Root Words in English: Prefixes, Suffixes and Examples 

Root words in English grammar are the basic parts of words that carry meaning. By adding prefixes (beginnings) or suffixes (endings), we can change a word’s meaning or use. For example, the root word happy becomes unhappy with the prefix un (not), or happiness with the suffix ness (a state of). These changes help form new words and make English easy and interesting to learn.

What are Root Words in English Grammar?

In English grammar, a root word is the main part of a word that gives it its basic meaning. It is like the foundation of the word, which cannot be broken into smaller parts and still keep the same meaning. 

For example, take the word kindness. The root word here is kind. When we add ‘ness’ at the end, it becomes ‘kindness’, which means the state of being kind.

Similarly, in the word ‘unhappy’, the root word is ‘happy’. The prefix ‘un-’ is added to change the meaning to not happy.

Explore: Prefix and Suffix: Definition, Rules and Examples

Prefixes, Suffixes and Root Words

A prefix in root words is a set of letters added to the beginning of a root word. It changes the meaning of the word but does not change the root spelling of the word.

For example, take the root word play. By adding the prefix ‘re’, we get replay, which means to play again. Similarly, adding the prefix ‘un’ to the root word lock gives us unlock, meaning to open something that was locked.

A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a root word. It often changes the meaning of the word, form, or function and can turn a verb into a noun, an adjective into an adverb, or show tense, number, or degree.

For example, take the root word help. By adding the suffix ‘ful’, we get helpful, which means full of help. If we add the suffix ‘less’, it becomes helpless, meaning without help. Here, the root word stays the same, but the meaning of the word changes based on the suffix.

Type of Word	Root Word	Added Part	New Word	Meaning
Prefix	Play	Re	Replay	To play again
Prefix	Lock	Un	Unlock	To open something that was locked
Suffix	Help	Ful	Helpful	Full of help
Suffix	Help	Less	Helpless	Without help

Check out: Prefix and Suffix Exercises with Answers

How to Identify Root Words in English Grammar?

As we know, a root word is the base form of a word that carries its core meaning before any prefixes or suffixes are added. By identifying the root word, you can often understand the full meaning of a longer or more complex word, even if you’ve never seen it before.

To learn more, let us explore some step-by-step methods to identify root words and see how each strategy builds on the previous one to strengthen your understanding of English vocabulary.

1. Start by Removing Prefixes and Suffixes

One of the easiest ways to find the root of a word is to remove any prefixes or suffixes that may have been added. A prefix appears at the beginning of a word and often changes its meaning. A suffix appears at the end and can change the word’s form or function.

For example:

i.  In the word unhappy, removing the prefix un- gives you happy, which is the root word.

ii. In unforgettable, removing un- and -able gives you the root word, which is forget.

2. Notice the Word Families 

After identifying a root word, try to think of other words that are related to it. These other related words are known as word families, and they often share the same root while having different prefixes or suffixes.

For example: From the root word act (which means to do), we can form the root words such as action, actor, react and active. 

3. Learn Common Greek and Latin Roots

Many English words, especially those used in subjects like science, literature, or history, come from the roots of Greek and Latin. These roots are the building blocks of thousands of words in the English language. By learning just a few of them, you can start to understand the meaning of several new and difficult words.

Examples:

Root Word	Language of Origin	Meaning	Examples
Bio	Greek	Life	Biology (study of life), Biography (a life story written by someone else)
Graph	Greek	To write	Autograph (a person’s signature), Graphic (something written or drawn)
Aud	Latin	To hear	Audible (able to be heard), Auditorium (a place where people listen)
Port	Latin	To carry	Transport (to carry across), Portable (easy to carry)
Spect	Latin	To look	Inspect (to look at something carefully), Spectacle (something that is seen)

4. Use Context Clues in Sentences

When one comes across a new or unfamiliar word, one of the easiest ways to guess its meaning is by using clues from its context. These contexts are the hints or information found in the surrounding words of a sentence. By carefully reading the sentence, you can often understand what the word means, even if you don’t know it already, and figure out its root.

