Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

ante

before

antedate, antecedent, antebellum, anterior, ante meridiem, antepenult

Latin

anti

against

antiaircraft, antibody, anticlimax, anticline, antitoxin, antithesis

Greek

bi

two

bilateral, bicycle, binary, bimonthly, biped, bipolar, binocular, bicuspid

Latin

circum

around

circumnavigate, circumspect, circumvent, circumlocution, circus

Latin

com

together

combination, comfort, commensurate, common, complete, combo

Latin

con

together

contract, confidence, confine, confederate, conjunction, contact

Latin

de

down

deposit, descent, despicable, denounce, deduct, demolish, decrepit, deplete

Latin

dis

away

distract, distort, dispute, dissonant, disperse, dismiss, dissuade, disprove

Latin

equi

equal

equitable, equilateral, equivocate, equinox, equation, equilibrium

Latin

extra

beyond

extraterrestrial, extraordinary, extravagant, extrovert, extramural

Latin

inter

between

international, interdepartmental, interstellar, interject, interlude

Latin

intra

within

intracellular, intravenous, intracranial, intrastate, intrauterine

Latin

intro

into

introduce, introspective, introvert, introject, introrse, intromission

Latin

mal

bad

malevolent, malcontent, malicious, malign, malady, malapropism

Latin

mis

bad

misfit, mistake, misfortune, misfire, misdeed, misguided

OE

non

not

nonstop, nonprofit, nonconformity, nonplussed, nonchalant

Latin

post

after

postgraduate, posthumous, postscript, posterity, posterior, postlude

Latin

pre

before

prelude, preposition, premonition, premature, predict, predecessor

Latin

semi

half

semitone, semiaquatic, semicircle, semiweekly, semiannual, semiformal

Latin

sub

under

subterranean, subtract, subordinate, submarine, subterfuge, substantial

Latin

super

over

supervise, superb, superior, superfluous, supercilious, supernatural

Latin

syn

together

synthetic, synchronize, syndrome, synonym, synopsis, syntax

Greek

sym

together

sympathy, symbiosis, symbol, symmetry, symphony, symposium

Greek

tri

three

tricycle, triangle, triceps, triad, trichotomy, triceratops, trivia, trialogue

G/L

un

not

unfit, unequal, undone, unequivocal, unearned, unconventional, untenable

Germanic

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

ad

to

adhesive, adapt, addendum, addition, adherent, addict, advent, advocate

Latin

anthropo

man

anthropology, anthropomorphic, anthropoid, lycanthrope, misanthrope

Greek

aqua

water

aquarium, aquatic, aquaplane, aqueduct, aquifer, aqueous, semiaquatic

Latin

archy

government

monarchy, oligarchy, hierarchy, anarchy, matriarchal, patriarch

Greek

ard

always

drunkard, coward, braggart, laggard, dullard, sluggard, niggardly

Germanic

audi

hear

audiophile, audience, audition, auditory, audiometer, audit, audiology

Latin

auto

self

autobiography, automobile, autograph, automatic, automaton, autocracy

Greek

bell

war

bellicose, belligerent, rebel, casus belli, rebellion

Latin

biblio

book

bibliography, bibliophile, bibliolatry, bible, bibliomania, bibliophobia

Greek

bio

life

biography, biology, biomorphic, biochemistry, exobiology, biogenesis

Greek

cap

take

capture, captive, captor, captious, captivate, captivity, caption, capsule

Latin

cede

go

recede, precede, antecedent, proceed, secede, concede, intercede, succeed

Latin

cent

one hundred

century, bicentennial, centimeter, centipede, centurion

Latin

centri

center

centrifugal, centripetal, centrist, concentric, decentralize, eccentric

G/L

cide

kill

herbicide, homicide, matricide, suicide, regicide, genocide, fratricide

Latin

cise

cut

excise, incisors, incision, circumcise, incisive, precise, concise, decision

Latin

cred

believe

credit, incredible, credible, incredulous, discredited, credibility, credo

Latin

dict

say

dictionary, predict, malediction, dictation, addict, interdict, contradict

Latin

ician

specialist

technician, musician, beautician, physician, statistician, clinician

Latin

itis

inflammation

appendicitis, tonsillitis, bursitis, arthritis, gastroenteritis

Greek

logy

science

biology, anthropology, geology, entomology, philology, mythology

Greek

miss

send

dismiss, remiss, missile, admission, missionary, emission, promissory

Latin

neo

new

neologism, neophyte, neon, neolithic, neoclassic, neoPlatonist, neonatal

Greek

port

carry

transport, import, report, porter, deport, important, portage, portly, comport

Latin

scrib

write

scribble, inscribe, scribe, describe, conscription, transcribe, ascribe

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

duct

lead

conduct, ductile, induct, product, reduction, deduction, reproduction

Latin

ex

out

exit, except, excise, exculpate, elucidate, exorbitant, enumerate

Latin

fer

carry

transfer, infer, refer, defer, conifer, Lucifer, aquifer, auriferous

Latin

hema

blood

hematic, hematite, hematology, hematoma, hemal, hematogenesis

Greek

homo

same

homogenize, homonym, homophone, homologous, homozygous

Greek

hydro

water

hydroplane, hydroponics, dehydrate, hydrant, hydrogen, hydrophobia

Greek

hypo

under

hypodermic, hypocrite, hypotenuse, hypothermia, hypothesis

Greek

micro

small

micron, microscope, microwave, microphone, microcosm, microbiotic

