Latin & Greek roots

310 roots that English builds words from, each with its meaning, the Latin or Greek word behind it, example words and a dictionary source.

Find a root

A
act, ag Making & doing

do, drive, act

[Latin agere, āctus ‘to drive, to do’]

action · agent · react · agile · transact
Wiktionary: act, ag
aer, aero Earth, sky & water

air

[Greek ἀήρ (aḗr) ‘air’]

aerobic · aerial · aerosol · aeronaut
Wiktionary: aer, aero
alg Body & health

pain

[Greek ἄλγος (álgos) ‘pain’]

nostalgia · neuralgia · analgesic
Wiktionary: alg
ali People & society

other, another

[Latin alius ‘other’]

alien · alias · alibi · alienate
Wiktionary: ali
alt Size, shape & number

high

[Latin altus ‘high’]

altitude · altimeter · exalt · alto
Wiktionary: alt
alter, altr People & society

other

[Latin alter ‘the other (of two)’]

alternate · alteration · altercation · altruism
Wiktionary: alter, altr
am, amor, amic Mind & feeling

love; friend

[Latin amāre ‘to love’, amīcus ‘friend’]

amorous · amiable · amicable · amateur
Wiktionary: am, amor, amic
ambul Movement & place

walk

[Latin ambulāre ‘to walk’]

ambulance · amble · perambulator · somnambulist
Wiktionary: ambul
andr, andro People & society

man, male

[Greek ἀνήρ, ἀνδρός (anḗr, andrós) ‘man’]

android · androgynous · philanderer · polyandry
Wiktionary: andr, andro
anim Mind & feeling

life, breath, mind

[Latin anima ‘breath, soul’, animus ‘mind’]

animal · animate · unanimous · magnanimous · animosity
Wiktionary: anim
ann, enn Time & order

year

[Latin annus ‘year’]

annual · anniversary · biennial · perennial · annuity
Wiktionary: ann, enn
anthrop, anthropo People & society

human being

[Greek ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos) ‘human being’]

anthropology · philanthropy · misanthrope · anthropoid
Wiktionary: anthrop, anthropo
apt, ept Making & doing

fit, suitable

[Latin aptus ‘fitted, suitable’]

aptitude · adapt · inept · apt
Wiktionary: apt, ept
aqu, aqua Earth, sky & water

water

[Latin aqua ‘water’]

aquarium · aquatic · aqueduct · aquifer
Wiktionary: aqu, aqua
arch, archi Law & power

chief, ruler; rule

[Greek ἀρχός (arkhós) ‘leader’, ἄρχειν (árkhein) ‘to rule, to begin’]

monarchy · anarchy · archbishop · hierarchy · architect
Wiktionary: arch, archi
astr, aster Earth, sky & water

star

[Greek ἀστήρ (astḗr), ἄστρον (ástron) ‘star’]

astronomy · asterisk · astronaut · disaster · asteroid
Wiktionary: astr, aster
aud, audit Seeing & the senses

hear

[Latin audīre ‘to hear’]

audio · audience · audible · auditorium · audition
Wiktionary: aud, audit
B
bar, baro Size, shape & number

weight, pressure

[Greek βάρος (báros) ‘weight’, βαρύς (barús) ‘heavy’]

barometer · isobar · baritone
Wiktionary: bar, baro
bell Law & power

war

[Latin bellum ‘war’]

rebel · rebellion · belligerent · bellicose · antebellum
Wiktionary: bell
bibli, biblio Speaking & writing

book

[Greek βιβλίον (biblíon) ‘book’]

bibliography · Bible · bibliophile
Wiktionary: bibli, biblio
bio Life & nature

life

[Greek βίος (bíos) ‘life’]

biology · biography · antibiotic · biodegradable · symbiosis
Wiktionary: bio
brev Size, shape & number

short

[Latin brevis ‘short’]

brevity · abbreviate · breviary
Wiktionary: brev
C
cad, cas, cid (fall) Movement & place

fall, happen

[Latin cadere, cāsus ‘to fall’]

cascade · casualty · accident · incident · decadent
Wiktionary: cad, cas, cid (fall)
calli, kal Seeing & the senses

beautiful

[Greek καλός (kalós) ‘beautiful’, κάλλος (kállos) ‘beauty’]

calligraphy · calisthenics · kaleidoscope
Wiktionary: calli, kal
cand Seeing & the senses

glow, shine, white

[Latin candēre ‘to shine, to be white’]

candle · candid · candidate · incandescent
Wiktionary: cand
cant, chant Speaking & writing

sing

[Latin canere, cantāre ‘to sing’]

chant · enchant · incantation · recant · cantata
Wiktionary: cant, chant
cap, capt, cept, cip, ceive Making & doing

take, seize, hold

[Latin capere, captus ‘to take’]

capture · capable · accept · participate · receive
Wiktionary: cap, capt, cept, cip, ceive
capit Body & health

head

[Latin caput, capitis ‘head’]

capital · decapitate · capitulate · capitol
Wiktionary: capit
cardi, cardio Body & health

heart

[Greek καρδία (kardía) ‘heart’]

cardiac · cardiology · cardiogram · cardiovascular
Wiktionary: cardi, cardio
carn Body & health

flesh, meat

[Latin carō, carnis ‘flesh’]

carnivore · carnival · carnage · incarnate
Wiktionary: carn
cav Size, shape & number

hollow

[Latin cavus ‘hollow’]

cave · cavity · cavern · excavate · concave
Wiktionary: cav
ced, cede, ceed, cess Movement & place

go, yield, give way

[Latin cēdere, cessus ‘to go, to yield’]

proceed · precede · recede · access · process
Wiktionary: ced, cede, ceed, cess
centr Size, shape & number

center

[Latin centrum ‘center’ (from Greek κέντρον, kéntron)]

central · concentrate · eccentric · egocentric
Wiktionary: centr
cephal Body & health

head

[Greek κεφαλή (kephalḗ) ‘head’]

encephalitis · cephalopod · hydrocephalus
Wiktionary: cephal
cern, cret (separate) Mind & feeling

separate, sift, decide

[Latin cernere, crētus ‘to separate, to sift, to decide’]

discern · concern · discrete · secret · excrete
Wiktionary: cern, cret (separate)
cert Mind & feeling

sure

[Latin certus ‘sure, settled’]

certain · certify · certificate · ascertain
Wiktionary: cert
chlor, chloro Life & nature

pale green

[Greek χλωρός (khlōrós) ‘pale green’]

chlorophyll · chlorine · chloroplast
Wiktionary: chlor, chloro
chrom, chromo Seeing & the senses

color

[Greek χρῶμα (khrôma) ‘color’]