For example:

The portable speaker was easy to carry.”

In this sentence, the phrase “easy to carry” gives you a clear hint that portable is related to carrying. From this clue, you can guess that the root word port likely means to carry.

5. Check the Dictionary for Etymology

While context clues can be very helpful, sometimes they may not give you enough information. In such cases, turning to a dictionary is the most reliable way to understand a word fully. Most good dictionaries include not just the meaning and origin of a word but also its etymology (history) of where the word came from (the root) and how it has changed over time.

For example:

If you look up the word transport in the dictionary, you will find that it comes from the Latin word portare, which means to carry. Further context clues also help in understanding other similar related words like import, export, and portable.

Also Read: Prefix and Suffix Examples to Unlock the Power of Word Formation

Common Root Words List in English

Recognising these root words makes it easier to break down unfamiliar words, guess their meanings, and expand your vocabulary effectively. This list features commonly used root words that appear in many everyday English words.

Root Word	Meaning	Examples
Ann/Enn	Year	Annual, Anniversary, Centennial
Aqua	Water	Aquarium, Aquatic, Aqueduct
Arch	Chief, Ruler	Monarch, Architect, Archbishop
Aud	Hear	Audio, Audible, Audience
Auto	Self	Automatic, Automobile, Autonomy
Bene	Good	Benefit, Benevolent, Benefactor
Bio	Life	Biology, Biography, Biodegradable
Cap/Cept	Take, Seize	Capture, Accept, Concept
Card	Heart	Cardiac, Cardiology, Cardiovascular
Cent	Hundred	Century, Percent, Centipede
Chron	Time	Chronology, Chronic, Synchronise
Cir	Around	Circle, Circuit, Circumstance
Civi	Citizen	Civil, Civilisation, Civilian
Corp	Body	Corporation, Corpse, Incorporate
Cred	Believe	Credit, Credible, Incredible
Cycl	Circle, Wheel	Cycle, Bicycle, Cyclone
Dem	People	Democracy, Demographic, Epidemic
Dent	Tooth	Dentist, Dental, Denture
Dic/Dict	Speak, Say	Dictionary, Predict, Dictate
Dur	Hard, Lasting	Durable, Endure, Duration
Fac/Fact	Make, Do	Factory, Manufacture, Artifact
Fer	Carry, Bear	Transfer, Ferry, Confer
Fin	End, Limit	Final, Finish, Infinite
Flex/Flect	Bend	Flexible, Reflect, Deflect
Form	Shape	Transform, Conform, Formation
Fort	Strong	Fortress, Fortify, Comfort
Fract/Frag	Break	Fracture, Fragment, Fragile
Gen	Birth, Race	Generate, Generation, Genetics
Geo	Earth	Geography, Geology, Geometry