Greek

mono

one

monotonous, monomania, monocular, monogamous, monolithic, monotone

Greek

neuro

nerve

neuron, neurosurgeon, neurosis, neurology, neuralgia, neurotomy

Greek

omni

all

omnifarious, omnipotent, omnivorous, omniscient, omnibus, omnipresent

Latin

pan

all

panorama, panoply, pandemic, pantheism, pantheon, Pan-American

Greek

pend

hang

pending, pendulum, pendant, impending, depend, pendulous, suspend

Latin

penta

five

pentagram, pentagon, pentameter, pentathlon, pentarchy, pentahedron

Greek

phon

sound

symphony, telephone, phonetic, phonograph, euphony, cacophony

Greek

photo

light

photograph, photometer, photon, photogenic, photosynthesis

Greek

poly

many

polyphony, polygyny, polygamy, allopolyploidy, polyvalent

Greek

proto

first

protoplasm, prototype, Protozoa, proton, protohuman, protomorphic

Greek

pseudo

false

pseudonym, pseudopod, pseudomorphic, pseudoscience, pseudoevent

Greek

re

again

return, review, retouch, reiterate, retail, revive, regenerate, regurgitate

Latin

spec

look

spectacles, specter, specious, spectrum, respect, inspect, prospectus

Latin

tele

far

telescope, telephone, telekinesis, telepathy, teleology, telesthesia, telex

Greek

tomy

cut

tonsillectomy, appendectomy, neurotomy, dichotomy, anatomy, lobotomy

Greek

vid

look

video, invidious, Montevideo, evidence, provide, videogenic, vide, videlicet

Latin

viv

life

vivid, vivisection, vivacious, convivial, bon vivant, viva, viviparous, revive

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

amphi

both

amphibious, amphitheater, amphibian, amphigory, amphibolous

Greek

bene

good

benefit, benevolent, beneficial, benediction, benefactor, benign

Latin

corp

body

corpulent, corporation, corporeal, corporal, corpse, corpuscle

Latin

dorm

sleep

dormitory, dormant, dormer, dormancy, dormitive, dormient

Latin

dox

opinion

orthodox, heterodox, doxology, paradox, paradoxical

Greek

endo

within

endoplasm, endocrine, endogamous, endoskeleton, endothermic

Greek

eu

good

Eucharist, euphony, eulogy, euphemism, eugenics, euglena

Greek

ject

throw

eject, reject, conjecture, dejected, inject, subject, projection, interject

Latin

loco

place

locomotive, location, local, locus, relocate, dislocate, localize, locomotor

Latin

magn

great

Magna Carta, magnanimous, magnate, magnificent, magnum opus

Latin

matri

mother

matricide, matron, matriarch, matrimony, matrilineal

Latin

mega

large

megalith, megaphone, megalomania, megalopolis, megahertz, megaton

Greek

morph

shape

amorphous, morphology, polymorphous, mesomorph, protomorph

Greek

nov

new

novel, nova, novice, novitiate, Nova Scotia, innovation, renovate

Latin

ortho

straight

orthopedics, orthodontist, orthodox, orthography, orthogonal

Greek

pater

father

paternalistic, patronize, paternity, patriarch, expatriate, paterfamilias

G/L

phobia

fear

claustrophobia, acrophobia, xenophobia, agoraphobia, hydrophobia

Greek

pond

weight

ponderous, ponder, preponderant, pound, imponderable, compound

Latin

pop

people

popular, populist, populate, population, popularize, populous

Latin

punct

point

punctuate, punctilious, puncture, punctual, acupuncture, contrapuntal

Latin

put

think

reputation, putative, impute, dispute, computer, disreputable

Latin

sangui

blood

sanguinary, sanguine, consanguinity, sangfroid, sangria

Latin

tion

act/state

completion, reaction, devastation, production, creation, transition

Latin

ver

true

verify, veracity, veritable, verdict, verisimilitude, aver, cinema verite

Latin

vest

clothes

vestry, vestment, vestibule, vest, investiture, divest, divestiture

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

alter

other

alternator, alteration, alter ego, alternative, altruism, altercation

Latin

amat

love

amatory, amateur, amorous, amiable, amigo, amour-propre, amity

Latin

astr

star

astronomy, astrology, asteroid, disaster, asterisk, astrophysics, astrolabe

Greek

chron

time

chronometer, chronological, synchronize, chronic, anachronism

Greek

cogn

know

recognize, cognizant, incognito, cognoscenti, precognition

Latin

contra

against

contradict, contrary, contrast, contrapuntal, contraband, contravene

Latin

dec

ten

decade, decaliter, decimal, decagon, decathlon, decimate, dodecahedron

G/L

demo

people

democracy, demography, undemocratic, democratize

Greek

dyna

power

dynamic, dynamo, dynamite, dynasty, dynamometer

Greek

geo

earth

geography, geothermal, geology, geophysics, geometry, geosynchronous

Greek

gyro

turn

gyration, gyroscope, gyre, gyrate, spirogyra, gyromagnetic, gyrocompass

Greek

helio

sun

Helios, heliotropic, heliocentric, heliograph, perihelion, aphelion

Greek

hyper

over

hyperactive, hyperventilate, hyperbole, hyperacidity, hypertension

Greek

ism

doctrine

Marxism, capitalism, Imagism, Cubism, nihilism, pluralism, tribalism

Greek

luna

moon

lunar, lunatic, lunate, luna moth, lunette, sublunar, lunular

Latin

meter

measure

thermometer, millimeter, octameter, hydrometer, odometer

Greek

octa

eight

octameter, octogenarian, octagon, octarchy, octave, octopus, octahedron

G/L

scope

look

telescope, microscope, periscope, radarscope, horoscope, electroscope

Greek