chromatic · monochrome · chromosome
Wiktionary: chrom, chromo
chron, chrono Time & order

time

[Greek χρόνος (khrónos) ‘time’]

chronology · chronic · synchronize · chronicle · anachronism
Wiktionary: chron, chrono
cis, cid (cut) Making & doing

cut, kill

[Latin caedere, caesus ‘to cut, to kill’]

decide · incision · precise · concise · incisor
Wiktionary: cis, cid (cut)
civ People & society

citizen

[Latin cīvis ‘citizen’]

civil · civic · civilian · civilization
Wiktionary: civ
clam, claim Speaking & writing

cry out, shout

[Latin clāmāre ‘to cry out’]

exclaim · proclaim · clamor · exclamation · acclaim
Wiktionary: clam, claim
clar Seeing & the senses

clear

[Latin clārus ‘clear, bright’]

clarify · clarity · declare · clarion
Wiktionary: clar
clin Movement & place

lean, bend

[Latin -clīnāre ‘to lean’ (in compounds)]

incline · decline · recline
Wiktionary: clin
clud, clus, clos Making & doing

shut, close

[Latin claudere, clausus ‘to shut’ (-clūdere in compounds)]

include · exclude · conclusion · seclusion · enclose
Wiktionary: clud, clus, clos
cogn Mind & feeling

know, learn

[Latin cognōscere ‘to get to know’]

recognize · cognitive · incognito · cognizant
Wiktionary: cogn
cord, cor Body & health

heart

[Latin cor, cordis ‘heart’]

cordial · accord · discord · concord · record
Wiktionary: cord, cor
corp, corpor Body & health

body

[Latin corpus, corporis ‘body’]

corpse · corporation · corporeal · incorporate · corps
Wiktionary: corp, corpor
cosm, cosmo Earth, sky & water

world, order, adornment

[Greek κόσμος (kósmos) ‘order, world, ornament’]

cosmos · cosmic · cosmopolitan · microcosm · cosmetic
Wiktionary: cosm, cosmo
crea, creat Making & doing

make, bring forth

[Latin creāre ‘to make, to produce’]

create · creature · recreation · procreate
Wiktionary: crea, creat
cred Mind & feeling

believe, trust

[Latin crēdere ‘to believe’]

credit · credible · incredible · credentials · credulous
Wiktionary: cred
cresc, creas, cret Life & nature

grow

[Latin crēscere, crētus ‘to grow’]

crescent · increase · decrease · concrete · accretion
Wiktionary: cresc, creas, cret
crit, crin Mind & feeling

judge, separate

[Greek κρίνειν (krínein) ‘to separate, to judge’, κριτής (kritḗs) ‘judge’]

critic · criterion · hypocrite · endocrine
Wiktionary: crit, crin
cruc Size, shape & number

cross

[Latin crux, crucis ‘cross’]

crucial · crucifix · excruciating · crux
Wiktionary: cruc
crypt, crypto Mind & feeling

hidden, secret

[Greek κρυπτός (kruptós) ‘hidden’]

cryptic · cryptography · crypt · encrypt
Wiktionary: crypt, crypto
cub, cumb Movement & place

lie down

[Latin cubāre ‘to lie down’, -cumbere in compounds]

incubate · recumbent · succumb · cubicle
Wiktionary: cub, cumb
cur (care) Mind & feeling

care

[Latin cūra ‘care’]

cure · secure · curious · curator · accurate
Wiktionary: cur (care)
curr, curs, cur (run) Movement & place

run

[Latin currere, cursus ‘to run’]

current · cursor · excursion · occur · recur
Wiktionary: curr, curs, cur (run)
cycl, cyclo Size, shape & number

circle, wheel

[Greek κύκλος (kúklos) ‘circle, wheel’]

cycle · bicycle · cyclone · encyclopedia · recycle
Wiktionary: cycl, cyclo
D
dactyl Body & health

finger

[Greek δάκτυλος (dáktulos) ‘finger’]

pterodactyl · dactyl · polydactyl
Wiktionary: dactyl
dem, demo People & society

people

[Greek δῆμος (dêmos) ‘the people’]

democracy · epidemic · pandemic · demographic · demagogue
Wiktionary: dem, demo
dent Body & health

tooth

[Latin dēns, dentis ‘tooth’]

dentist · dental · indent · denture
Wiktionary: dent
derm, dermat Body & health

skin

[Greek δέρμα (dérma) ‘skin’]

dermatology · epidermis · hypodermic · pachyderm
Wiktionary: derm, dermat
dext, dextr Body & health

right hand; skillful

[Latin dexter ‘right, on the right hand’]

dexterity · dextrous · ambidextrous
Wiktionary: dext, dextr
dict, dic Speaking & writing

say, speak

[Latin dīcere, dictus ‘to say’]

dictionary · predict · contradict · verdict · dictate
Wiktionary: dict, dic
dign People & society

worthy

[Latin dignus ‘worthy’]

dignity · dignify · indignant · dignitary
Wiktionary: dign
doc, doct Mind & feeling

teach

[Latin docēre, doctus ‘to teach’]

doctor · document · docile · doctrine
Wiktionary: doc, doct
dom (house) People & society

house, home

[Latin domus ‘house’]

domestic · domicile · dome
Wiktionary: dom (house)
domin Law & power

lord, master; rule

[Latin dominus ‘lord, master’]

dominate · dominion · domain · predominant
Wiktionary: domin
dorm Body & health

sleep

[Latin dormīre ‘to sleep’]

dormant · dormitory · dormer
Wiktionary: dorm
dox Mind & feeling

opinion, belief; praise

[Greek δόξα (dóxa) ‘opinion, glory’]

paradox · orthodox · doxology · heterodox
Wiktionary: dox
duc, duct Movement & place

lead

[Latin dūcere, ductus ‘to lead’]

conduct · produce · educate · deduct · aqueduct
Wiktionary: duc, duct
dur Time & order

hard; lasting

[Latin dūrus ‘hard’, dūrāre ‘to last’]

durable · duration · endure · duress
Wiktionary: dur
dyn, dynam Law & power

power

[Greek δύναμις (dúnamis) ‘power’]

dynamic · dynamite · dynasty · dynamo
Wiktionary: dyn, dynam
E
eco Earth, sky & water

house, household; environment

[Greek οἶκος (oîkos) ‘house’]

ecology · economy · ecosystem · ecumenical
Wiktionary: eco
electr, electro Earth, sky & water

amber; electricity

[Greek ἤλεκτρον (ḗlektron) ‘amber’]

electric · electron · electrolyte · electrode
Wiktionary: electr, electro
equ, equi Size, shape & number

equal, even

[Latin aequus ‘level, equal’]