Graph/Gram	Write, Record	Biography, Telegram, Photograph
Grav	Heavy	Gravity, Grave, Gravitate
Hab/Habit	Live, Dwell	Habitat, Inhabit, Habitual
Hyd	Water	Hydrate, Hydraulic, Dehydrate
Ject	Throw	Project, Reject, Inject
Jur/Jus	Law, Right	Jury, Justice, Jurisdiction
Leg	Law	Legal, Legislation, Legitimate
Liber	Free	Liberty, Liberal, Liberate
Lingu	Language	Linguistics, Bilingual, Linguist
Lit	Letter	Literature, Literal, Literacy
Loc	Place	Location, Local, Allocate
Log	Word, Study	Logic, Dialogue, Biology
Magn	Great, Large	Magnificent, Magnify, Magnitude
Mal	Bad, Evil	Malfunction, Malicious, Malpractice
Man	Hand	Manual, Manufacture, Manipulate
Mar	Sea	Marine, Maritime, Submarine
Medi	Middle	Median, Mediate, Mediterranean
Mem	Remember	Memory, Memorial, Commemorate
Meter/Metr	Measure	Thermometer, Geometry, Metric
Migr	Move	Migrate, Immigrant, Migration
Miss/Mit	Send	Mission, Transmit, Dismiss
Mob/Mot/Mov	Move	Mobile, Motion, Movement
Mort	Death	Mortal, Immortal, Mortuary
Mult	Many	Multiple, Multiply, Multitude
Nat	Born, Birth	Nature, Natural, Innate
Nav	Ship	Navy, Navigate, Naval
Nom/Nym	Name	Nominate, Synonym, Anonymous
Nov	New	Novel, Innovate, Renovation
Omni	All	Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnivore
Path	Feeling, Suffer	Sympathy, Pathology, Empathy
Ped	Foot	Pedestrian, Pedal, Biped
Phil	Love	Philosophy, Philanthropist, Philadelphia
Phon	Sound	Telephone, Phonics, Symphony
Phot	Light	Photograph, Photosynthesis, Photon
Port	Carry	Transport, Portable, Import
Psych	Mind, Soul	Psychology, Psychic, Psychiatry
Quant	How Much	Quantity, Quantify, Quantum
Rect	Right, Straight	Rectangle, Correct, Direct
Rupt	Break	Erupt, Interrupt, Corrupt
Sci	Know	Science, Conscious, Omniscient
Scrib/Script	Write	Describe, Manuscript, Prescription
Sect	Cut	Section, Dissect, Intersection
Sens/Sent	Feel	Sense, Sentiment, Sensible
Sol	Sun	Solar, Solarium, Solstice
Son	Sound	Sonic, Consonant, Resonance
Spec/Spect	Look, See	Inspect, Spectacle, Respect
Struct	Build	Structure, Construct, Instruct
Tact/Tang	Touch	Contact, Tangible, Intact
Tele	Far, Distant	Telephone, Television, Telescope
Temp	Time	Temporary, Tempo, Contemporary
Terr	Earth, Land	Territory, Terrain, Terrestrial
Therm	Heat	Thermometer, Thermal, Thermostat
Tract	Pull, Drag	Attract, Contract, Extract
Urb	City	Urban, Suburb, Urbanisation
Vac	Empty	Vacant, Vacuum, Evacuate
Ver	True	Verify, Verdict, Veracious
Vers/Vert	Turn	Reverse, Convert, Vertical
Vid/Vis	See	Video, Vision, Visible
Viv	Live	Vivid, Survive, Revival
Voc/Vok	Call, Voice	Vocal, Invoke, Vocabulary

