ROOT WORDSWhat 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-, aero-
Origin Greek
Meaning Air, atmosphere
Example Aeronautics
Root word agri-
Origin Greek and Latin
Meaning Field
Example Agriculture
Root word anima-
Origin Latin
Meaning Breathe
Example Animal
Root word ann-
Origin Latin
Meaning Year, yearly
Example Annual
Root word aqu-
Origin Latin
Meaning Water
Example Aquarium
Root word astro-
Origin 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 avi-
Origin Latin
Meaning Bird
Example Aviation
Root word bi-
Origin Latin
Meaning Two
Example Bicycle
Root word bi(o)-
Origin Greek
Meaning Life
Example Biology
Root word cap-
Origin Latin
Meaning Hold, take
Example Capture
Root word cent-
Origin Latin
Meaning Hundred
Example Century
Root word clar-
Origin Latin
Meaning Clear
Example Clarity
Root word con-
Origin Latin
Meaning with
Example connect
Root word cycl
Origin Greek
Meaning Round
Example Bicycle
Root word de-
Origin Latin
Meaning From, away from
Example Delete
Root word dem-
Origin Greek
Meaning People
Example Democracy
Root word dict-
Origin Latin
Meaning Say, speak
Example Dictation
Root word digit-
Origin Latin
Meaning Finger
Example Digital
Root word dorm-
Origin Latin
Meaning Sleep
Example Dormitory
Root word eco-
Origin Greek
Meaning House
Example Ecology
Root word form-
Origin Latin
Meaning Shape
Example Formation
Root word frig-
Origin Latin
Meaning Cold
Example Frigid
Root word ge(o)-
Origin Greek
Meaning Earth
Example Geology
Root word graph-
Origin Greek
Meaning Draw, write
Example Graphic
Root word hex-
Origin Greek
Meaning Six
Example Hexagon
Root word hydr(o)-
Origin Greek
Meaning Water
Example Hydroponic
Root word juven-
Origin Latin
Meaning Young
Example Juvenile
Root word kil(o)-
Origin Greek
Meaning Thousand
Example Kilogram
Root word leg-
Origin Latin
Meaning Law
Example Legal
Root word liber-
Origin Latin
Meaning Free
Example Liberation
Root word manu-
Origin Latin
Meaning Hand
Example Manual
Root word nov-
Origin Latin
Meaning Nine
Example November
Root word numer-
Origin Latin
Meaning Number
Example Numeral
Root word oct-
Origin Latin and Greek
Meaning Eight
Example Octangular
Root word pent-
Origin Greek
Meaning Five
Example Pentagon
Root word phob(ia)-
Origin Greek
Meaning Fear
Example Hydrophobia
Root word phos-, phot-
Origin Greek
Meaning Light
Example Photograph
Root word phys-
Origin Greek
Meaning Nature
Example Physics
Root word pre-
Origin 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 quadr-
Origin Latin
Meaning Four
Example Quadrangle
Root word quint-
Origin Latin
Meaning Fifth
Example Quintary
Root word re-
Origin Latin
Meaning Again, back
Example Recede
Root word sept-
Origin Latin
Meaning Seven
Example September
Root word serv-
Origin Latin
Meaning Save, protect, serve
Example Conservation
Root word terr-
Origin Latin
Meaning Dry land, earth
Example Terrain
Root word tri-
Origin 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
Hydrodynamics
Air
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.
RejuvenateWhat 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.