equal · equator · equation · adequate · equivalent
Wiktionary: equ, equi
erg, urg Making & doing

work

[Greek ἔργον (érgon) ‘work’]

energy · ergonomic · allergy · synergy · metallurgy
Wiktionary: erg, urg
err Movement & place

wander, stray

[Latin errāre ‘to wander, to go astray’]

error · erratic · errant · aberration
Wiktionary: err
F
fac, fact, fect, fic Making & doing

make, do

[Latin facere, factus ‘to make, to do’]

factory · manufacture · effect · sufficient · artificial
Wiktionary: fac, fact, fect, fic
fall, fals Mind & feeling

deceive; false

[Latin fallere, falsus ‘to deceive’]

false · fallacy · fallible · infallible
Wiktionary: fall, fals
fend, fens Law & power

strike, ward off

[Latin -fendere ‘to strike’ (in dēfendere, offendere)]

defend · offend · defense · offensive
Wiktionary: fend, fens
fer Movement & place

carry, bring, bear

[Latin ferre ‘to carry’]

transfer · refer · infer · offer · fertile
Wiktionary: fer
ferv Seeing & the senses

boil, glow

[Latin fervēre ‘to boil’]

fervent · fervor · effervescent
Wiktionary: ferv
fid Mind & feeling

faith, trust

[Latin fīdere ‘to trust’, fidēs ‘faith’]

confide · fidelity · confident · infidel · fiduciary
Wiktionary: fid
fin Time & order

end, limit

[Latin fīnis ‘end, boundary’]

final · finish · infinite · define · confine
Wiktionary: fin
flect, flex Movement & place

bend

[Latin flectere, flexus ‘to bend’]

reflect · flexible · deflect · inflection · reflex
Wiktionary: flect, flex
flor, flour Life & nature

flower

[Latin flōs, flōris ‘flower’]

floral · florist · flourish · flora
Wiktionary: flor, flour
flu, flux Movement & place

flow

[Latin fluere, flūxus ‘to flow’]

fluid · fluent · influence · affluent · superfluous
Wiktionary: flu, flux
foli Life & nature

leaf

[Latin folium ‘leaf’]

foliage · portfolio · defoliate · folio
Wiktionary: foli
form Size, shape & number

shape

[Latin fōrma ‘shape, form’]

transform · formula · uniform · reform · formation
Wiktionary: form
fort Law & power

strong

[Latin fortis ‘strong’]

fortify · fortress · comfort · effort · fortitude
Wiktionary: fort
fract, frag Making & doing

break

[Latin frangere, frāctus ‘to break’]

fracture · fraction · fragile · fragment · refract
Wiktionary: fract, frag
frater, fratr People & society

brother

[Latin frāter ‘brother’]

fraternal · fraternity · fraternize · fratricide
Wiktionary: frater, fratr
fug Movement & place

flee

[Latin fugere ‘to flee’]

fugitive · refuge · refugee · centrifugal · subterfuge
Wiktionary: fug
fus, fund Making & doing

pour, melt

[Latin fundere, fūsus ‘to pour’]

fusion · confuse · transfusion · infuse · profuse
Wiktionary: fus, fund
G
gam People & society

marriage

[Greek γάμος (gámos) ‘marriage’]

monogamy · bigamy · polygamy
Wiktionary: gam
gastr, gastro Body & health

stomach

[Greek γαστήρ, γαστρός (gastḗr, gastrós) ‘belly’]

gastric · gastronomy · gastropod
Wiktionary: gastr, gastro
gen Life & nature

birth, origin, kind

[Latin genus, Greek γένος (génos) ‘birth, race, kind’]

generate · genetic · gender · genre · generous
Wiktionary: gen
geo Earth, sky & water

earth

[Greek γῆ (gê) ‘earth’]

geography · geology · geometry · geothermal
Wiktionary: geo
gest Movement & place

carry, bear

[Latin gerere, gestus ‘to carry, to bear’]

gesture · digest · suggest · congestion · gestation
Wiktionary: gest
gloss, glot Speaking & writing

tongue, language

[Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα (glôssa, glôtta) ‘tongue’]

glossary · polyglot · epiglottis · glottal
Wiktionary: gloss, glot
gnos, gno Mind & feeling

know

[Greek γνῶσις (gnôsis) ‘knowledge’, γιγνώσκειν (gignṓskein) ‘to know’]

diagnosis · agnostic · prognosis · diagnose
Wiktionary: gnos, gno
gon Size, shape & number

angle, corner

[Greek γωνία (gōnía) ‘angle’]

polygon · hexagon · pentagon · diagonal
Wiktionary: gon
grad, gress Movement & place

step, go

[Latin gradus ‘step’, gradī, gressus ‘to walk’]

gradual · graduate · progress · aggressive · digress
Wiktionary: grad, gress
gram Speaking & writing

something written; letter

[Greek γράμμα (grámma) ‘letter, something written’]

grammar · telegram · diagram · anagram · program
Wiktionary: gram
graph Speaking & writing

write, draw, record

[Greek γράφειν (gráphein) ‘to write, to draw’]

photograph · graphic · autograph · paragraph · biography
Wiktionary: graph
grat Mind & feeling

pleasing, thankful

[Latin grātus ‘pleasing, thankful’]

gratitude · grateful · congratulate · gratis · gratuity
Wiktionary: grat
grav Size, shape & number

heavy

[Latin gravis ‘heavy’]

gravity · gravitas · aggravate · gravitate
Wiktionary: grav
greg People & society

flock, herd, group

[Latin grex, gregis ‘flock’]

gregarious · congregate · segregate · aggregate · egregious
Wiktionary: greg
gyn, gyne, gynec People & society

woman

[Greek γυνή, γυναικός (gunḗ, gunaikós) ‘woman’]

gynecology · misogyny · androgynous
Wiktionary: gyn, gyne, gynec
H
hab, hib Making & doing

have, hold

[Latin habēre ‘to have, to hold’]

habit · inhabit · exhibit · prohibit · inhibit
Wiktionary: hab, hib
heli, helio Earth, sky & water

sun

[Greek ἥλιος (hḗlios) ‘sun’]

helium · heliocentric · perihelion · heliotrope
Wiktionary: heli, helio
hem, hemat, haem Body & health

blood

[Greek αἷμα, αἵματος (haîma, haímatos) ‘blood’]

hemoglobin · hematology · hemorrhage · anemia
Wiktionary: hem, hemat, haem
hered, herit People & society

heir

[Latin hērēs, hērēdis ‘heir’]

heredity · heritage · inherit · hereditary
Wiktionary: hered, herit
her, hes Making & doing

stick, cling

[Latin haerēre, haesus ‘to stick’]

