Root Words
Root words are the basic building blocks of many English words. They come from Latin, Greek, and other languages, forming the foundation of complex words. By understanding root words, learners can decode unfamiliar words, enhance vocabulary, and improve comprehension.
Why Are Root Words Important?
- Helpful in Exams – Many competitive exams (SAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, SSC, etc.) test vocabulary. Knowing root words helps in guessing the meaning of difficult words.
- Improves Reading & Writing – Recognizing root words enables a better understanding of texts and enhances writing skills.
- Useful for Language Learners – English learners, students, teachers, and professionals benefit from root words by expanding their vocabulary efficiently.
Root Words List:
Important Root Words List in Simple Language
Understanding root words helps in breaking down complex words into simpler meanings. Here is an extensive list of important root words, their meanings, and examples.
| Root Word | Meaning | Example Words & Meanings |
|---|---|---|
| A, An | Not, Without | Atypical (not typical), Anarchy (without government) |
| Ab | Away from | Absent (away), Abduct (carry away) |
| Ac, Acr | Sharp, Bitter | Acrid (bitter), Acumen (sharpness of mind) |
| Act | Do | Action (something done), React (respond to something) |
| Aero | Air | Aeroplane (air vehicle), Aerodynamic (designed to move through air) |
| Agri | Field | Agriculture (farming), Agrarian (related to land) |
| Alt | High | Altitude (height), Exalt (raise higher) |
| Ambi | Both | Ambidextrous (use both hands), Ambiguous (having two meanings) |
| Amo, Ami | Love | Amorous (full of love), Amiable (friendly) |
| Anim | Life, Spirit | Animate (bring to life), Animosity (strong hostility) |
| Ann, Enn | Year | Annual (yearly), Perennial (lasting through years) |
| Aqua | Water | Aquarium (water tank), Aquatic (living in water) |
| Arch | Chief, Ruler | Monarch (king), Archenemy (chief enemy) |
| Aud | Hear | Audible (can be heard), Audience (listeners) |
| Auto | Self | Autobiography (self-written life story), Automatic (self-operating) |
| Bene | Good, Well | Benefit (advantage), Benevolent (kind, good-hearted) |
| Bio | Life | Biology (study of life), Biodegradable (breaks down naturally) |
| Cap | Take, Seize | Capture (take by force), Capable (able to do) |
| Ced, Cess | Go, Yield | Recede (go back), Concession (yielding to another) |
| Chron | Time | Chronological (in time order), Synchronize (happen at the same time) |
| Circum | Around | Circumference (distance around a circle), Circumnavigate (travel around) |
| Cred | Believe | Credible (believable), Incredible (not believable) |
| Dict | Say, Speak | Dictate (say aloud), Predict (say before it happens) |
| Duc, Duct | Lead | Conduct (lead or guide), Induce (lead to a result) |
| Ego | Self | Egocentric (self-centered), Egotistical (full of oneself) |
| Fac, Fec | Make, Do | Manufacture (make by hand), Effect (a result of an action) |
| Fid | Trust | Confide (trust in someone), Fidelity (faithfulness) |
| Flu | Flow | Influence (flow into), Fluent (flowing in speech) |
| Fract | Break | Fracture (a break), Fraction (part of a whole) |
| Gen | Birth, Kind | Generation (group born around the same time), Genetics (related to birth traits) |
| Grad, Gress | Step | Graduate (move up a step), Progress (move forward) |
| Graph | Write | Biography (life story written), Autograph (self-written signature) |
| Hemo | Blood | Hemorrhage (excessive bleeding), Hemoglobin (blood protein) |
| Hydr | Water | Vacant (empty), Evacuate (empty) |
| Ject | Throw | Eject (throw out), Project (throw forward) |
| Log | Word, Study | Logic (study of reasoning), Apology (words expressing regret) |
| Mal | Bad | Malfunction (bad function), Malicious (intending harm) |
| Man | Hand | Hydration (adding water), Dehydrate (losing water) |
| Mater | Mother | Maternal (related to mother), Maternity (motherhood) |
| Med | Middle | Median (middle value), Intermediate (in between) |
| Min | Small | Minimal (least amount), Minority (small group) |
| Miss, Mit | Send | Transmit (send across), Dismiss (send away) |
| Morph | Form | Morphology (study of forms), Amorphous (without form) |
| Mort | Death | Mortal (can die), Immortal (never dying) |
| Multi | Many | Multitude (a large number), Multicolor (many colors) |