son

sound

sonar, unison, sonorous, sonnet, dissonance, resonant, supersonic

Latin

stell

star

interstellar, stelliform, stellar, constellation, stellate, stellify

Latin

stereo

solid

stereoscope, stereophonic, stereotype, stereopticon, stereotropism

Greek

sur

over

surplus, surpass, surcharge, surface, surfeit, surmount, surname, surtax

Latin

tetra

four

tetrameter, tetrahedron, tetroxide, tetragon, tetrachloride, tetracycline

Greek

thermo

heat

thermostat, thermos, thermotropic, thermonuclear, thermocouple

Greek

vita

life

vitamin, vitality, vital, revitalize, viable, vitalism, devitalize

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

clam

cry out

clamorous, exclamation, clamor, exclamatory, clamant, declaim

Latin

clud

close

exclude, include, preclude, exclusive, occlude, conclude, cloister

Latin

curr

run

current, undercurrent, currently, recurrent, currency, incur

Latin

dign

worthy

dignify, dignity, condign, dignitary, undignified, indignation

Latin

gamy

marriage

monogamy, polygamy, bigamy, gamete, autogamous, exogamy

Greek

germ

vital/related

germane, germinate, germicide, germinal, germ

Latin

grat

pleasing

gratifying, gratitude, ingrate, grateful, gratuitous, ingratiate

Latin

greg

group

gregarious, egregious, gregariously, segregate, congregate, aggregate

Latin

junct

join

junction, conjunction, juncture, disjunct, injunction, adjunct

Latin

liber

free

liberate, liberty, liberal, libertine, libertarian, liberation

Latin

luc

light

lucid, translucent, lucidity, pellucid, Lucifer, elucidate, lucent, lucubrate

Latin

mar

sea

marine, marina, ultramarine, maritime, mariner, marinate, submarine

Latin

medi

middle

median, mediate, medium, mediocre, Mediterranean, in medias res

Latin

migr

wander

migrate, transmigration, migrant, migratory, emigrant, immigrant

Latin

plu

more

plural, plurality, plus, pluralize, pluralism, nonplussed

Latin

prim

first

prime, primary, primate, primogeniture, primeval, prima donna, primo

Latin

pyro

fire

pyre, pyromania, pyrotechnic, pyrogenic, pyrophobia, pyrometer

Greek

rupt

break

erupt, disrupt, rupture, corrupt, abrupt, incorruptible

Latin

se

apart

secede, secret, sedition, seduce, segregate, select, separate

Latin

soph

wisdom

sophomore, sophisticated, sophist, philosophy, pansophy, theosophy

Greek

string

bind

stringent, string, stringy, astringent, stringer

Latin

tang

touch

tangible, tangent, tangential, cotangent, intangible, tangibility

Latin

tempor

time

temporal, contemporary, temporize, temporarily, tempus fugit

Latin

trans

across

transfer, translate, transmit, transfusion, translucent, transcend

Latin

trib

pay

tribute, tributary, retribution, contribution, attribute, distribute

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

acr

sharp

acrimonious, acerbity, acrid, acridine, acrimony, acerate

Latin

acro

high

acrobat, acronym, acropolis, acrophobia, acromegaly, acrocarpous

Greek

agog

leader

demagogue, pedagogue, synagogue, agogics, pedagogy, mystagogue

Greek

brev

short

brevity, abbreviation, breve, breviary, brevirostrate, brief

Latin

cle

small

molecule, corpuscle, follicle, minuscule, ventricle, particle, vesicle

Latin

culp

blame

culprit, culpable, exculpate, inculpate, exculpatory

Latin

derm

skin

dermatologist, dermatitis, pachyderm, hypodermic, ectoderm, endoderm

Greek

dia

across

diagonal, diameter, dialogue, dialect, diatribe, diaphanous, dialectic

Greek

ecto

outer

ectoderm, ectozoa, ectomorph, ectothermic, ectoplasm, ectoparasite

Greek

ego

I

egomaniac, egocentric, egotistical, egotist, egotize, egoism, alter ego

G/L

fort

strong

fortitude, fort, fortify, fortification, comfort, forte, fortissimo, pianoforte

Latin

fus

pour

transfusion, infusion, refuse, fusillade, fusion, infuse, confusion

Latin

il

not

illegal, illiterate, illicit, illogical, illegible, illiberal

Latin

necro

death

necropolis, necromancer, necrophobia, necrotic, necrobiosis

Greek

numer

number

enumerate, numeral, numerous, supernumeraries, numerology

Latin

ornith

bird

ornithology, ornithologist, ornithopter, ornithomancy, ornithosis

Greek

osteo

bone

osteopath, osteology, osteopathy, osteoblast, osteocyte, osteotomy

Greek

pac

peace

pacify, pacific, pacifist, pacifier, pacifism, Pax Romana, pacification

Latin

per

through

perception, perforation, percolate, perambulate, peregrination

Latin

plasto

molded

plastic, dermoplasty, rhinoplasty, plaster, plasticity, plastid

Greek

polis

city

metropolis, megalopolis, police, polite, policy, acropolis, necropolis

Greek

pugn

fight

pugnacious, repugnant, pugilist, impugn, oppugn, inexpugnable

Latin

spir

breathe

inspire, respiration, perspiration, expire, spirit, aspire, conspire

Latin

urb

city

urban, urbane, suburbs, urbanite, urbanologist, urbanism

Latin

zo

animal

zoo, protozoa, zoophilous, zooplankton, zoophagous, Mesozoic, zodiac

Greek

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

anim

mind

equanimity, animal, animated, animosity, magnanimous, animadversion

Latin

apt

fit

adapt, aptitude, maladapted, adaptation, aptly, aptness

Latin

cur

care for

cure, curator, curative, cure-all, sinecure, secure, curate

Latin

demi

half