adhere · cohere · adhesive · cohesion · inherent
Wiktionary: her, hes
hosp, host People & society

guest, host

[Latin hospes, hospitis ‘host, guest’]

hospital · hospitality · hospice · hostel · host
Wiktionary: hosp, host
hum Earth, sky & water

earth, ground

[Latin humus ‘earth, ground’]

humble · humility · exhume · humus
Wiktionary: hum
hydr, hydro Earth, sky & water

water

[Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr) ‘water’]

hydrant · hydrate · dehydrate · hydrogen · hydroelectric
Wiktionary: hydr, hydro
I
iatr Body & health

healing, medical treatment

[Greek ἰατρός (iatrós) ‘healer, doctor’]

pediatrician · psychiatry · geriatric · podiatry
Wiktionary: iatr
idio People & society

one's own, personal

[Greek ἴδιος (ídios) ‘one's own’]

idiom · idiot · idiosyncrasy
Wiktionary: idio
ign Earth, sky & water

fire

[Latin ignis ‘fire’]

ignite · ignition · igneous
Wiktionary: ign
iso Size, shape & number

equal

[Greek ἴσος (ísos) ‘equal’]

isotope · isosceles · isometric · isobar
Wiktionary: iso
J
ject Movement & place

throw

[Latin iacere, iactus ‘to throw’ (-icere, -iectus in compounds)]

reject · project · inject · object · eject
Wiktionary: ject
joc Speaking & writing

joke, jest

[Latin iocus ‘jest, joke’]

jocular · jocose · joke
Wiktionary: joc
jud, judic Law & power

judge

[Latin iūdex, iūdicis ‘judge’]

judge · judicial · prejudice · judiciary
Wiktionary: jud, judic
junct, join Making & doing

join

[Latin iungere, iūnctus ‘to join’]

junction · conjunction · adjunct · juncture · adjoin
Wiktionary: junct, join
jur, jus Law & power

law, right

[Latin iūs, iūris ‘law, right’]

jury · justice · injury · jurisdiction
Wiktionary: jur, jus
juven Time & order

young

[Latin iuvenis ‘young’]

juvenile · rejuvenate · juvenescence
Wiktionary: juven
K
kine, kinet, cine Movement & place

movement

[Greek κίνησις (kínēsis) ‘movement’, κινεῖν (kineîn) ‘to move’]

kinetic · cinema · kinesiology · telekinesis
Wiktionary: kine, kinet, cine
L
labor Making & doing

work

[Latin labor ‘work, toil’]

laboratory · elaborate · collaborate · laborious
Wiktionary: labor
laps Movement & place

slip, fall

[Latin lābī, lāpsus ‘to slip’]

lapse · collapse · elapse · relapse
Wiktionary: laps
lat (carried) Movement & place

carried, brought

[Latin lātus, past participle of ferre ‘to carry’]

translate · relate · collate · legislate
Wiktionary: lat (carried)
later Size, shape & number

side

[Latin latus, lateris ‘side’]

lateral · bilateral · unilateral · collateral
Wiktionary: later
leg (law) Law & power

law

[Latin lēx, lēgis ‘law’]

legal · legislate · legitimate · privilege · illegal
Wiktionary: leg (law)
leg, lect, lig (read, choose) Speaking & writing

read; choose, gather

[Latin legere, lēctus ‘to gather, to choose, to read’]

lecture · legible · elect · select · collect
Wiktionary: leg, lect, lig (read, choose)
lev, liev Movement & place

light; lift

[Latin levis ‘light’, levāre ‘to lift’]

levitate · elevate · lever · relieve · alleviate
Wiktionary: lev, liev
lex, lexic Speaking & writing

word, speech

[Greek λέξις (léxis) ‘word, speech’]

lexicon · dyslexia · lexical
Wiktionary: lex, lexic
liber Law & power

free

[Latin līber ‘free’]

liberty · liberal · liberate · libertine
Wiktionary: liber
lig (bind) Making & doing

bind, tie

[Latin ligāre ‘to bind’]

ligament · ligature · oblige · obligation
Wiktionary: lig (bind)
lingu Speaking & writing

tongue, language

[Latin lingua ‘tongue, language’]

linguistics · bilingual · multilingual · linguist
Wiktionary: lingu
liter, litera Speaking & writing

letter

[Latin littera ‘letter’]

literature · literal · literacy · obliterate
Wiktionary: liter, litera
lith, litho Earth, sky & water

stone

[Greek λίθος (líthos) ‘stone’]

monolith · lithograph · megalith · Neolithic
Wiktionary: lith, litho
loc Movement & place

place

[Latin locus ‘place’]

local · locate · location · dislocate · allocate
Wiktionary: loc
log, logue Speaking & writing

word, reason, speech

[Greek λόγος (lógos) ‘word, reason, speech’]

logic · dialogue · prologue · apology · catalog
Wiktionary: log, logue
loqu, locut Speaking & writing

speak

[Latin loquī, locūtus ‘to speak’]

eloquent · loquacious · soliloquy · colloquial · elocution
Wiktionary: loqu, locut
luc, lum, lumin Seeing & the senses

light

[Latin lūx, lūcis ‘light’, lūmen ‘light’]

lucid · translucent · elucidate · illuminate · luminous
Wiktionary: luc, lum, lumin
lud, lus Making & doing

play

[Latin lūdere, lūsus ‘to play’]

ludicrous · prelude · interlude · allude · illusion
Wiktionary: lud, lus
lun Earth, sky & water

moon

[Latin lūna ‘moon’]

lunar · lunatic · lunation
Wiktionary: lun
lys, lyt, lyz Making & doing

loosen, break down

[Greek λύσις (lúsis) ‘a loosening’, λύειν (lúein) ‘to loosen’]

analysis · paralysis · electrolyte · catalyst · analyze
Wiktionary: lys, lyt, lyz
M
magn Size, shape & number

great

[Latin magnus ‘great’]

magnify · magnificent · magnitude · magnate · magnanimous
Wiktionary: magn
mand, mend Law & power

order, entrust

[Latin mandāre ‘to entrust, to order’]

command · demand · mandate · mandatory · recommend
Wiktionary: mand, mend
man, manu Body & health

hand

[Latin manus ‘hand’]

manual · manuscript · manufacture · manicure · manipulate
Wiktionary: man, manu
mar Earth, sky & water

sea

[Latin mare ‘sea’]

marine · maritime · submarine · mariner · aquamarine
Wiktionary: mar
mater, matr People & society

mother

[Latin māter ‘mother’]

maternal · maternity · matriarch · matrimony
Wiktionary: mater, matr
medi Size, shape & number

