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Root Word Examples

Phonetics:

ruːt

wɜːd

Pronunciation:

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Comprehensive Guide to Root Word Examples and Uses

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Introduction

Root words, including micro words, are the foundation of the English language. A word’s meaning depends on its root word. Your English proficiency will suffer if you do not understand root words and their meanings.

Importance of Root Words:

Uncovering Meaning: If you are familiar with the core meaning of root words, you can easily explore new words in the English language. For example, “dicta” means ‘to say’ and is used in dictation and the dictionary.
Vocabulary Building: Recognising root words can lead to a tremendous vocabulary expansion. You can connect words through their root words and comprehend new words.
Improving Confidence: Your linguist prowess improves, making you more sure about using language. Self-doubt goes out the window as you figure out how words are built and language develops.

What Are Root Words?

In English, the root words are the cornerstone or base words from which others develop. The origin of these words can be traced back to the Latin and Greek languages. To make new words, prefixes and suffixes are added to the root words. Consequently, the meanings of these words can vary from those of their root words.

Root Word Examples: The root word ‘happy’ means a state of joy. When the prefix ‘un’ is added to ‘happy’, the word ‘unhappy’ is formed, which denotes not being happy or the opposite.

Similarly, ‘loco’ means place and ‘location’ means a particular place or position.

Root Words Role in Word Formation

Assists in Deciphering Meaning: Since root words are the foundation of a word, knowing their meaning empowers you to uncover the meaning of new or unfamiliar words.
Creates Word Families: These words allow you to create word families. Groups of words with a common root word become a part of a family. Such a strategy is an excellent tool for any English language learner.
Improves Spellings and Pronunciation: When you are well-versed in pronouncing the root word, you can get a reasonably good idea of the sounds of the words created with the root word.

Root Word Examples with Meaning

Progress in comprehending what are root words is incomplete without knowing what are some of the most common root words in English. Below are significant root word examples with meanings.

Aqua – Water

Examples: Aquatic, Aquarium, Aqueduct

Bio – Life

Examples: Biology, Biography, Biodegradable

Chrono – Time

Examples: Chronology, Chronic, Synchronise

Duct – To Lead

Examples: Conduct, Induct, Aqueduct

Graph – To Write

Examples: Autograph, Graphic, Telegraph

Jur – Law

Examples: Jury, Jurisdiction, Injure

Mort – Death

Examples: Mortal, Mortuary, Immortal

Pater/Patri – Father

Examples: Paternal, Patriarch, Patriot

Phon – Sound

Examples: Telephone, Symphony, Phonics

Port – To Carry

Examples: Transport, Export, Porter

Scribe/Script – To Write

Examples: Describe, Scripture, Inscription

Temp – Time

Examples: Temporary, Contemporary, Temporal

Voc/Vok – To Call

Examples: Vocal, Invocation, Advocate

Cred – To Believe

Examples: Credible, Credential, Creed

Dict – To Say

Examples: Dictate, Predict, Verdict

Firm – Strong

Examples: Confirm, Affirm, Firmament

Grav – Heavy

Examples: Gravity, Grave, Aggravate

Manu – Hand

Examples: Manual, Manufacture, Manuscript

Spect – To Look

Examples: Inspect, Spectator, Perspective

Vert – To Turn

Examples: Convert, Invert, Revert

Exploring Root Words in English Vocabulary

A root word is a standalone word derived from a source language. In the case of English, the source language can be Latin or Greek.
You might have heard these terms used together: ‘Root word’, ‘prefix’, ‘suffix’. They are placed together because a root word with a prefix or suffix becomes a new word. Prefixes are added to the beginning of the word, whereas suffixes are added to the end.
For example, the root word “tele”, which means “far,” can be combined with the suffix “-vision” (meaning “to see”) to form the word “television”, which means “seeing from far.”
The root word encourages you to investigate the meaning of a word. The word ‘investigate’ comes from the Latin word investigatus, which means to track.

Root Word Prefix and Suffix

Your root words are like Lego blocks that you can combine with other Lego blocks to create new words. Root words with prefixes and suffixes form new words.

