ROOT WORDS
What are root words?
Words originating from Latin (ancient
Rome) and Greek.
Why is it important to learn root words?
Almost every word in English has root
words, so this makes it easier to
understand a new word and remember
how to spell them.
Root word aer-, aeroOrigin
Greek
Meaning
Air, atmosphere
Example
Aeronautics
Root word agriOrigin
Greek and Latin
Meaning
Field
Example
Agriculture
Root word animaOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Breathe
Example
Animal
Root word annOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Year, yearly
Example
Annual
Root word aquOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Water
Example
Aquarium
Root word astroOrigin
Greek
Meaning
Star
Example
Astronomy
Root word aud
Origin
Latin
Meaning
Hearing, listening, sound
Example
Auditorium
Root word auto
Origin
Greek
Meaning
Self
Example
Automobile
Root word aviOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Bird
Example
Aviation
Root word biOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Two
Example
Bicycle
Root word bi(o)Origin
Greek
Meaning
Life
Example
Biology
Root word capOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Hold, take
Example
Capture
Root word centOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Hundred
Example
Century
Root word clarOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Clear
Example
Clarity
Root word conOrigin
Latin
Meaning
with
Example
connect
Root word cycl
Origin
Greek
Meaning
Round
Example
Bicycle
Root word deOrigin
Latin
Meaning
From, away from
Example
Delete
Root word demOrigin
Greek
Meaning
People
Example
Democracy
Root word dictOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Say, speak
Example
Dictation
Root word digitOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Finger
Example
Digital
Root word dormOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Sleep
Example
Dormitory
Root word ecoOrigin
Greek
Meaning
House
Example
Ecology
Root word formOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Shape
Example
Formation
Root word frigOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Cold
Example
Frigid
Root word ge(o)Origin
Greek
Meaning
Earth
Example
Geology
Root word graphOrigin
Greek
Meaning
Draw, write
Example
Graphic
Root word hexOrigin
Greek
Meaning
Six
Example
Hexagon
Root word hydr(o)Origin
Greek
Meaning
Water
Example
Hydroponic
Root word juvenOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Young
Example
Juvenile
Root word kil(o)Origin
Greek
Meaning
Thousand
Example
Kilogram
Root word legOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Law
Example
Legal
Root word liberOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Free
Example
Liberation
Root word manuOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Hand
Example
Manual
Root word novOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Nine
Example
November
Root word numerOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Number
Example
Numeral
Root word octOrigin
Latin and Greek
Meaning
Eight
Example
Octangular
Root word pentOrigin
Greek
Meaning
Five
Example
Pentagon
Root word phob(ia)Origin
Greek
Meaning
Fear
Example
Hydrophobia
Root word phos-, photOrigin
Greek
Meaning
Light
Example
Photograph
Root word physOrigin
Greek
Meaning
Nature
Example
Physics
Root word preOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Before
Example
Previous
Root word pseud(o)Origin
Greek
Meaning
False
Example
Pseudonym
Root word pyr(o)Origin
Greek
Meaning
Heat, fire
Example
Pyrolysis
Root word quadrOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Four
Example
Quadrangle
Root word quintOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Fifth
Example
Quintary
Root word reOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Again, back
Example
Recede
Root word septOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Seven
Example
September
Root word servOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Save, protect, serve
Example
Conservation
Root word terrOrigin
Latin
Meaning
Dry land, earth
Example
Terrain
Root word triOrigin
Latin and Greek
Meaning
Three
Example
Triangle
Using root words
guess what the
meaning of these
words.
“Dynamics” is used in physics to describe the process
of how things work.
Aerodynamics
Air
Hydrodynamics
Water
What does biofuel mean?
Fuel made from living organisms
such as corn, sugar and plants.
What does animation mean?
Cartoon
This rose is dormant.
What does this mean?
Sleeping; when organisms
development stop, such as
during winter.
Two babies born
together are twins,
but what are three
babies born
together?
Triplets
What are four babies
called?
Quadruplets
What are five
babies called?
Quintuplets
Two offspring – twins
Three offspring – triplets
Four offspring – quadruplets
Five offspring – quintuplets
Six offspring – sextuplets
Seven offspring – septuplets
Eight offspring – octuplets
Nine offspring – nonuplets
Ten offspring – decaplets
Eleven offspring – undecaplets
Twelve offspring – duodecaplets
Thirteen offspring – tredecaplets
Fourteen offspring – quattrodecaplets
Fifteen offspring – quindecaplets
Sixteen offspring – sexdecaplets
Seventeen offspring – sepdecaplets
Eighteen offspring – octdecaplets
Nineteen offspring – nondecaplets
A “maniac” is derived from Greek
meaning “crazy person”
What is a pyromaniac?
Anyone that
is
dangerously
crazy with
fire.
Rejuvenate
What does this word mean?
To make young again; restore to
youthful vigor
What is a dictator?
A person exercising absolute power, esp. a ruler
who has absolute, unrestricted control in a
government without hereditary succession.