middle

[Latin medius ‘middle’]

medium · median · mediate · intermediate · medieval
Wiktionary: medi
medic, med Body & health

heal

[Latin medērī ‘to heal’, medicus ‘doctor’]

medical · medicine · medicate · remedy
Wiktionary: medic, med
mem, memor Mind & feeling

remember, mindful

[Latin memor ‘mindful’, memoria ‘memory’]

memory · memorial · memorize · commemorate · remember
Wiktionary: mem, memor
ment Mind & feeling

mind

[Latin mēns, mentis ‘mind’]

mental · mentality · demented · mention
Wiktionary: ment
merg, mers Movement & place

dip, plunge

[Latin mergere, mersus ‘to dip’]

merge · emerge · submerge · immerse · emergency
Wiktionary: merg, mers
metr, meter, metre Size, shape & number

measure

[Greek μέτρον (métron) ‘measure’]

thermometer · geometry · metric · perimeter · symmetry
Wiktionary: metr, meter, metre
migr Movement & place

move, wander

[Latin migrāre ‘to move, to change home’]

migrate · immigrant · emigrate · migration
Wiktionary: migr
min Size, shape & number

small, less

[Latin minor ‘smaller’, minuere ‘to lessen’]

minimum · minor · minute · diminish · minimal
Wiktionary: min
mir Seeing & the senses

wonder at

[Latin mīrārī ‘to wonder at’]

admire · miracle · mirror · mirage
Wiktionary: mir
mit, miss, mis Movement & place

send, let go

[Latin mittere, missus ‘to send’]

transmit · mission · dismiss · emit · submit
Wiktionary: mit, miss, mis
mob, mot, mov Movement & place

move

[Latin movēre, mōtus ‘to move’]

mobile · motion · motor · remove · promote
Wiktionary: mob, mot, mov
mon, monit Mind & feeling

warn, remind

[Latin monēre ‘to remind, to warn’]

monitor · monument · admonish · premonition
Wiktionary: mon, monit
morph, morpho Size, shape & number

shape, form

[Greek μορφή (morphḗ) ‘shape’]

metamorphosis · amorphous · morphology · polymorph
Wiktionary: morph, morpho
mort Life & nature

death

[Latin mors, mortis ‘death’]

mortal · immortal · mortician · mortgage · mortify
Wiktionary: mort
mut Making & doing

change

[Latin mūtāre ‘to change’]

mutate · mutation · commute · transmute · immutable
Wiktionary: mut
N
nat, nasc Life & nature

born

[Latin nāscī, nātus ‘to be born’]

native · nation · natal · nature · innate
Wiktionary: nat, nasc
naut Earth, sky & water

sailor, ship

[Greek ναύτης (naútēs) ‘sailor’, ναῦς (naûs) ‘ship’]

astronaut · nautical · aeronaut · argonaut
Wiktionary: naut
nav Earth, sky & water

ship

[Latin nāvis ‘ship’]

navy · navigate · naval · navigator
Wiktionary: nav
necr, necro Life & nature

dead, death

[Greek νεκρός (nekrós) ‘dead body’]

necropolis · necrosis · necrology
Wiktionary: necr, necro
neg Speaking & writing

deny, say no

[Latin negāre ‘to deny’]

negative · negate · renegade · abnegate
Wiktionary: neg
neur, neuro Body & health

nerve

[Greek νεῦρον (neûron) ‘sinew, nerve’]

neuron · neurology · neurotic · neuralgia
Wiktionary: neur, neuro
nihil Size, shape & number

nothing

[Latin nihil ‘nothing’]

annihilate · nihilism · nihilist
Wiktionary: nihil
noc, nox Law & power

harm

[Latin nocēre ‘to harm’]

innocent · noxious · obnoxious · innocuous
Wiktionary: noc, nox
noct, nox Time & order

night

[Latin nox, noctis ‘night’]

nocturnal · nocturne · equinox
Wiktionary: noct, nox
nomin, nomen Speaking & writing

name

[Latin nōmen, nōminis ‘name’]

nominate · nominal · denomination · nomenclature
Wiktionary: nomin, nomen
nom, nomy Law & power

law, custom; managing

[Greek νόμος (nómos) ‘law, custom’]

economy · astronomy · autonomy · taxonomy
Wiktionary: nom, nomy
nounc, nunci Speaking & writing

announce, report

[Latin nūntiāre ‘to announce’]

announce · pronounce · denounce · renounce · enunciate
Wiktionary: nounc, nunci
nov Time & order

new

[Latin novus ‘new’]

novel · novice · innovate · renovate · nova
Wiktionary: nov
numer Size, shape & number

number

[Latin numerus ‘number’]

numeral · numerous · enumerate · innumerable · numerical
Wiktionary: numer
O
ocul Body & health

eye

[Latin oculus ‘eye’]

binoculars · ocular · oculist · inoculate
Wiktionary: ocul
odont, dont Body & health

tooth

[Greek ὀδούς, ὀδόντος (odoús, odóntos) ‘tooth’]

orthodontist · periodontal · mastodon
Wiktionary: odont, dont
onym, onom, nym Speaking & writing

name

[Greek ὄνομα, ὄνυμα (ónoma, ónuma) ‘name’]

synonym · antonym · anonymous · pseudonym · homonym
Wiktionary: onym, onom, nym
oper Making & doing

work

[Latin opus, operis ‘work’, operārī ‘to work’]

operate · cooperate · opera · operation
Wiktionary: oper
opt, ops Seeing & the senses

eye, sight

[Greek ὀπτικός (optikós) ‘of sight’, ὄψις (ópsis) ‘sight’]

optic · optician · synopsis · autopsy
Wiktionary: opt, ops
ortho, orth Size, shape & number

straight, correct

[Greek ὀρθός (orthós) ‘straight, right’]

orthodontist · orthodox · orthography · orthopedic
Wiktionary: ortho, orth
oste, osteo Body & health

bone

[Greek ὀστέον (ostéon) ‘bone’]

osteoporosis · osteopath · osteoarthritis
Wiktionary: oste, osteo
P
pac Law & power

peace

[Latin pāx, pācis ‘peace’]

pacify · pacifist · Pacific
Wiktionary: pac
paleo, palaeo Time & order

old, ancient

[Greek παλαιός (palaiós) ‘old, ancient’]

paleontology · Paleolithic · paleography
Wiktionary: paleo, palaeo
part, pars Size, shape & number

part

[Latin pars, partis ‘part’]

particle · partial · partition · depart · participate
Wiktionary: part, pars
pater, patr People & society

father

[Latin pater, Greek πατήρ (patḗr) ‘father’]

paternal · patriot · patron · patriarch · paternity
Wiktionary: pater, patr
path, pathy Mind & feeling