demigod, demitasse, demisemiquaver, demimonde, demirep

Latin

fy

make

fortify, rectify, horrify, solidify, reify, transmogrify, sanctify, pacify

Latin

gest

carry

gestation, digest, ingest, congestion, gesticulate, gesture

Latin

leg

read

legible, legend, illegible, legendary, legibility, illegibility

Latin

man

hand

manual, manicure, manipulate, manacles, amanuensis, legerdemain

Latin

meta

change

metamorphosis, metaphor, metaphysics, metastasize, metabolism

Greek

mir

wonder

miracle, mirage, mirror, mirabile dictu, admire, mirabilia, miracle play

Latin

nym

name

homonym, acronym, pseudonym, anonymous, patronymic, synonym

Greek

ocul

eye

binocular, monocular, ocular, oculist, oculomotor nerve, oculometer

Latin

oid

appearance

android (droid!), anthropoid, asteroid, adenoid, xyloid, haploid

Greek

petr

rock

petrify, petroleum, petrology, petroglyph, petrochemical

Greek

rect

right

correct, rectitude, direct, rectilinear, rectangle, rectify, rector, erect

Latin

retro

backward

retroactive, retrofire, retrogress, retrospection, retrofit, retrorse

Latin

rid

laugh

ridicule, deride, derision, risibility, ridiculous

Latin

sanct

holy

sanctity, sanctimonious, sacrosanct, sanctuary, unsanctioned, sanctify

Latin

sed

sit

sedentary, sediment, sedan, sedative, sedate, supersede, assiduous, insidious

Latin

sens

feel

sense, sensitive, sensation, sensory, extrasensory, insensate

Latin

tact

touch

tactile, contact, tactful, intact, tactility, taction

Latin

tort

twist

contorted, torture, tortuous, retort, distort, tortuous, tort, tortilla

Latin

ultra

beyond

ultramarine, ultraconservative, ultraviolet, ultramundane

Latin

voc

voice

vociferously, vocal, sotto voce, invocation, vocabulary, convocation

Latin

volv

roll

revolve, involved, devolve, convoluted, volvox, revolution, volvulus

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

a-

not

amoral, amorphous, atheist, apathy, agraphia, apolitical, aphasia, achromatic

Greek

ambul

walk

ambulatory, somnambulism, funambulist, ambulance, perambulate

Latin

-ar

relating to

pulsar, stellar, lunar, solar, secular, columnar, linear, circular

Latin

caco

bad

cacophony, cacography, cacodemon, cacoethes, cacodyl, cacology

Greek

co

together

cooperate, coordinating, coterminous, colloquy, coauthor, cotangent

Latin

fid

faith

infidel, fidelity, confidence, diffident, bona fide, fiduciary, perfidy

Latin

fin

end

final, define, infinite, finial, finis, Finisterre, infinitive, fin de siecle

Latin

fract

break

fracture, infraction, fraction, refraction, refractory, fractious

Latin

graph

write

bibliography, photograph, autograph, polygraph, stenography

Greek

hedron

sided object

polyhedron, tetrahedron, heptahedron, octahedron, icosahedron

Greek

hetero

different

heterodox, heteromorphic, heterogeneous, heterosexual, heteronym

Greek

hexa

six

hexagram, hexagon, hexapod, hexameter, hexahedron, hexarchy

Greek

in

in/not

inscribe, insane, infidel, indefinite, incorrigible, insomnia

Latin

ine

nature of

porcine, crystalline, saturnine, canine, ursine, vulpine, bovine

G/L

lat

side

bilateral, unilateral, lateral fin, multilateral, collateral

Latin

lith

rock

neolithic, paleolithic, lithograph, megalith, monolith, lithium, laccolith

Greek

nomy

law

astronomy, economy, Deuteronomy, taxonomy, heteronomy, nomothetic

Greek

ous

full of

luminous, glorious, loquacious, vivacious, garrulous, anomalous, zealous

Latin

path

feeling

sympathy, pathetic, pathos, telepathy, empathy, apathy, idiopathy

Greek

phile

love

philosopher, audiophile, bibliophile, philologist, philanthropy

Greek

platy

flat

plateau, platyhelminthes, platypus, plate, platitude, platyrrhine

Greek

sci

know

science, conscience, prescience, omniscience, scientism

Latin

theo

god

theology, pantheism, atheism, monotheism, apotheosis, henotheism

Greek

topo

place

topographical, topology, topic, topiary, toponym, topognosia

Greek

tract

pull

tractor, detract, retraction, attractive, protractor, contract, traction

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

alt

high

altitude, alto, altimeter, altar, altocumulus, altiplano

Latin

ate

cause

domesticate, implicate, create, procreate, insinuate, placate, dominate

Latin

cad

fall

cascade, cadaver, cadence, cadenza, cadaverous, decadent

Latin

capit

head

decapitate, capital, recapitulate, capitulation, capitulum

Latin

carn

flesh

carnivorous, incarnate, reincarnated, carnival, carnation, carnage

Latin

cor

heart

core, concord, discord, misericord, cordial, courageous

Latin

crypt

hidden

cryptic, cryptologist, crypt, cryptogram, encrypt, cryptesthesia

Greek

curs

run

cursive, discursive, incursion, precursor, cursory, cursorial, cursor

Latin

ess

female

lioness, empress, princess, baroness, seamstress, governess

G/L

ethno

race/culture

ethnocentrism, ethnic group, ethnography, ethnologist

Greek

fug

flee

centrifuge, fugitive, tempus fugit, subterfuge, refugee, fugue

Latin

gen

origin

genetics, hydrogen, progeny, engender, gene, ingenuous, indigenous

G/L

ics

art

politics, economics, aesthetics, graphics, ethics, calisthenics

Greek

iso

equal

isothermal, isometric, isosceles, isomer, isocracy, isotope

