotoxic, hemorrhage, hemoglobin, hemophilia
here, hesstickadhere, cohere, cohesion
heterodifferentheterogeneous, heterograft
homosamehomogeneous, homonym, homogenize
hum, humanearth, ground, manhumility, humane, exhume
hydr, hydro, hydrawaterdehydrate, hydrant, hydraulic, hydrophobia, hydrogen
hypnsleephypnosis, hypnotherapy
ignisfireignite, igneous, ignition
jectthrowproject, object, deject, inject, eject
join, junctjoinjunction, enjoin, juncture, conjunction, adjoining, injunction
jud, judi, judicjudge, lawyerjudge, judicial, judicious, prejudice
jur, juslawjustice, conjure, jurisdiction, juror
juvenyoungjuvenile, rejuvenate
laterside, broadlateral, latitude
leglawlegislate, legislature, legislation, legal, legitimize
lic, licitpermitlicense, illicit, licit
lit, literlettersliterary, literature, alliteration, literal, obliterate
liver, liberfreeliberal, delivery, liberalize, deliverance
loc, locoplacelocomotion, locality, allocate, relocate
log, logo, ologystudy, word, speechzoology, psychology, logic, prologue, epilogue, dialogue
loqu, locuttalk, speakeloquent, loquacious, colloquial, circumlocution, soliloquy
luc, lumlightlumen, luminary, translucent
ludeplayludicrous, prelude, interlude
magngreatmagnificient, magnify, magnanimous, magnitude
manhandmaneuver manufacture, manual, manicure, manage, maneuver
mandcommandremand, mandatory, mandate, countermand
maniamadnessmania, kleptomania, pyromania, maniac
mar, mari, mersea, poolmaritime, mermaid, marine, marsh
matri, matermothermatrimony, maternity, maternal, matriarch
medihalf, middle, betweenmediate, medieval, mediocre
megagreatmegaphone, megalopolis, megacycle, megaton
memremembercommemorate, memo, memento, memoir, memorable
metermeasuremeter, voltmeter, barometer, thermometer
microsmallmicron, microscope, microwave, micrometer, microbe
migrawandermigrate, migrant, emigrant, immigrant
mit, misssendemit, remit, submit, omit, admit, commit, permit, transmit, missile, mission
mob, mot, movmovemobile, motionless, motor, emotional, motivate, promotion
monwarn, remindadmonish, monument, monitor, premonition
mori, mort, morsmortal, deathmortal, immortal, mortality, mortician, mortuary
morphformamorphous, metamorphosis, morphology
mult, multusmany, muchmultifold, multilinguist, multiply, multiplied
natbe born, spring forthnature, innate, natal, native, nativity
neurnerveneuropathic, neurologist, neural, neurosis, neurotic
nomlaw, orderautonomy, economy, astronomy
nomen, nominnamenominate, nomenclature
nounce, nunciwarn, declareannouncer, enunciate, pronounce, denounce
novnewnovel, renovate, novice, nova, innovate
nox, nocnightnocturnal, equinox, noctilucent
numernumbernumeration, numeral, enumerate, innumerable
omniall, everyomnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, omnivorous
onymnamepseudonym, anonymous, antonym, synonym
operworkoperate, cooperate
orthostraight, correctorthodontist, orthodox, orthopedic, unorthodox
pacpeacepacifier, pacify, pacifist, Pacific Ocean
panallpanacea, pandemonium, pantheon
pater, patrfatherpatriarch, patron, paternity, patriot
path, pathyfeeling, sufferingpathos, sympathy, empathy, antipathy, telepathy
ped, podfootpedal, impede, pedestal, pedestrian, centipede, tripod, podiatrist, podiatry, antipodes
pedochildorthopedic, pedagogue, pediatrics
pel, pulsdrive, urgecompel, dispel, expel, repel, propel, pulse, impulse, pulsate, compulsory, expulsion, repulsive, compulsive
pend, penshang, weighpendant, pendulum, depend, impend, suspend, perpendicular, pending, dispense, pensive
phillovephilosophy, philanthropy, philharmonic, bibliophile, Philadelphia
phobiafearclaustrophobia, acrophobia, hydrophobia
phonsoundphonograph, phonetic, symphony, telephone
photolightphotograph, photogenic, photosynthesis, photometer
plac, plaispleaseplacid, placebo, placate, complacent
plenusfullreplenish, plentiful, plenary, plenteous
pneuma, pneumonbreathpneumonia, pneumatic
policityIndianapolis, metropolis, police, politics
pon, posplace, putpostpone, component, opponent, proponent, expose, impose, deposit, posture, position
poppeoplepopulation, popular, populous
portcarryporter, portable, transport, export, import, support
portionpart, shareportion, proportion
potentpowerpotent, omnipotent, impotent
prehendseizeapprehend, comprehend, comprehensive
prim, primefirstprimacy, primitive, primary, primal