feeling, suffering; disease

[Greek πάθος (páthos) ‘suffering, feeling’]

sympathy · empathy · apathy · pathology · telepathy
Wiktionary: path, pathy
pat, pass Mind & feeling

feel, suffer, endure

[Latin patī, passus ‘to suffer, to endure’]

patient · passion · passive · compassion · compatible
Wiktionary: pat, pass
ped (foot) Body & health

foot

[Latin pēs, pedis ‘foot’]

pedal · pedestrian · pedicure · centipede · pedometer
Wiktionary: ped (foot)
ped, paed (child) People & society

child; education

[Greek παῖς, παιδός (paîs, paidós) ‘child’]

pediatrician · encyclopedia · pedagogy
Wiktionary: ped, paed (child)
pel, puls Movement & place

drive, push

[Latin pellere, pulsus ‘to push, to drive’]

propel · repel · expel · compel · impulse
Wiktionary: pel, puls
pend, pens Size, shape & number

hang; weigh, pay

[Latin pendēre ‘to hang’, pendere, pēnsus ‘to weigh, to pay’]

pendant · pendulum · suspend · depend · expense
Wiktionary: pend, pens
pet, peat, petit Movement & place

seek, strive, attack

[Latin petere ‘to seek, to aim at’]

compete · petition · appetite · repeat · impetus
Wiktionary: pet, peat, petit
petr, petro Earth, sky & water

rock, stone

[Greek πέτρα (pétra) ‘rock’, through Latin]

petrify · petroleum · petroglyph
Wiktionary: petr, petro
phan, phen, phas Seeing & the senses

show, appear

[Greek φαίνειν (phaínein) ‘to show’]

phenomenon · phantom · emphasis · diaphanous
Wiktionary: phan, phen, phas
phil, philo, phile Mind & feeling

love, fondness

[Greek φίλος (phílos) ‘dear, loving’]

philosophy · philanthropy · bibliophile · philharmonic
Wiktionary: phil, philo, phile
phon, phono Seeing & the senses

sound, voice

[Greek φωνή (phōnḗ) ‘sound, voice’]

telephone · symphony · phonics · microphone · homophone
Wiktionary: phon, phono
phot, photo Seeing & the senses

light

[Greek φῶς, φωτός (phôs, phōtós) ‘light’]

photograph · photosynthesis · photon · photogenic
Wiktionary: phot, photo
phys, physi, physio Life & nature

nature

[Greek φύσις (phúsis) ‘nature’]

physics · physical · physiology · physician
Wiktionary: phys, physi, physio
pict Seeing & the senses

paint

[Latin pingere, pictus ‘to paint’]

picture · depict · pictorial · picturesque
Wiktionary: pict
plac Mind & feeling

please, calm

[Latin placēre ‘to please’, plācāre ‘to calm’]

placate · placebo · placid · complacent
Wiktionary: plac
plaud, plaus, plod, plos Seeing & the senses

clap

[Latin plaudere, plausus ‘to clap’]

applaud · applause · plausible · explode · explosion
Wiktionary: plaud, plaus, plod, plos
plen, plet Size, shape & number

fill, full

[Latin plēnus ‘full’, -plēre ‘to fill’]

complete · deplete · plenty · replenish · plenary
Wiktionary: plen, plet
plic, plex, ply Making & doing

fold

[Latin plicāre ‘to fold’, -plex ‘-fold’]

complicate · duplicate · explicit · complex · apply
Wiktionary: plic, plex, ply
pod, pus (foot) Body & health

foot

[Greek πούς, ποδός (poús, podós) ‘foot’]

tripod · podium · arthropod · octopus · podiatry
Wiktionary: pod, pus (foot)
polis, polit, polic People & society

city, citizen; state

[Greek πόλις (pólis) ‘city’, πολίτης (polítēs) ‘citizen’]

politics · police · metropolis · cosmopolitan · acropolis
Wiktionary: polis, polit, polic
pon, pos, posit Making & doing

put, place

[Latin pōnere, positus ‘to put, to place’]

position · deposit · component · opponent · composite
Wiktionary: pon, pos, posit
pop, popul, publ People & society

people

[Latin populus ‘people’, pūblicus ‘of the people’]

popular · population · public · publish · republic
Wiktionary: pop, popul, publ
port Movement & place

carry

[Latin portāre ‘to carry’]

transport · portable · export · import · report
Wiktionary: port
press Making & doing

press, squeeze

[Latin premere, pressus ‘to press’]

pressure · express · impress · depress · compress
Wiktionary: press
prim, prin Time & order

first

[Latin prīmus ‘first’]

primary · primitive · prime · primate · principal
Wiktionary: prim, prin
psych, psycho Mind & feeling

mind, soul

[Greek ψυχή (psukhḗ) ‘breath, soul, mind’]

psychology · psyche · psychic · psychiatrist
Wiktionary: psych, psycho
pter, ptero Life & nature

wing

[Greek πτερόν (pterón) ‘wing, feather’]

pterodactyl · helicopter · pterosaur
Wiktionary: pter, ptero
punct Seeing & the senses

point, prick

[Latin pungere, pūnctus ‘to prick’]

punctuation · puncture · punctual · compunction · pungent
Wiktionary: punct
pyr, pyro Earth, sky & water

fire

[Greek πῦρ (pûr) ‘fire’]

pyre · pyrotechnics · pyromaniac · pyrite
Wiktionary: pyr, pyro
Q
quer, quest, quir, quis Speaking & writing

ask, seek

[Latin quaerere, quaesītus ‘to seek, to ask’]

question · query · inquire · request · require
Wiktionary: quer, quest, quir, quis
R
rect Size, shape & number

straight, right

[Latin rēctus ‘straight, right’, from regere]

rectangle · correct · direct · erect · rectify
Wiktionary: rect
reg Law & power

rule; king

[Latin regere ‘to rule’, rēx, rēgis ‘king’]

regal · regent · regime · regulate · region
Wiktionary: reg
rhin, rhino Body & health

nose

[Greek ῥίς, ῥινός (rhís, rhinós) ‘nose’]

rhinoceros · rhinoplasty · rhinitis
Wiktionary: rhin, rhino
rid, ris Mind & feeling

laugh

[Latin rīdēre, rīsus ‘to laugh’]

ridiculous · deride · derision · risible
Wiktionary: rid, ris
rog Speaking & writing

ask

[Latin rogāre ‘to ask’]

interrogate · prerogative · derogatory · abrogate · arrogant
Wiktionary: rog
rupt Making & doing

break, burst

[Latin rumpere, ruptus ‘to break’]

