Root Words
A word that stands on its own and has a meaning but can also be modified with prefixes
and suffixes to make new words.
Root
Meaning
Examples
Word Origin
Bio
Life
Biology, biography,
Greek
biopsy
Graph
Write
Telegraph,
Greek
photograph,
phonograph,
autograph
Photo
Light
Photograph,
Greek
telephoto
Photocopy
Phon
Sound
Phonograph,
Greek
symphony, telephone
Microphone, phonics
Bene
Good, well, or gentle Beneficial, benefit
Latin
Dict
To say or tell
Diction, dictator
Latin
Therm
Heat
Thermometer,
Greek
thermostat, thermos
Scope
See
Microscope,
Greek
telescope, periscope,
stethoscope
Cent
Hundred
Century, centimeter, Latin
centennial
Struct
To build
Construct, instruct,
Latin
instructor
Fract
To break
Fraction
Latin
Ped
Foot
Pedicure,
Greek
Geo
Earth, soil, ground
Geography, geology Greek
Aster & Astr
Star
Astronomy, asteroid
Greek
Chron
Time
Chronological
Greek
Tact
To touch
Tactile
Latin
Meter
Measure
Speedometer,
Greek
metric, thermometer,
perimeter, diameter,
centimeter
Vac
Empty
Vacuum
Latin
Port
Carry
Portable
Latin
Aud
Hear
Audio, audible
Latin
Zoo
Animal
Zoology
Greek
Hydra
Water
Hydration
Greek
Leg
Law
Legislative, legal
Latin
Sect
Cut
Section
Latin
Root Song
Written by Mrs. Garrison
Sung to the tune of “Frere Jacques”
(Verse 1)
Roots are words that
stand alone
and can change
meaning will change
prefixes and suffixes
added to the root words
make new words
make new words
(Verse 3)
Cent means hundred
Struct means build
Fract: to break
Ped means foot
Geo is earth ground and soil
Aster and Astr is star
Chron means time
Tact: to touch
(Verse 2)
Bio means life
Graph means write
Photo means light
Phon means sound
Bene is good well or gentle
Dict means to say or tell
Therm means heat
Scope means see
(Verse 4)
Meter means measure
Vac means empty
Port means carry
Aud means hear
Zo-o means animal
Hydra means water
Leg means law
Sect means cut