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List of Common Greek and Latin Root Words in English Grammar

Understanding root words is a key part of building a strong English vocabulary. Root words, often from Greek or Latin, carry the core meaning of a word. By learning them, students can easily identify, understand, and remember complex words.

Root Word	Origin	Meaning	Example Words
Acr	Greek	Sharp, High	Acrobat, Acrid, Acronym
Ag/Act	Latin	To Do, Drive	Agent, Action, Activate
Agri	Latin	Field	Agriculture, Agrarian, Agronomy
Alter	Latin	Other	Alternate, Alternative, Alter
Anim	Latin	Life, Spirit	Animal, Animate, Unanimous
Anthrop	Greek	Human	Anthropology, Misanthrope, Philanthropy
Anti	Greek	Against	Antibiotic, Antithesis, Antisocial
Arch	Greek	Chief, Ruler	Monarchy, Architect, Hierarchy
Astro	Greek	Star	Astronomy, Astronaut, Astrology
Audio	Latin	Hear	Audible, Audience, Auditorium
Auto	Greek	Self	Automatic, Automobile, Autobiography
Bene	Latin	Good, Well	Benefit, Benevolent, Benediction
Bi	Latin	Two	Bicycle, Bilateral, Biennial
Bio	Greek	Life	Biology, Biography, Antibiotic
Carn	Latin	Flesh	Carnivore, Carnival, Incarnate
Cent	Latin	Hundred	Century, Centennial, Percent
Chron	Greek	Time	Chronology, Chronic, Synchronise
Circum	Latin	Around	Circumference, Circumstance, Circumnavigate
Cogn	Latin	To Know	Recognise, Cognitive, Incognito
Corp	Latin	Body	Corporation, Corpse, Incorporate
Cosm	Greek	Universe	Cosmos, Cosmopolitan, Microcosm
Cred	Latin	Believe	Credible, Credit, Incredible
Curr/Curs	Latin	Run	Current, Cursor, Excursion
Cycl	Greek	Circle	Cycle, Bicycle, Cyclone
Dem	Greek	People	Democracy, Demographic, Epidemic
Derm	Greek	Skin	Dermatology, Epidermis, Hypodermic
Dict	Latin	Speak, Say	Dictionary, Predict, Dictate
Duc/Duct	Latin	Lead	Conduct, Educate, Aqueduct
Dyn	Greek	Power	Dynamic, Dynasty, Dynamite
Equ	Latin	Equal	Equal, Equation, Equator
Fac/Fact	Latin	Make, Do	Factory, Manufacture, Artefact
Fer	Latin	Carry, Bear	Transfer, Ferry, Confer
Fin	Latin	End, Limit	Final, Finish, Infinite
Flex/Flect	Latin	Bend	Flexible, Reflect, Deflect
Form	Latin	Shape	Transform, Conform, Formation
Fort	Latin	Strong	Fortress, Fortify, Comfort
Fract/Frag	Latin	Break	Fracture, Fragment, Fragile
Gen	Greek/Latin	Birth, Race, Kind	Generate, Genetics, Genesis
Geo	Greek	Earth	Geography, Geology, Geometry
Grad/Gress	Latin	Step, Go	Graduate, Progress, Aggressive
Graph/Gram	Greek	Write, Record	Biography, Telegram, Photograph
Grav	Latin	Heavy	Gravity, Grave, Gravitate
Hemi	Greek	Half	Hemisphere, Hemicycle, Hemiplegia
Hetero	Greek	Different	Heterosexual, Heterogeneous, Heterodox
Homo	Greek/Latin	Same, Man	Homogeneous, Homosexual, Homicide
Hydr	Greek	Water	Hydrate, Hydraulic, Dehydrate
Hyper	Greek	Over, Above	Hyperactive, Hyperbole, Hypertension
Hypo	Greek	Under, Below	Hypothesis, Hypodermic, Hypoglycemia
Ject	Latin	Throw	Project, Reject, Inject
Jur/Jus	Latin	Law, Right	Jury, Justice, Jurisdiction
Lat	Latin	Carry	Translate, Relate, Correlation
Leg	Latin	Law	Legal, Legislation, Legitimate
Liber	Latin	Free	Liberty, Liberal, Liberate
Lingu	Latin	Language	Linguistics, Bilingual, Linguist
Lit	Latin	Letter	Literature, Literal, Literacy
Loc	Latin	Place	Location, Local, Allocate
Log	Greek	Word, Study, Reason	Logic, Dialogue, Biology
Luc/Lum	Latin	Light	Lucid, Illuminate, Luminous
Magn	Latin	Great, Large	Magnificent, Magnify, Magnitude
Mal	Latin	Bad, Evil	Malfunction, Malicious, Malpractice
Man	Latin	Hand	Manual, Manufacture, Manipulate
Mater/Matr	Latin	Mother	Maternal, Matriarch, Maternity
Medi	Latin	Middle	Median, Mediate, Mediterranean
Mem	Latin	Remember	Memory, Memorial, Commemorate