Prefixes: Prefixes added to the beginning of a word can change its meaning or even create a word with an opposite meaning (antonym).

Examples:

un- (meaning “not”) – unhappy, unlock
re- (meaning “again”) – rebuild, rewrite
dis- (meaning “not” or “opposite”) – disagree, dishonest

Suffixes: Suffixes are added to the end of a word and can change the word’s tense or meaning.

Examples:

–ed: added to a verb, it can create its past tense- played, saved
-er: creates a noun denoting someone who does something – teacher, runner
-ful: adds the meaning “full of” – hopeful, helpful
-ment: creates a noun from a verb – development, enjoyment

Root Words List: Expanding Your Vocabulary

Edulyte’s English mentors have created a detailed root words list for you to explore and master new words.

Root Word	Meaning	Examples
Aqua	Water	Aquarium, Aquatic
Bio	Life	Biology, Biography
Chron	Time	Chronology, Synchronize
Dict	Say	Dictate, Contradict
Geo	Earth	Geography, Geology
Graph	Write	Autograph, Graphology
Hydro	Water	Hydrate, Hydroplane
Logy	Study of	Biology, Geology
Meter	Measure	Thermometer, Kilometer
Path	Feeling, Disease	Pathology, Empathy
Phil	Love	Philosophy, Bibliophile
Phobia	Fear	Claustrophobia, Acrophobia
Photo	Light	Photograph, Photosynthesis
Port	Carry	Transport, Portable
Psych	Mind	Psychology, Psychopath
Scope	Look	Telescope, Microscope
Tele	Far	Telephone, Telegraph
Therm	Heat	Thermometer, Thermal
Auto	Self	Autobiography, Autopilot
Aero	Air	Aerodynamics, Aeronautics
Arch	Chief, Primary	Monarch, Archaeology
Biblio	Book	Bibliography, Bibliophile
Cide	Kill	Pesticide, Homicide
Cracy	Rule	Democracy, Theocracy
Derm	Skin	Dermatology, Epidermis
Ethno	Race, Culture	Ethnography, Ethnocentric
Gastro	Stomach	Gastronomy, Gastroenterologist
Gen	Origin, Race	Generation, Genealogy
Helio	Sun	Heliotrope, Heliocentric
Hemo	Blood	Hemoglobin, Hemophilia
Herb	Grass	Herbivore, Herbal
Loco	Place	Location, Relocate
Mania	Madness	Kleptomania, Pyromania
Morph	Form	Metamorphosis, Morphology
Neo	New	Neolithic, Neonatal
Ortho	Straight	Orthodontist, Orthopedic
Pan	All	Panorama, Pantheism
Penta	Five	Pentagon, Pentagram
Poly	Many	Polygamy, Polygon
Proto	First	Prototype, Protozoan
Pseudo	FALSE	Pseudonym, Pseudoscience
Psycho	Soul	Psychiatry, Psychosomatic
Pter	Wing	Pterodactyl, Helicopter
Pyro	Fire	Pyrotechnics, Pyromania
Soph	Wisdom	Philosophy, Sophomore
Sphere	Ball	Atmosphere, Biosphere
Theo	God	Theology, Theocracy
Tox	Poison	Toxic, Antitoxin
Zo	Animal	Zoology, Protozoa
Centri	Center	Centrifuge, Egocentric
Chrom	Color	Chromatic, Monochrome
Cycl	Circle	Bicycle, Cyclical
Gam	Marriage	Monogamist, Polygamy
Gon	Angle	Pentagon, Octagon
Gyn	Woman	Gynecology, Misogynist
Lith	Stone	Monolith, Paleolithic
Matri	Mother	Matrimony, Matriarch
Mega	Large	Megabyte, Megaphone
Paleo	Old	Paleontology, Paleolithic
Path	Feeling	Pathetic, Empathy
Ped	Foot	Pedestrian, Pedal
Phono	Sound	Phonograph, Microphone
Pod	Foot	Podiatry, Tripod
Tact	Touch	Tactile, Contact
Typo	Print	Typewriter, Typography
Vid	See	Video, Evident

Greek Root Words and Their Influence

The Greek root words are strongly present in the English vocabulary pantheon, particularly in science, philosophy, and medicine. Discover which commonly used words have Greek antecedents.