Greek

loqu

talk

loquacious, circumlocution, eloquent, soliloquy, somniloquy

Latin

mort

death

mortal, mortician, mortified, immortality, mortuary, moribund

Latin

muta

change

mutant, mutation, mutagenic, mutable, transmutation, immutable

Latin

nat

born

prenatal, native, natural, nativity, nation, nascent, natal, perinatal

Latin

ness

quality

softness, redness, politeness, kindness, darkness, vagueness

Germanic

paleo

old

paleozoic, paleolithic, paleontologist, paleoanthropic, paleography

Greek

ped

foot

centipede, expedition, pedestrian, pedestal, pedal, pedicure, impede

Latin

ped

child

orthopedist, pedagogue, pediatrics, pediatrician, pedodontic

Greek

psych

soul

psychology, psychic, psychopathic, parapsychology, psychosis

Greek

sacro

holy

sacrosanct, sacred, sacrifice, sacrament, sacrilege, consecrate

Latin

uni

one

unicycle, universe, united, union, uniform, unison, unique, unicorn

Latin

vert

turn

convert, revert, inverted, divert, vertex, controvert, extrovert, introvert

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

act

to do

transact, react, action, activate, abreact, counteract, interact

Latin

ag

to do

agile, agent, agitate, agility, agency, agitation

Latin

andro

man

androgynous, android (droid!), androgens, androphobia, polyandry

Greek

ann

year

annual, superannuated, anniversary, annuity, perennial

Latin

apo

away/up

apotheosis, apogee, apoplexy, apology, aphelion, apostasy

Greek

bas

low

bass, base, basic, basal, bassoon, debase, contrabass, abase, bas-relief

G/L

cant

sing

recant, cantata, incantation, descant, canticle, canto

Latin

fic

make

fortification, prolific, horrific, soporific, pacification, deification

Latin

gram

writing

telegram, pentagram, hexagram, hologram, grammar

Greek

gyn

woman

androgynous, gynecologist, polygyny, misogynist, gynephobia

Greek

-i

plural

bacilli, fungi, nuclei, alumni, magi, octopi, gemini, homunculi, literati

Latin

jus

law

justice, justify, unjust, jus soli, justiciary

Latin

log

word/reason

logic, neologism, philologist, logician, illogical, monologue

Greek

lum

light

luminary, luminous, illuminate, luminiferous, superluminous

Latin

mob

move

mobility, mobile, immobile, mobilize, demobilize

Latin

nounce

tell

denounce, pronounce, announce, renounce, enunciate

Latin

parl

speak

parliament, parley, parlor, parlance, parlando

G/L

potent

power

potential, potentiometer, potentate, plenipotentiary, omnipotent

Latin

pro

forward

provide, pronounce, program, prognosticate, prospect, prognosis, prolix

G/L

reg

rule

regal, regiment, regulate, regent, interregnum, regicide, regime

Latin

rogat

ask

interrogation, abrogate, derogatory, arrogate, supererogatory

Latin

sen

old

senile, senior, senator, seniority, senescent

Latin

sess

sit

session, sessile, insessorial, sessility, obsessed

Latin

sol

alone

solitude, solitary, solo, soliloquy, desolate, solipsism, solifidian

Latin

surg

rise

resurgence, insurgence, surge, surgent

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

ab

away

abnormal, abjure, absent, abrogate, abrupt, abduct, abdicate

Latin

aden

gland

adenoid, adenine, adenoma, adenovirus

Greek

aer

air

aerobic, aerie, aerosol, aerial, aerobes, aerodynamics, malaria

G/L

alb

white

albumen, alba, album, albino, albinism, albedo

Latin

an-

without

anemia, anechoic, anaerobic, anorexia, anarchy

Greek

ase

enzyme

permease, galactosidase, proteinase, luciferase

Greek

-be

life

microbe, aerobe, anaerobe

Greek

bon

good

bonny, bonanza, bon mot, bonus, bon vivant, bonhomie, bona fide

Latin

chlor

green

chlorophyll, chlorine, chloroplasts, chlorella

Greek

cyan

blue

pyocyanin, cyanide, cyan, cyanophyta, cyanosis, cyanotype

Greek

cyt

cell

erythrocyte, leucocyte, cytology, cytoplasm, melanocyte

Greek

diplo

double

diplococcus, diploid, diplomacy, diplopoda, diplopia

Greek

dys

bad

dysentery, dyslexia, dystrophy, dysfunction, dysphonia

Greek

eco

house

ecology, economy, ecosystem, ecotone, economist, ecologist

Greek

emia

blood

bacteremia, anemia, hypoglycemia, toxemia

Greek

enter

intestine

enteritis, dysentery, gastroenteritis, enterozoan

G/L

epi

on

epicenter, epidemic, epigram, epidermis, epigraph, epitaph

Greek

erythro

red

erythrocyte, erythroblastosis, erythrism, erythromycin

Greek

exo

out

exotoxin, exogenous, exodus, exorcism, exotic, exobiology

Greek

fil

thread

filiform, filicinae, filament, filaria, filigree, defile

Latin

hum

earth

humus, exhume, posthumous, humble, humiliate, human

Latin

idio

peculiar

idiot, idiosyncrasy, idiomorphous, idiom, idiot savant

Greek

im

not

impossible, impassable, improbable, imperfect, immobile, impecunious

Latin

mel

song

melody, melodrama, melodeon, melodious, melodia

Greek

struct

build

construct, destruct, substructure, instruction, structure, infrastructure

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

chrom

color

chrome, chromatic, chromatin, chromosome, polychrome, monochrome

Greek

form

shape

coliform, formation, formative, formula, uniform, oviform, reform

Latin

glyc

sweet

glycemia, glycerin, glycerol, glycogen, hypoglycemia, glucose

Greek

gress

step