| Nat | Born | Native (born in a place), Innate (inborn) |
| Neo | New | Neonatal (newborn), Neophyte (beginner) |
| Nov | New | Innovation (new idea), Renovate (make new again) |
| Omni | All | Omnipresent (present everywhere), Omniscient (all-knowing) |
| Pac | Peace | Pacify (bring peace), Pacifist (peace-lover) |
| Path | Feeling | Sympathy (shared feeling), Empathy (understanding another’s feelings) |
| Ped | Foot, Child | Pedestrian (walker), Pediatrician (child doctor) |
| Phon | Sound | Telephone (sound from afar), Symphony (musical sounds together) |
| Photo | Light | Photography (capturing light), Photosynthesis (plants using light for food) |
| Port | Carry | Transport (carry across), Portable (can be carried) |
| Psych | Mind | Psychology (study of mind), Psychosis (mental disorder) |
| Rupt | Break | Erupt (break out), Disrupt (break apart) |
| Scrib, Script | Write | Inscribe (write in), Manuscript (handwritten document) |
| Sect | Cut | Dissect (cut apart), Section (cut part) |
| Sens, Sent | Feel | Sensation (feeling), Sentiment (emotional feeling) |
| Spect | See | Inspect (look into), Spectator (observer) |
| Struct | Build | Structure (building), Construct (build) |
| Tele | Far | Telephone (sound from far), Telescope (see far) |
| Terra | Earth | Terrain (land), Territory (land area) |
| Vac | Empty | Inscribe (write-in), Manuscript (handwritten document) |
| Vid, Vis | See | Video (moving pictures), Vision (sight) |
| Vit, Viv | Life | Vital (necessary for life), Revive (bring back to life) |
Common Prefixes List:
Prefixes are essential in understanding word formation and meaning. Here’s a list of common and important prefixes along with their meanings and examples:
Common and Important Prefixes
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| a-, an- | Not, without | Atheist (without belief), Anemia (without blood) |
| ab-, abs- | Away from, off | Abnormal (away from normal), Absent (away) |
| ad- | To, toward | Admit (send toward), Adhere (stick to) |
| ambi- | Both, around | Ambidextrous (using both hands), Ambiguous (having both meanings) |
| ante- | Before | Antecedent (comes before), Antedate (date before) |
| anti- | Against, opposite | Antisocial (against society), Antidote (against poison) |
| auto- | Self | Autobiography (self-written life story), Automatic (self-operating) |
| bene- | Good, well | Beneficial (causing good), Benevolent (showing kindness) |
| bi- | Two, twice | Bicycle (two wheels), Biannual (twice a year) |
| circum- | Around | Circumference (distance around a circle), Circumnavigate (sail around) |
| co-, com-, con- | Together, with | Cooperate (work together), Combine (bring together), Connect (link together) |
| contra-, counter- | Against, opposite | Contradict (speak against), Counterattack (attack back) |
| de- | Down, away, reverse | Descend (go down), Deforest (remove trees) |
| dis- | Not, opposite of, away | Disagree (not agree), Disconnect (break connection) |
| en-, em- | Cause to, put into | Enable (cause to be able), Embrace (hold closely) |
| ex- | Out, former | Exit (go out), Ex-boyfriend (former boyfriend) |
| extra- | Beyond, outside | Extraordinary (beyond ordinary), Extraterrestrial (outside Earth) |
| hetero- | Different | Heterogeneous (different kinds), Heterosexual (attracted to opposite sex) |
| homo- | Same | Homogeneous (same kind), Homonym (same spelling, different meaning) |
| hyper- | Over, above, excessive | Hyperactive (overactive), Hypertension (high blood pressure) |
| hypo- | Under, below, less | Hypothermia (low body temperature), Hypodermic (under the skin) |
| il-, im-, in-, ir- | Not | Illegal (not legal), Impossible (not possible), Incorrect (not correct), Irregular (not regular) |
| inter- | Between, among | International (between nations), Interact (act between) |
| intra- | Within, inside | Intravenous (inside a vein), Intramural (within walls) |
| mal- | Bad, wrong | Malfunction (bad function), Malnutrition (bad nutrition) |
| micro- | Small | Microscope (device to see small things), Microorganism (tiny organism) |
| mis- | Wrongly, badly | Misunderstand (understand wrongly), Mislead (lead wrongly) |
| mono- | One, single | Monologue (speech by one person), Monotone (one tone) |
| multi- | Many, much | Multicultural (many cultures), Multitask (do many tasks) |
