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.