congress, egress, digress, progress, aggression, regress, ingress

Latin

hemo

blood

hemoglobin, hemorrhage, hemophilia, hemolysis, hemoid, hemostat

Greek

infra

beneath

infraorbital, infrared, infrasonic, infra dig, infralapsarianism

Latin

labor

work

labor, laborious, collaborate, laboratory, elaborate, labored

Latin

leuko

white

leukocyte, leukemia, leucocytosis, leucite, leucoplast, leucocratic

Greek

lys

break down

hemolysis, electrolysis, electrolyte, analysis, dialysis, lysis

Greek

mem

remember

memory, memorandum, commemorate, memorial, memo, memoir

Latin

meso

middle

mesophilic, mesomorph, Mesozoic, Mesopotamia, mesophyll

Greek

milli

thousandth

millimeter, millipede, milligram, milliliter, million, millimicron

Latin

myo

muscle

myocardium, myopia, myoglobin, myogram, myocarditis, myotomy

Greek

oligo

few/small

oligosaccharide, oligarchy, oligocarpus, Oligocene, oligoclase

Greek

ose

sugar

lactose, fructose, sucrose, glucose, dextrose, dextroglucose

Greek

osis

condition

neurosis, psychosis, ichthyosis, erythroblastosis, thrombosis, meiosis

Greek

patho

disease

pathogenic, psychopath, sociopath, pathological, idiopathic

Greek

phag

eat

phagocyte, bacteriophage, geophagy, anthropophagite, sarcophagus

Greek

phor

carry

euphoria, conidiophore, metaphor, chromatophore, dysphoria, anaphora

Greek

phyll

leaf

chlorophyll, phyllotaxis, phyllopod, phyllophagous, monophyllous

Greek

phyt

plant

phytotoxin, sporophyte, neophyte, gametophyte, phytochrome

Greek

sequ

follow

consecutive, sequence, sequel, obsequious, consequence, subsequent

Latin

tude

state of

pulchritude, multitude, solitude, turpitude, rectitude, aptitude, similitude

Latin

ultima

last

ultimate, ultimatum, penultimate, Ultima Thule, ultimogeniture

Latin

vac

empty

vacant, vacuum, vacation, evacuate, vacuous, vacuole, vacuity

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

-a

plural

data, phenomena, bacteria, Cephalopoda, phyla, effluvia, trivia, Nematoda

G/L

dom

rule

dominate, predominant, dominion, domineering, subdominant, domain

Latin

erg

work

energy, ergonomics, erg-second, ergatocracy, exergonic, synergy

Greek

frat

brother

fraternity, fraternal, fratricide, fraternize

Latin

hippo

horse

hippopotamus, hippodrome, hippogriff, hipparch, eohippus

Greek

para

beside/near

parable, parapsychology, parabola, paradigm, paradox, paraphrase

Greek

pleo

more

pleomorphic, pleonasm, pleochroic, Pliocene, pleophagous

Greek

pod

foot

pseudopod, arthropod, diplopoda, cephalopod, podiatrist, gastropod

Greek

rhiz

root

rhizoid, rhizome, rhizomorphous, rhizophagous, rhizanthous

Greek

rhodo

rose

rhododendron, rhodolite, Rhode Island, rhodium

Greek

sapro

rotten

saprophytic, saprophyte, saprogenic, saprolite, saprophilous

Greek

schizo

divide

Schizomycetes, schizophrenia, schism, schizocarp, schizoid, schizopod

Greek

sect

cut

dissect, intersection, vivisection, bisect, section, sectarian, sector

Latin

som

body

somatic, chromosome, lysosome, somatoplasm, psychosomatic, somatology

Greek

soror

sister

sorority, sororicide, sorosis, sororize, sororal

Latin

spor

seed

endospore, sporophyte, sporangia, Sporozoa, sporogenesis, macrospore

Greek

sta

stop

hemostat, stasis, station, stationary, status quo, apostasy, hypostatize, static

G/L

taxis

arrangement

syntax, chemotaxis, taxidermy, phyllotaxis, taxonomy, ataxia

Greek

tox

poison

toxin, toxoid, nontoxic, antitoxin, detoxification, toxicity, phytotoxins

Greek

trich

hair

monotrichous, trichina, trichocysts, trichinosis, trichosis

Greek

troph

nourishment

autotroph, eutrophication, atrophy, dystrophy, trophism

Greek

val

worth

valiant, valid, equivalent, devaluate, evaluate, ambivalent, covalent

Latin

vol

will

volunteer, malevolent, benevolent, volition, involuntary

Latin

zygo

yoke

zygote, zygospore, zygodactyl, zygomorphic, zygoid, zygoptera

Greek

zym

ferment

enzyme, zymology, zymurgy, zymogenesis, zymoscope, zymogen

Greek

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

arthro

joint

arthritis, arthropod, arthralgia, arthrospore, arthroscopic

Greek

blasto

embryo

blastocyst, blastogenesis, erythroblast

Greek

brachio

arm

brachiopod, brachiation, brachiate, brachium

Greek

brachy

short

brachycephalic, brachypterous, brachycranic, brachylogy

Greek

branchio

gills

branchiopod, branchiate, branchia

Greek

dactylo

finger

pterodactyl, dactylic, dactylology, dactylography

Greek

dextro

right/clockwise

dextrose, dextral, dexterity, dexterous, dextrorotation

Latin

dicho

in two parts

dichotomy, dichotomize, dichogamous, dichotomist

Greek

dors

back

dorsal, dorsoventral, dorsum, dorsal fin

Latin

ef

out

effusive, effulgent, efflux, efficacy, effeminate, effluvium, effluent

Latin

gastro

stomach

gastronomy, gastroscope, gastropod, gastroenteritis, hypogastric

Greek

gon

angle

pentagon, tetragon, decagon, hexagonal, diagonal, orthogonal

Greek

haplo

single/simple

haploid, haplopia, haplosis, haplology

Greek

holo

whole

holocaust, hologram, holometabolous, holograph, holophrastic, holistic

Greek

ium

an element

radium, sodium, uranium, germanium, iridium, einsteinium

Latin

kin

motion

kinetic, kinescope, hypokinesia, hyperkinetic, telekinesis

Greek