erupt · rupture · interrupt · bankrupt · disrupt
Wiktionary: rupt
S
sacr, secr People & society

holy, sacred

[Latin sacer, sacrī ‘holy’]

sacred · sacrifice · sacrament · consecrate · desecrate
Wiktionary: sacr, secr
sal, sil, sult Movement & place

leap, jump

[Latin salīre ‘to leap’, -silīre and -sultāre in compounds]

salient · resilient · insult · result · assault
Wiktionary: sal, sil, sult
sanct People & society

holy

[Latin sānctus ‘holy’, sancīre ‘to make sacred’]

sanctuary · sanctify · sanction · sanctity
Wiktionary: sanct
sat Size, shape & number

enough

[Latin satis ‘enough’]

satisfy · saturate · satiate · insatiable
Wiktionary: sat
scend, scens Movement & place

climb

[Latin scandere ‘to climb’ (-scendere in compounds)]

ascend · descend · transcend · condescend · ascension
Wiktionary: scend, scens
sci Mind & feeling

know

[Latin scīre ‘to know’]

science · conscious · omniscient · conscience
Wiktionary: sci
scop, scope Seeing & the senses

look at, examine

[Greek σκοπεῖν (skopeîn) ‘to look at’]

telescope · microscope · periscope · horoscope · stethoscope
Wiktionary: scop, scope
scrib, script Speaking & writing

write

[Latin scrībere, scrīptus ‘to write’]

describe · scribble · manuscript · prescription · subscribe
Wiktionary: scrib, script
sect, seg Making & doing

cut

[Latin secāre, sectus ‘to cut’]

section · dissect · intersect · insect · segment
Wiktionary: sect, seg
sed, sid, sess Movement & place

sit, settle

[Latin sedēre, sessus ‘to sit’ (-sidēre in compounds)]

sedentary · preside · president · session · reside
Wiktionary: sed, sid, sess
sen Time & order

old

[Latin senex, senis ‘old man’]

senior · senile · senate · senator
Wiktionary: sen
sens, sent Seeing & the senses

feel, perceive

[Latin sentīre, sēnsus ‘to feel’]

sensation · sensitive · sentiment · consent · resent
Wiktionary: sens, sent
sequ, secut Time & order

follow

[Latin sequī, secūtus ‘to follow’]

sequence · consequence · sequel · consecutive · persecute
Wiktionary: sequ, secut
serv (keep) Making & doing

keep, save, watch

[Latin servāre ‘to keep, to save’]

conserve · preserve · reserve · observe · reservoir
Wiktionary: serv (keep)
serv (serve) People & society

serve, be a servant

[Latin servīre ‘to serve’, servus ‘slave, servant’]

servant · service · servile · subservient
Wiktionary: serv (serve)
sign Speaking & writing

mark, sign

[Latin signum ‘mark, sign’]

signal · signature · design · significant · insignia
Wiktionary: sign
simil, simul, sembl Size, shape & number

like, alike; together

[Latin similis ‘like’, simul ‘at the same time’]

similar · simile · simulate · simultaneous · resemble
Wiktionary: simil, simul, sembl
sist Movement & place

stand, set, stop

[Latin sistere ‘to stand, to set’]

assist · consist · insist · persist · resist
Wiktionary: sist
sol (alone) People & society

alone, only

[Latin sōlus ‘alone’]

solo · solitary · solitude · desolate · soliloquy
Wiktionary: sol (alone)
sol (sun) Earth, sky & water

sun

[Latin sōl ‘sun’]

solar · solstice · parasol · solarium
Wiktionary: sol (sun)
solv, solu Making & doing

loosen, free

[Latin solvere, solūtus ‘to loosen’]

solve · solution · dissolve · absolute · resolve
Wiktionary: solv, solu
somn Body & health

sleep

[Latin somnus ‘sleep’]

insomnia · somnambulist · somnolent
Wiktionary: somn
son Seeing & the senses

sound

[Latin sonus ‘sound’, sonāre ‘to sound’]

sonic · resonate · unison · consonant · supersonic
Wiktionary: son
soph, sophy Mind & feeling

wise, wisdom

[Greek σοφός (sophós) ‘wise’, σοφία (sophía) ‘wisdom’]

philosophy · sophisticated · sophist · theosophy
Wiktionary: soph, sophy
spec, spect, spic Seeing & the senses

look, see

[Latin specere, spectus ‘to look at’]

spectator · inspect · respect · spectacle · suspicious
Wiktionary: spec, spect, spic
spher, sphere Size, shape & number

ball, globe

[Greek σφαῖρα (sphaîra) ‘ball’]

hemisphere · atmosphere · spherical · stratosphere
Wiktionary: spher, sphere
spir Body & health

breathe

[Latin spīrāre ‘to breathe’]

inspire · respiration · expire · conspire · spirit
Wiktionary: spir
sta, stat Movement & place

stand, be still

[Latin stāre, status ‘to stand’]

stable · statue · status · station · stationary
Wiktionary: sta, stat
stell Earth, sky & water

star

[Latin stella ‘star’]

stellar · constellation · interstellar
Wiktionary: stell
stit, stitu Making & doing

set up, establish

[Latin statuere ‘to set up’ (-stituere in compounds)]

constitute · institute · substitute · destitute
Wiktionary: stit, stitu
string, strict Making & doing

draw tight, bind

[Latin stringere, strictus ‘to draw tight’]

strict · restrict · constrict · stringent · district
Wiktionary: string, strict
struct, stru Making & doing

build

[Latin struere, strūctus ‘to build, to pile up’]

structure · construct · instruct · obstruct · destroy
Wiktionary: struct, stru
sum, sumpt Making & doing

take

[Latin sūmere, sūmptus ‘to take’]

assume · consume · presume · resume · consumption
Wiktionary: sum, sumpt
surg, surrect Movement & place

rise

[Latin surgere, surrēctus ‘to rise’]

surge · resurrection · insurgent · resurgent
Wiktionary: surg, surrect
T
tact, tang, ting Seeing & the senses

touch

[Latin tangere, tāctus ‘to touch’]

contact · tactile · tangible · intact · contingent
Wiktionary: tact, tang, ting
tax, tact (arrange) Making & doing

arrange, put in order

[Greek τάξις (táxis) ‘arrangement’, τάσσω (tássō) ‘to arrange’]

syntax · taxonomy · tactics · taxidermy
Wiktionary: tax, tact (arrange)
techn, techno Making & doing

art, skill, craft

[Greek τέχνη (tékhnē) ‘art, skill’]

technology · technique · technical · polytechnic
Wiktionary: techn, techno
temp, tempor Time & order

time

[Latin tempus, temporis ‘time’]

