Greek Roots
English I Pre-AP
AnthropHuman
Sample Words: Anthropology (the study
of humans) Misanthrope (one who
hates people (humans) Philanthropy (active effort
to promote human welfare)
Aster, AstroStar
Sample Words: Astronomy (study of
stars) Astronomical (relating to
stars) Asterisk (a star-shaped
punctuation mark)
BiblioBook
Sample Words: Bibliography (a list of
books and sources consulted)
Bibliophile (one who loves books)
Biblical (of or relating to the holy book of the Judeo-Christian tradition
BioLife
Sample Words: Biology (the study of life) Biochemistry (chemistry
of living things) Biodegradable (capable
of being broken down into harmless products by living things)
ChromColor
Sample Words: Chromatic (pertaining to
color or colors) Chrome (a colored
pigment or dye that contains chromium)
ChronTime
Sample Words: Synchronize (to cause to
happen at the same time) Chronic (happens time
and time again) Chronicle (an account of
events in order in time)
CosmoWorld, Order, Universe
Sample Words: Cosmology (study of the
origin and structure of the universe)
Cosmonaut (a Russian astronaut)
Cosmos (the orderly, systematic universe)
Cosmopolitan (having a worldwide scope/outlook)
Crac, CratRule, Govern
Sample Words: Democracy (rule by the
people) Aristocracy (rule by a
small, privileged class) Aristocrat (a member of
the aristocracy)
DemPeople
Sample Words: Democracy (rule by the
people) Demagogue (one who
arouses discontent among people for personal political gain)
Epidemic (affecting many people at one time)
Pandemic (affecting all people)
DermSkin
Sample Words: Dermatitis (inflammation
of the skin) Dermatology (branch of
science dealing with the skin)
Dermis (the inner layer of the skin)
EthnoNation
Sample Words: Ethnic (of or relating to a race
or large group of people) Ethnocentrism (exclusionary
favoring of one’s own nation/ethnic group)
Ethnology (the study of the origin, distribution, and relations of human races)
EuGood, Well
Sample Words: Euphoria (a strong feeling
of well-being) Euphony (a pleasing,
good, sweet sound) Euphemism (the
substitution of a “good” term for an offensive or unpleasant one)
GeoEarth
Sample Words: Geology (the study of the
Earth, its history, and its features)
Geography (study of the physical and cultural features of the Earth)
Geocentric (relating to or measured from the Earth’s center
Gno, KnoTo Know
Sample Words: Knowledge (that which is
known) Agnostic (one who
believes that whether or not there is a higher power cannot be known)
HydroWater
Sample Words: Hydrotherapy (the use of
water in the treatment of disease)
Hydroplane (to skim/skid over water on a surface)
Hydrogen (one of the component elements of water)
HypnoSleep
Sample Words: Hypnosis (an induced
state which resembles sleep)
Hypnotize (to induce hypnosis)
LithStone
Sample Words: Lithosphere (the outer,
“stone” part of the solid Earth)
Monolith (a single great stone)
Megalith (one of the huge stones used in various prehistoric monuments)
Logue, LogoIdea, Word, Speech, Reason
Sample Words: Dialogue (a conversation/
speech between two people)
Monologue (a speech by one individual onstage)
Logical (can be proved by reason)
Meter, MetrMeasure
Sample Words: Diameter (the length
[measure] of a straight line through the center of an object)
Metric (of or relating to a process of measurement)
MicroSmallSample Words:
Microscope (an instrument used to view very small particles and organisms)
Microorganism (an organism so small as to necessitate the use of a microscope)
Microsecond (one millionth of a second)
MimTo Copy, Imitate
Sample Words: Mimic (to imitate) Mime (one who imitates
life in a ridiculous manner)
Mimeograph (an older version of a copy machine)
MonoOne
Sample Words: Monologue (a speech
delivered by one person) Monogamy (remaining
faithful to one person) Monolingual (only able to
speak one language)
MorphForm
Sample Words:• Anthropomorphic (having
or resembling human form)
• Metamorphosis (a change in form)
• Morphology (study of the form and structure of animals and plants)
Neur, NervNerve
Sample Words: Neurology (the study of
nervous system) Nervous (of or relating to
nerves) Neurosis (a nervous
disorder marked by anxiety and the use of defense mechanisms)
PathFeeling
Sample Words: Apathy (lack of feeling/
caring) Sympathy (inclination to
think or feel alike) Empathy (the capacity for
experiencing as one’s own the feelings of another)
Philo, PhilLove
Sample Words:• Bibliophile (one who
loves books)• Francophile (one who
loves France and the French)
• Philharmonic (devoted to or appreciative of [loving] music)
PhonSound, Voice
Sample Words: Telephone (a device for
transmitting sound) Phonics (deals with word
and letter sounds) Symphony (a harmonious
arrangement of sound)
PolyMany
Sample Words:• Polychromatic (composed
of many colors)• Polyatomic (composed of
many atoms)• Polyester (a fabric made
of complex [many] ester)
ScopeTo See
Sample Words: Kaleidoscope (an
instrument allowing one to see a changing pattern or scene)
Telescope (an instrument for seeing things at a great distance)
Microscope (an instrument for seeing very small things)
Tom, TomyCutting, Operation of Incision
Sample Words:• Anatomy• Atom (the smallest particle to
which an element can be cut while still maintaining its elemental integrity)
• Appendectomy (an operation of incision in which the appendix is removed)