Anthropo- (human)

Example: Anthropology (the study of humans)

Bio- (life)

Example: Biology (the study of living organisms)

Chrono- (time)

Example: Chronology (the arrangement of events in time)

Demo- (people)

Example: Democracy (government by the people)

Geo- (earth)

Example: Geography (the study of the earth’s physical features)

Graph- (to write)

Example: Graphic (about visual art or written representation)

Log- (word, study)

Example: Logic (the study of reasoning)

Meter- (measure)

Example: Thermometer (an instrument for measuring temperature)

Path- (feeling, disease)

Example: Pathology (the study of diseases)

Phil- (love)

Example: Philosophy (the love or pursuit of wisdom)

Phon- (sound)

Example: Telephone (a device for transmitting sound over long distances)

Psych- (mind)

Example: Psychology (the study of the mind and behaviour)

Scope- (to see, look)

Example: Telescope (an optical instrument for viewing distant objects)

Techno- (skill, art, craft)

Example: Technology (the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes)

Theo- (god)

Example: Theology (the study of the nature of God and religious belief)

Special Focus: Micro Words

You have probably encountered many micro words in the English language. Micro means ‘small’ or ‘tiny’ and comes from the Greek word mikros, meaning’ small’.

Significance of Micro Words in Studying Root Words

While these tiny or micro words may seem insignificant, combined with other words, they contribute to a richer vocabulary.

Building Blocks: If you comprehend the meaning of the micro words, you can easily combine them with other words to create new words.
Establishing Semantic Connections: You can identify the relationship between words if two words share a common root word.

Examples of Micro Words:

Bio- means ‘life’- biology, biosphere
Chron- means ‘time’ – chronology, chronicle

Root Word PDF Resources

You can learn the root words in several resources online and offline. Many resources offer root word PDFs for deeper learning.

Educational Websites: Many such platforms offer downloadable resources for students and teachers. A few of them include:

Books: They are always a go-to resource for enriching your vocabulary. Some books to refer to for root words are:

Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis,
Building Vocabulary Skills by Sherrie L. Nist and the
English Vocabulary in Use series by Michael McCarthy and Felicity O’Dell.
Roots and Affixes Vocabulary Development by Dr. Robert Marzano and
Vocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots by Elizabeth Osborne.

Practical Applications of Root Words in Daily Language

Understanding root words enhances your language ability. A practical skill, a root word vocabulary contributes to your daily language use.

Cracking the Meaning: Recognition of a root word allows you to unlock the meaning of a new word. The core meaning of the root word can make you familiar with an unfamiliar word. Example: ‘faith’ means trust. Adding the prefix ‘un’ and the suffix ‘ful’ makes a new word ‘unfaithful’, meaning disloyal.

Contextual Understanding: You can comprehend the meanings of words in a context if you are familiar with the root words’ meanings.
Robust Comprehension: Root words are the magic potion allowing you to read and comprehend English better. If you are familiar with the root words, you can quickly determine the meaning of a sentence, a message, or a story. Your spelling ability also reaches a higher level.
Productive Communication: A firm grasp of root words equals better communication ability in English, as you can choose words more precisely to convey your intended meaning.

Root Word 'Contra' and Its Variants

The root word “contra” comes from Latin and means “against” or “opposite.” As per Edulyte’s root word vocabulary, the root word ‘contra’ in English forms words that convey opposition, contrast, or disagreement.

Contradict – To assert the opposite of a statement; to deny or disagree with something.

Example: His actions contradicted his words.

Contrary – Opposite in nature, direction, or meaning.

Example: Her opinion is contrary to mine.

Contrast – The state of being strikingly different from something else.

Example: The contrast of black and white colours makes the outfit beautiful.

Contraption– A device with a complex or confusing design

Example: My uncle’s hobby is making contraptions from spare electronic bits.

Contradictory-containing statements that oppose each other

Example: The evidence in the case is contradictory to the accused testimony.