lent

full of

corpulent, virulent, turbulent, excellent, succulent, insolent, indolent

Latin

lite

mineral/fossil

anthracite, perlite, cryolite, stalactite, halite, coprolite

Greek

macro

large

macrobiotic, macrocephalic, macrocosm, macron, macroscopic

Greek

opia

sight

myopia, hyperopia, hemeralopia, synopsis, diplopia, biopsy

Greek

phos

light

phosphorous, phosphene, phosphoroscope, phosphoresce

Greek

phylo

kind

phylum, phylogeny, phyla, phylogenesis, subphylum

Greek

tropo

turn

heliotrope, troposphere, tropism, trophy, phototropism, apogeotropism

Greek

ventri

belly

ventriloquist, ventral, ventricle, dorsoventral, ventriculus

Latin

vore

eating

omnivore, herbivore, carnivore, voracious, devour, fructivorous

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

algia

pain

neuralgia, analgesic, arthralgia, hemialgia, algometer, algophobia

Greek

Anglo

English

Anglophile, Anglophobe, Anglican, Anglicism, Anglo-Saxon

Latin

antho

flower

anthology, anthozoan, anthocyanin, anthophilous, anther

Greek

austro

south

Australopithecus, Australia, austral, Austronesia, austromancy

Latin

calli

beautiful

calligraphy, calliope, calisthenics, calliopsis

Greek

cata

down

catapult, catastrophe, catacombs, catalepsy, cataclysm, cataract

Greek

caust

burn

caustic, holocaust, cauterize, caustically, causticity

Greek

cephalo

head

cephalic, cephalopod, cephalothorax, microcephalic, encephalitis

Greek

chiro

hand

chiromancy, chiropody, chiropteran, chiropractor

Greek

cracy

government

autocracy, democracy, aristocracy, plutocracy, meritocracy

Greek

err

wander

error, erratic, Knight-errant, erroneous, erratum

Latin

flu

flow

confluence, fluid, influence, fluent, superfluous, effluent, fluvial

Latin

here

stick

coherence, adhesive, adhere, inherent, incoherent

Latin

ist

one who

artist, funambulist, anthropologist, solipsist, centrist, atheist, sophist

Greek

ize

make

victimize, harmonize, temporize, mobilize, fossilize, polarize, bowdlerize

Greek

jur

swear

abjure, adjure, perjure, jury, jurisdiction, jurisprudence, jurist

Latin

mania

madness

kleptomania, egomania, pyromania, dipsomania, megalomania

Greek

mund

world

mundane, transmundane, intermundane, mundanity

Latin

pithec

ape

pithecanthropus, Australopithecus, dryopithecus, oreopithecus

Greek

pos

put

position, deposit, superimpose, transpose, depose, imposition

Latin

quadr

four

quadruped, quadratic, quadrant, quadruplet, quadrilateral, quadriplegic

Latin

saur

lizard

dinosaur, pterosaur, tyrannosaurus, stegosaurus, saurian, plesiosaur

Greek

sine

without

sinecure, sine qua non, sine die, sine prole

Latin

somn

sleep

insomnia, somniferous, somnolent, somnambulate, somniloquy

Latin

terr

land

extraterrestrial, subterranean, Mediterranean, terrain, terra firma

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

aur

gold

auriferous, auric, aureus, aurify, aurific

Latin

coron

crown

corona, coronation, coronary, coroner

Latin

flect

bend

reflect, inflection, genuflect, deflect, reflection

Latin

glott

tongue

epiglottis, polyglot, glossolalia, glottal, monoglot, glossectomy

Greek

hist

tissue

histopathology, histolysis, histology, histogenesis

Greek

lingu

tongue

bilingual, linguist, lingua franca, linguini, language

Latin

liter

letter

literature, illiterate, preliterate, literati

Latin

mens

measure

commensurate, immense, incommensurable, mensurable, dimension

Latin

mony

condition

acrimony, harmony, matrimony, ceremony, simony, parsimony

Latin

mot

move

motor, motivation, demote, emotion, motion, promote, motile, commotion

Latin

nav

ship

navy, naval, navigate, circumnavigate, unnavigable

Latin

ovi

egg

oviducts, oviparous, ovipositors, ovoviviparous, ovisac, oviform, ovary, oval

Latin

par

equal

parity, disparity, par, compare, incomparable

Latin

peri

near/around

perimeter, perihelion, perigee, periphery, periodical

Greek

phan

appearance

phantom, epiphany, diaphanous, sycophant, cellophane, theophany

Greek

phasia

speech

aphasia, dysphasia, apophasis

Greek

phen

appearance

phenomenon, phenotype, phosphenes, fancy, fantasy

Greek

pot

drink

potable, potion, potation, potatory, symposium

G/L

pter

wing

pterodactyl, helicopter, pterosaur, archaeopteryx, chiropteran

Greek

quin

five

quintet, quintillion, quintuplet, quintuple, quintessence, quindecagon

Latin

rat

think

rational, ratio, irrational, ratiocinate, rationalize

Latin

sis

condition

arteriosclerosis, osmosis, mitosis, meiosis, catharsis, symbiosis

Greek

socio

society

sociology, sociable, socialism, sociopath, dissociate

Latin

und

wave

inundate, undulate, undulatory, undulation

Latin

via

road

via, viaduct, trivia, deviate, obviate, obvious, via media

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

atmo

vapor

atmosphere, atmolysis, atmometer, atmospheric

Greek

baro

pressure

barometer, barograph, barometric, barogram, barometry

Greek

cardio

heart

cardiology, cardiovascular, cardiac, electrocardiogram

Greek

cosmo

world/universe

cosmos, cosmopolitan, cosmonaut, cosmology, microcosm

Greek

counter

against

counteract, counterproductive, counterpoint, counterinsurgency

Latin

cranio

skull