Meter/Metr	Greek	Measure	Thermometer, Geometry, Metric
Micro	Greek	Small	Microscope, Microphone, Microbe
Migr	Latin	Move	Migrate, Immigrant, Migration
Miss/Mit	Latin	Send	Mission, Transmit, Dismiss
Mob/Mot/Mov	Latin	Move	Mobile, Motion, Movement
Mono	Greek	One	Monopoly, Monologue, Monotone
Mort	Latin	Death	Mortal, Immortal, Mortuary
Multi	Latin	Many	Multiple, Multiply, Multitude
Nat	Latin	Born, Birth	Nature, Natural, Innate
Neo	Greek	New	Neonatal, Neoclassical, Neophyte
Nom/Nym	Greek/Latin	Name	Nominate, Synonym, Anonymous
Nov	Latin	New	Novel, Innovate, Renovation
Omni	Latin	All	Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnivore
Path	Greek	Feeling, Disease	Sympathy, Pathology, Empathy
Patr/Pater	Latin	Father	Paternal, Patriarch, Patriot
Ped	Latin	Foot	Pedestrian, Pedal, Biped
Phil	Greek	Love	Philosophy, Philanthropist, Philadelphia
Phob	Greek	Fear	Phobia, Claustrophobia, Agoraphobia
Phon	Greek	Sound	Telephone, Phonics, Symphony
Phot	Greek	Light	Photograph, Photosynthesis, Photon
Poly	Greek	Many	Polygon, Polytheism, Polynomial
Port	Latin	Carry	Transport, Portable, Import
Post	Latin	After	Postpone, Postgraduate, Postwar
Pre	Latin	Before	Preview, Predict, Prehistoric
Psych	Greek	Mind, Soul	Psychology, Psychic, Psychiatry
Re	Latin	Again, Back	Return, Repeat, Regenerate
Scrib/Script	Latin	Write	Describe, Manuscript, Prescription
Sect	Latin	Cut	Section, Dissect, Intersection
Sens/Sent	Latin	Feel	Sense, Sentiment, Sensible
Spec/Spect	Latin	Look, See	Inspect, Spectacle, Respect
Struct	Latin	Build	Structure, Construct, Instruct
Sub	Latin	Under	Submarine, Subway, Subordinate
Super	Latin	Above, Over	Superhuman, Superior, Supernatural
Syn/Sym	Greek	Together, With	Synchronise, Symphony, Synthesis
Tele	Greek	Far, Distant	Telephone, Television, Telescope
Temp	Latin	Time	Temporary, Tempo, Contemporary
Therm	Greek	Heat	Thermometer, Thermal, Thermostat
Trans	Latin	Across, Beyond	Transport, Translate, Transform
Uni	Latin	One	Uniform, Unicorn, Universe
Verb	Latin	Word	Verbal, Proverb, Adverb
Vers/Vert	Latin	Turn	Reverse, Convert, Vertical
Vid/Vis	Latin	See	Video, Vision, Visible
Vit/Viv	Latin	Life	Vital, Vivid, Survive

Also Read: Best Latin Proverbs About Life You Should Know

Practice Exercise on Root Words 

Instructions: Find and write the root word from each given questions. 

1. What is the root word in the word helpful?

2. Identify the root word in unfriendly.

3. What is the root word in dislike?

4. What does the root word tele mean in the word telephone?

5. Find the root word in builder.

6. What is the meaning of the root word aqua in the word aquarium?

7. What is the root word in unbelievable?

8. What does the root photo mean in the word photograph?

9. Identify the root word in readable.

10. What is the root word in transport?

11. What does the root word micro mean in microscope?

12. Find the root word in kindness.

13. What is the root word in prepaid?

14. What does the root graph mean in autograph?

`15. Identify the root word in singing.

Answers:

1. Help

2. Friend

3. Like

4. Far

5. Build

6. Water

7. Believe

8. Light

9. Read

10. Port

11. Small

12. Kind

13. Pay

14. Write

15. Sing

Root words in English, prefixes, suffixes and examples show how the language builds meaning in simple, creative ways. Root words give a word its base meaning, while prefixes and suffixes help change or expand that meaning. By understanding how these parts work together, students can learn new words faster and enjoy the process of building vocabulary with ease.

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