| non- | Not | Nonsense (not making sense), Nonprofit (not for profit) |
| over- | Too much, above | Overeat (eat too much), Overload (too much load) |
| peri- | Around, near | Perimeter (distance around), Peripheral (near the edge) |
| post- | After | Postpone (delay after), Postgraduate (after graduation) |
| pre- | Before | Preview (view before), Predict (say before) |
| pro- | Forward, in favor of | Progress (move forward), Proactive (taking action before) |
| re- | Again, back | Rewrite (write again), Return (come back) |
| semi- | Half, partly | Semicircle (half a circle), Semi-conscious (partly conscious) |
| sub- | Under, below | Submarine (underwater vehicle), Subway (underground train) |
| super- | Above, beyond | Superhuman (beyond human), Supernatural (beyond natural) |
| trans- | Across, through | Transport (carry across), Transparent (allow light through) |
| tri- | Three | Triangle (three angles), Tricycle (three wheels) |
| un- | Microscope (device to see small things), Microorganism (a tiny organism) | Unhappy (not happy), Unfair (not fair) |
| under- | Below, less than | Underground (below ground), Underestimate (think less |
Common Suffixes List:
Here’s a list of important suffixes, their meanings, and examples:
Common and Important Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -able, -ible | Capable of, able to be | Comfortable (able to comfort), Visible (able to be seen) |
| -acy | State or quality | Democracy (state of governance by people), Accuracy (state of being exact) |
| -al, -ial | Related to, like | Natural (related to nature), Industrial (related to industry) |
| -ance, -ence | State, quality, action | Importance (state of being important), Excellence (state of being excellent) |
| -ant, -ent | One who, causing | Student (one who studies), Assistant (one who assists) |
| -ary | Related to, place for | Dictionary (place for words), Missionary (related to missions) |
| -ate | To make, cause to be | Activate (cause to be active), Educate (cause to learn) |
| -dom | State, condition, domain | Freedom (state of being free), Kingdom (domain of a king) |
| -eer | One who | Engineer (one who designs), Volunteer (one who helps freely) |
| -er, -or | One who, that which | Teacher (one who teaches), Actor (one who acts) |
| -esque | In the style of, like | Picturesque (like a picture), Grotesque (like something distorted) |
| -ful | Full of | Hopeful (full of hope), Joyful (full of joy) |
| -fy | To make, cause to be | Simplify (make simple), Beautify (make beautiful) |
| -hood | State, condition, group | Childhood (state of being a child), Brotherhood (state of being brothers) |
| -ic, -ical | Related to, like | Historic (related to history), Musical (related to music) |
| -ify | Make or become | Clarify (make clear), Magnify (make larger) |
| -ion, -tion, -sion | Act, process, result | Related to, a place for |
| -ish | Like, somewhat | Childish (like a child), Foolish (like a fool) |
| -ism | Belief, doctrine, practice | Capitalism (belief in free markets), Optimism (practice of positive thinking) |
| -ist | One who | Artist (one who creates art), Scientist (one who studies science) |
| -ity, -ty | State, condition, quality | Equality (state of being equal), Purity (state of being pure) |
| -ive | Having the nature of | Creative (having creativity), Active (having activity) |
| -less | Without | Fearless (without fear), Hopeless (without hope) |
| -like | Resembling, similar to | Childlike (similar to a child), Lifelike (similar to real life) |
| -logy | Study of | Biology (study of life), Psychology (study of the mind) |
| -ly | In a certain manner | Quickly (in a quick manner), Slowly (in a slow manner) |
| -ment | Action, result, state | Development (state of developing), Achievement (result of achieving) |
| -ness | State, quality | Kindness (quality of being kind), Darkness (state of being dark) |
| -ous, -eous, -ious | Full of, having | Dangerous (full of danger), Curious (full of curiosity) |
| -ship | State, condition, skill | Friendship (state of being friends), Leadership (state of leading) |
| -some | Characterized by | Troublesome (causing trouble), Awesome (causing awe) |
| -ward | Direction | Forward (toward the front), Upward (toward the top) |
| -y | Characterized by, like | Expansion (an act of expanding), Education (process of educating) |