craniology, intracranial, craniotomy, cranium, dolichocranic

Greek

cyclo

circle

cyclone, cyclotron, bicycle, encyclopedia, recycle, cyclical

Greek

ferro

iron

ferronickel, ferromagnetic, ferrous, ferric, ferrite, ferroconcrete

Latin

fore

front

forehead, foreboding, forecast, forethought, foresail, forefront

Germanic

gno

know

agnostic, prognosis, gnostic, Gnosticism, diagnosis, topognosia, ignominy

G/L

ideo

idea

ideograph, ideology, ideologue, ideogram, idée fixe, idealism

Greek

ish

like

greenish, smallish, outlandish, snobbish, ghoulish, squeamish, mannish

Germanic

lepsy

attack

narcolepsy, epilepsy, catalepsy

Greek

less

without

fruitless, hopeless, motherless, bootless, pointless, hapless, feckless

Germanic

let

little

booklet, piglet, aglet, hamlet, coverlet, omelet

Latin

monger

seller

fishmonger, warmonger, costermonger, ballad monger, phrasemonger

Latin

nano

billionth

nanosecond, nanoplankton, nanosomia, nanogram

Greek

nesia

island

Micronesia, Polynesia, Melanesia, Austronesia

Greek

oss

bone

ossify, ossuary, ossicle, osseous, ossiferous, ossein, ossification

Latin

pico

trillionth

picofarad, picosecond, picogram

Celtic

quasi

somewhat

quasar, quasi-military, quasi-stellar, quasi-official, quasi-judicial

Latin

sept

seven

septangular, September, septuagenarian, septillion, Septuagint

Latin

vas

vessel

vasoconstrictor, cardiovascular, vase, vascular, vasectomy

Latin

xeno

stranger

xenophobia, xenolith, xenon, xenogenesis, xenodiagnosis

Greek

xylo

wood

xylophone, xylograph, xyloid, xylophagous, xylose, xylotomy, xylem

Greek

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

bath

deep

bathymetry, bathyscaph, bathysphere, bathos, batholith

Greek

calor

heat

calorie, calorimeter, calorific, caloric

Latin

cirr

hair

cirrus, cirrostratus, cirriped, cirrocumulus

Greek

cumu

heaped

accumulate, cumulus, cumulonimbus, cumulative

Latin

di

two

dicotyledon, dilemma, dioxide, diphthong, disyllabic, disulfide

Greek

fiss

split

fissile, fission, fissipalmate, fissiped, fissure

Latin

grav

heavy

gravity, gravid, gravimetric, gravamen, aggravate

Latin

hibern

winter

hibernate, hibernal, hibernaculum

Latin

ichthy

fish

ichthyosaur, ichthyologist, ichthyoid, ichthyosis

Greek

kilo

thousand

kilometer, kiloton, kilowatt, kilogram

Greek

meteor

high

meteorite, meteoric, meteorograph, meteorology

Greek

mont

mountain

piedmont, Montana, Montevideo, montane, cismontane

Latin

myria

many

myriad, myriapod, myriameter, myriarch, myriophyullum

Greek

nuc

center

nucleus, nucleate, nuclide, nucleon, nucleotide, nucleoplasm

Latin

oma

tumor

melanoma, carcinoma, hematoma, glaucoma

Greek

ophthal

eye

ophthalmologist, ophthalmoscope, ophthalmic, exophthalmic

Greek

protero

early

Proterozoic, proterandrous, proteranthous

Greek

pulse

drive

impulse, repulse, pulsate, impulsive

Latin

rub

red

rubric, rubious, rubicund, ruby, rubescent, rubella

Latin

sat

enough

satsify, dissatisfaction, saturate, insatiable, sate

Latin

sol

sun

solar, solstice, solarium, solarize, solar plexus

Latin

solv

loosen

resolve, dissolve, absolve, solvent, insolvency

Latin

strat

layer

stratiography, stratosphere, cirrostratus, strata, substratum, stratified

Latin

tachy

quick

tachometer, tachycardia, tachylyte, tachygraphy

Greek

ven

come

convene, convention, avenue, vent, circumvent, advent, prevent

Latin

Root

Definition

Examples

Origin

dendr

tree

dendrology, dendroid, dendrochronology, dendrite, rhododendron

Greek

digit

finger

prestidigitation, digital, digitation

Latin

foli

leaf

folio, foliolate, bifoliolate, foliation, defoliate, portfolio, folium

Latin

grade

step

gradual, grading, retrograde, downgrade, gradualism, degrading

Latin

gymno

naked

gymnasium, gymnastics, gymnosperm, gymnosophist

Greek

hemi

half

hemisphere, hemialgia, hemiplegia, hemipterous, hemicrania

Greek

ign

fire

ignite, igneous, ignis fatuus, ignition, reignite, ignescent, ignitron

Latin

lachry

tear

lachrymose, lachrymatory, lachrymal

Latin

lign

wood

lignite, lignify, ligneous, lignocellulose

Latin

lin

line

linear, delineate, lineation, lineal, rectilinear, lineage

Latin

mela

black

melanin, melanite, melancholy, Melanesia, melanoma, melanocyte

Greek

moll

soft

mollify, emollient, mollusk, mollescent

Latin

multi

many

multifarious, multitudinous, multilateral, multiped, multiply

Latin

narco

sleep

narcotic, narcolepsy, narcotine, narcotism

Greek

ob

against

obloquy, objurgation, obdurate, obsequious, oblique, obsolete, obstinate

Latin

oo

egg

oophyte, oocyte, oology, oogenesis, oogonium, oophorectomy, oospore

Greek

orb

circle

orbit, exorbitant, orbital, orbicular, orbital decay, supraorbital

Latin

oscu

mouth

osculum, osculation, osculant, osculate

Latin

plasm

form

cytoplasm, endoplasm, ectoplasm, plasma, plasmodium

Greek

pneumo

lung

pneumogastric, pneumonia, pneumonectomy, pneumobacillus

Greek

radi

ray

radiation, radian, radial, radiolarian, radiance, irradiate

Latin

vect

carry

convection, vector, invective, vectorial

Latin

vermi

worm

vermin, vermicelli, vermicide, vermivorous

Latin

vice

in place of

vice versa, vice president, vice consul, viceroy, vice-regent

Latin