Medical Root Words: 'Epi', 'Hypo', 'Morph'

What do the words epidural, hypothermia, and morphology have in common? Other than having root words, they are all related to the medical field. Understanding these root words increases your medical knowledge and familiarises you with medical terminology. Let us uncover more words in the medical field containing the root word ‘epi’, the root word ‘hypo’, and the root word ‘morph’.

Root Word Epi (meaning: upon, over, on top of):

Medical Use: In medical terms, “epi” often signifies something located on the surface or outer part of the body.

Examples:

Epidermis: The outer layer of the skin.
Epigastric: Relating to the area of the abdomen located above the stomach.
Epidural: The space on or outside the dura mater (the outermost membrane covering the brain and spinal cord).

Root Word Hypo (meaning: below, under, deficient):

Medical Use: Medical terms with “hypo” often indicate something below normal, deficient.

Examples:

Hypothermia: A condition where the body temperature falls below normal.
Hypotension: Abnormally low blood pressure.
Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar.

Root Word Morph (meaning: shape, form):

Medical Use: In medicine, “morph” is used in terms related to shape, form, or development.

Examples:

Morphine: A powerful pain medication derived from opium.
Morphology: The study of the form and structure of an organism or organ.

Discover the 'Aqua' Root Word

‘Aqua’ is a Latin word that signifies something very relevant in our lives: water. In English, the root word aqua denotes many words related to water or liquids.

Aquatic: Living or growing in water (e.g., aquatic plants, aquatic animals)
Aquarium: A tank for keeping aquatic animals (e.g., a freshwater aquarium or a saltwater aquarium)
Aquafer – A body of permeable rock that can contain or transmit groundwater.
Aquamarine: A precious gemstone with a blue-green colour reminiscent of seawater

Conclusion

Learning root words takes you on the superhighway of language learning. Its long-term benefits are evident.

Language Appreciation: You get to trace the historical development of the language and appreciate its richness and complexity.
Word Bank Expansion: The vocabulary development receives impetus when you are familiar with the root words and their meanings. It becomes effortless to make connections between the words.
Improved Language Skills: Pronunciation, spelling, and language comprehension abilities are boosted by expertise in root words.

So, the next time you encounter a new word, look for its root word. By traversing these linguistic wonders, you will become a true expert in the English language.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are root words?

Root words are the base part of a word, to which prefixes and suffixes can be added to create new words. They often hold the core meaning of the word.

Can you give some examples of common root words?

Sure, some common root words include “spect,” which means to look; “form,” which means to shape. These roots help form words like inspect and reform.

How do root word prefixes and suffix additions change meanings?

Adding prefixes and suffixes to root words alters their meanings. For example, adding ‘dis-‘ to ‘like’ changes it to ‘dislike,’ which means not to like.

Where can I find a comprehensive root word list?

Right here! Edulyte offers a free downloadable PDF of the root word list. Also, a comprehensive list of root words can typically be found in educational textbooks on language or online educational resources dedicated to vocabulary development.

What are micro words in relation to root words?

Micro words are not a standard linguistic term, but in the context of root words, they might refer to concise root words that form a significant base for many derivatives, like “bio,” which means life.

How can I use root words to improve my vocabulary?

Understanding root words can significantly boost your vocabulary. Knowing the meaning of a root word can help you deduce the meanings of new words that share the same root.

Are there specific root words from Greek that are commonly used?

Yes, many English words are derived from Greek roots. For example, ‘graph’ means writing leads to words like an autograph or a paragraph.

Can you provide examples of root words used in medical terminology?

Indeed, in medical terminology, ‘hypo’ means under (as in hypoglycemia), and ‘epi’ means on or above (as in epidermis).

Where can I download a root word PDF for study?

Download our free PDF with root words to study. Many other educational websites offer downloadable PDFs for root word studies. University websites and educational platforms are good places to start.

What is an example of a root word with the root 'morph'?

The root ‘morph’ means shape or form. An example would be ‘morphology,’ which studies the form and structure of things, mainly spoken or written language.

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