protofirstprototype, protocol, protagonist, protozoan
psychmind, soulpsyche, psychic, psychiatry, psychosis, psychotherapy
punctpoint, dotpunctual, punctuation, puncture, acupuncture
putthinkcomputer, dispute, repute
que, quiask, seekquestion, inquire, acquire, inquisitive
reg, rectistraightencorrect, direct, regular, rectify, regiment, rectangle
ri, ridilaughterridicule, deride, ridiculous
rog, rogaaskprerogative, interrogate, derogatory
ruptbreakrupture, interrupt, abrupt, disrupt, erupt, incorruptible
sacr, secrscaredsacred, consecrate, desecrate, sacrosanct
salv, salusafe, healthysalvation, salvage, salutary, salute
sanguibloodsanguine, sanguinity, sanguinaria
sat, satisenoughsatisfy, satient, saturate
sciknowscience, scientist, conscious, omniscient
scopesee, watchtelescope, microscope, kaleidoscope, periscope, stethoscope
scrib, scriptwritescrib subscribe, prescribe e, manuscript, scribble, inscribe, describe, subscribe, prescribe
sed, sess, sidsitpreside, president, reside, subside, sediment,
session, obsession, possess
senoldsenior, senator, senile
sent, sensfeelsentiment, consent, resent, dissent, sentimental,
sense, sensation, sensitive, sensory, dissension
sequ, secufollowsequence, sequel, consequence, subsequent, consecutive
servsave, serveservant, service, subservient, servitude, reservation, preserve, conserve, deserve, observe, conservation
sign, signisign, mark, sealsignal, signature, design, insignia
simil, simullike, resemblingsimulate, similar, assimilate, simile
sist, sta, stit, stetstandassist, circumstance, stamina, persist, substitute, status, state, static, stable, stationary
solusalonesolo, soliloquy, solitaire, solitude, solitary
solv, soluloosensolvent, solve, absolve, resolve, soluble, solution, resolution, resolute
somnussleepinsomnia, somnambulist
sophwisesophomore, philosophy, sophisticated
spec, spectlookspecimen, specific, spectator, spectacle, speculate, aspect, expect, inspect, respect, prospect, retrospective, introspective
sphereball, spheresphere, stratosphere, hemisphere, spheroid
spirbreathspirit, conspire, inspire, aspire, expire, perspire, respiration
spond, sponspledge, answersponsor, correspond, irresponsible, respond
strictdraw tightstrict, restrict, constrict, boa constrictor
stru, structbuildstructure, construct, instruct, obstruct, construe, destroy, destruction
sume, sumptake, use, wasteconsume, assume, presume, sump pump
tact, tang, tagtouchcontact, contagious, intact, intangible, tangible, tactile
telefar, acrosstelephone, telegraph, telegram, telescope, television, telephoto, telecast, telepathy
tempotimetempo, temporary, pro tem, extemporaneously, contemporary, temporal
ten, tin, tainholdcontain, tenacious, tenant, detention, content, obtain, pertinent, obstinate, abstain, pertain, detain, maintain
tend, tensstretch, straintension, tendency, extend, intend, contend, pretend, tent, tender
terraearthterritory, terrestrial, terrain, terrarium
testto bear witnesstestament, detest, attest, testimony
thermheatthermometer, thermal, thermostat, hypothermia
tomcutatom, appendectomy, tonsillectomy, dichotomy, anatomy
tort, torstwisttorture, retort, extort, distort, contort, tortous
toxpoisontoxic, intoxicate, antitoxin
tract, tradraw, pulltractor, attract, subtract, abstract, traction
tribpay, bestowtribute, contribute, attribute, retribution
tui, tutguard, teachtutor, tuition, intuition
turbodisturbturbulent, turmoil, disturb, turbid
typprinttype, prototype, typical, typography, typology, typewriter, typify
unioneunicorn, unify, university, unanimous, universal
vacemptyvacate, vacuum, evacuate, vacation, vacant
valstrength, worthvalor, validity, equivalent, evaluate, valiant, value
ven, ventcomeconvene, intervene, circumvent, convention, venture, venue, event, avenue, prevent
vert, versturnreverse, avert, divert, introvert, controversy
vict, vincconquervictor, victory, victorious, evict, convict, convince, invincible
vid, visseevideo, vision, evident, provide, visible, revise, supervise, vista, visit
vivlife, aliverevive, survive, vivid, vivisection, vivacious
voccallvocation, convocation, invocation, evoke, provoke, revoke, advocate, provocative, vocal, vocabulary
volwillmalevolent, benevolent, volunteer, volition
volcan, vulcanfirevolcano, volcanize
voreat greedilyvoracious, carnivorous, herbivorous, omnivorous, devour
zoanimalzoology, zodiac, protozoa, zoo