Greek and Latin Root Words

Did you know Greek and Latin words form the basis, or root, for several words in the English language? Indeed, we have borrowed from Greek, Latin, French, and almost every other classic or romance language. Why is this important? Well, sometimes we come across words that not even context clues can help us define. So, understanding the root of as many words as possible will help us decipher complex words that are unfamiliar to us.

In this way, if you understand the root, a simple suffix or prefix won't deter you from comprehension. Let's take the word antisocial, for example. As long as you remember the prefix anti- means against or opposite, and social refers to community or companionship you'll quickly understand antisocial means unfriendly or against society's norms.

Being a voracious reader will naturally boost your vocabulary. Context clues also provide helpful hints. But, certainly, a thorough understanding of our Greek root words is another tool in your kit.

Greek Root	Meaning	English Words
aer	air, atmosphere	aeronautics, aerosol
arche/archaeo	primitive, ancient, origin	archaic, archaeology
auto	self	autobiography, autoimmune
biblio	books, of books	bibliography, bibliophile
bio	life	autobiography, biology
chron	time	chronology, chronological
cosm/cosmo	world	microcosm, cosmic
dem	people	demographics, democracy
derma	skin	dermatologist, hypodermic
ethn/ethno	nation, race	ethnicity, ethos
geo	earth	geography, geology
gen	family, race	genealogy, genetic
gram	writing	grammar, grammatical
hemo	blood	hemophiliac, hemorrhage
hiero	sacred, holy	hieroglyphics, hierarchy
hydr/hydra/hydro	water	hydrate, hydraulic
ideo	idea	ideology, ideologue
log/logy	study, speech	logic, dialogue
meter/metr	measure	diameter, thermometer
micro	small	microscope, microcosm
ono/onym	name	anonymous, onomatopoeia
phil	loving	philanthropic, philanthropy
phob	fear	phobia, arachnophobia
phon	sound	phonetic, telephone
photo/phos	light	photograph, phosphorous
pneu	air, breath	pneumonia, pneumatic
polis	city	metropolis, cosmopolitan
psyche	mind, spirit	psychology, psychic
pyr	fire	pyromaniac, pyrogen
techno	Art, skill	architect, technique
the/theo	god	theology, apotheosize

You may notice some similarities between these Latin roots and the Greek roots above.

Latin Root	Meaning	English Words
acer/acid/acri	bitter, sour	acerbic, acidic
agri	field, country	agriculture, agribusiness
alb	white	albino, alabaster
amic	friendly	amicable, inimical
aud	hear, sound	audible, audiology
bon	good	bonanza, bonus
ced/cess	go, yield	recession, recede
femin	woman	feminine, feminism
flect/flex	bend	reflect, flexible
foli	leaf	foliage, defoliant
fract	to break	fracture, fractal
lat	broad, wide	latitude, lateral
lingu	language	bilingual, linguistics
longus	long	longevity, longitude
magn	great, large	magnificent, magnitude
mar	sea	maritime, marine
mir	amazement, wonder	miraculous, mirage
mit/miss	send, cast	remit, dismiss
mut	to change	mutate, mutation
naut	sailor	nautical, nautilus
nomin	to name	name, nominate
not	note, paper	notable, noted
nov	new	novice, novelty
port	to carry, to bear	portal, transport
pel/puls	drive, push	dispel, repulse
port	carry	transport, portable
rupt	to break	rupture, interrupt
sed	Sit	reside, sediment
sol	comfort, soothe	consolation, solace
tact	to touch	contact, tactile

Understanding root words will prove particularly useful for those preparing for the vocabulary section of the SATs. If you can ace the vocabulary and reading comprehension sections of the SATs, you're well on your way to collegiate success.

Greek and Latin Root Words

Greek Roots

Latin Roots

Root Words are Important for SATs