temporary · contemporary · tempo · temporal · extempore
Wiktionary: temp, tempor
tend, tens, tent Movement & place

stretch, strive

[Latin tendere, tentus, tēnsus ‘to stretch’]

extend · tension · intend · attention · pretend
Wiktionary: tend, tens, tent
ten, tain, tin Making & doing

hold, keep

[Latin tenēre ‘to hold’ (-tinēre in compounds)]

tenant · tenacious · contain · retain · obtain
Wiktionary: ten, tain, tin
term Time & order

end, boundary

[Latin terminus ‘boundary, end’]

terminal · terminate · determine · exterminate
Wiktionary: term
terr, terra Earth, sky & water

earth, land

[Latin terra ‘earth, land’]

territory · terrain · terrestrial · subterranean · terrace
Wiktionary: terr, terra
test Law & power

witness

[Latin testis ‘witness’]

testify · testimony · protest · contest · attest
Wiktionary: test
text Making & doing

weave

[Latin texere, textus ‘to weave’]

textile · texture · context · pretext
Wiktionary: text
theo, the People & society

god

[Greek θεός (theós) ‘god’]

theology · atheist · monotheism · enthusiasm
Wiktionary: theo, the
therm, thermo Earth, sky & water

heat

[Greek θέρμη (thérmē) ‘heat’, θερμός (thermós) ‘hot’]

thermometer · thermal · thermostat · hypothermia
Wiktionary: therm, thermo
thes, thet Making & doing

put, place

[Greek θέσις (thésis) ‘a placing’, τιθέναι (tithénai) ‘to put’]

hypothesis · synthesis · antithesis · thesis · synthetic
Wiktionary: thes, thet
tom, tome Making & doing

cut

[Greek τομή (tomḗ) ‘a cutting’, τέμνειν (témnein) ‘to cut’]

atom · anatomy · appendectomy · dichotomy
Wiktionary: tom, tome
top, topo Movement & place

place

[Greek τόπος (tópos) ‘place’]

topic · topography · utopia · isotope
Wiktionary: top, topo
tort Movement & place

twist

[Latin torquēre, tortus ‘to twist’]

distort · torture · contort · retort · extort
Wiktionary: tort
tox, toxic Body & health

poison

[Greek τοξικόν (toxikón) ‘poison for arrows’]

toxic · toxin · intoxicate · detox
Wiktionary: tox, toxic
tract Movement & place

pull, draw

[Latin trahere, trāctus ‘to pull’]

tractor · attract · distract · subtract · extract
Wiktionary: tract
trib Making & doing

give, pay, assign

[Latin tribuere ‘to assign, to grant’]

contribute · distribute · tribute · attribute · tributary
Wiktionary: trib
trud, trus Movement & place

push, thrust

[Latin trūdere, trūsus ‘to push’]

intrude · protrude · intrusive · extrude · abstruse
Wiktionary: trud, trus
turb Movement & place

stir up, disturb

[Latin turba ‘crowd, commotion’, turbāre ‘to disturb’]

disturb · turbulent · turbine · perturb
Wiktionary: turb
U
umbr Seeing & the senses

shade, shadow

[Latin umbra ‘shade’]

umbrella · penumbra · adumbrate · umbrage
Wiktionary: umbr
und Earth, sky & water

wave, flow

[Latin unda ‘wave’]

undulate · inundate · abundant · redundant
Wiktionary: und
urb People & society

city

[Latin urbs, urbis ‘city’]

urban · suburb · urbane · conurbation
Wiktionary: urb
V
vac Size, shape & number

empty

[Latin vacāre ‘to be empty’]

vacant · vacation · vacuum · evacuate · vacate
Wiktionary: vac
vad, vas Movement & place

go

[Latin vādere, vāsus ‘to go’]

invade · evade · pervasive · evasion · invasion
Wiktionary: vad, vas
vag Movement & place

wander

[Latin vagārī ‘to wander’, vagus ‘wandering’]

vague · vagabond · vagary · extravagant
Wiktionary: vag
val, vail Law & power

be strong, be worth

[Latin valēre ‘to be strong, to be worth’]

valid · value · valor · evaluate · prevail
Wiktionary: val, vail
vect, veh Movement & place

carry

[Latin vehere, vectus ‘to carry’]

vehicle · vector · convection · invective
Wiktionary: vect, veh
ven, vent Movement & place

come

[Latin venīre, ventus ‘to come’]

convention · event · intervene · venue · prevent
Wiktionary: ven, vent
ver Mind & feeling

true

[Latin vērus ‘true’]

verify · verdict · very · veracity · aver
Wiktionary: ver
verb Speaking & writing

word

[Latin verbum ‘word’]

verbal · proverb · verbose · verbatim
Wiktionary: verb
vers, vert Movement & place

turn

[Latin vertere, versus ‘to turn’]

reverse · convert · divert · versatile · anniversary
Wiktionary: vers, vert
vest Making & doing

clothe, clothing

[Latin vestis ‘garment’, vestīre ‘to clothe’]

vest · invest · vestment · travesty
Wiktionary: vest
via, vi Movement & place

way, road

[Latin via ‘way, road’]

viaduct · deviate · trivial · obvious · previous
Wiktionary: via, vi
vid, vis Seeing & the senses

see

[Latin vidēre, vīsus ‘to see’]

video · vision · visible · evidence · revise
Wiktionary: vid, vis
vinc, vict Law & power

conquer

[Latin vincere, victus ‘to conquer’]

victory · victor · convince · invincible · evict
Wiktionary: vinc, vict
vir People & society

man; manly strength

[Latin vir ‘man’]

virile · virtue · triumvirate
Wiktionary: vir
viv, vit Life & nature

live, life

[Latin vīvere ‘to live’, vīta ‘life’]

vivid · survive · revive · vital · vitamin
Wiktionary: viv, vit
voc, vok Speaking & writing

call, voice

[Latin vocāre ‘to call’, vōx, vōcis ‘voice’]

vocal · vocabulary · advocate · evoke · provoke
Wiktionary: voc, vok
volv, volu (roll) Movement & place

roll, turn

[Latin volvere, volūtus ‘to roll’]

revolve · evolve · involve · volume · revolution
Wiktionary: volv, volu (roll)
vol (will) Mind & feeling

wish, will

[Latin velle ‘to wish’, volō ‘I wish’]

volunteer · voluntary · benevolent · malevolent
Wiktionary: vol (will)
vor Life & nature

eat, swallow

[Latin vorāre ‘to swallow, to devour’]

carnivore · herbivore · omnivore · voracious · devour
Wiktionary: vor
X
xen, xeno People & society

stranger, foreign

[Greek ξένος (xénos) ‘stranger, guest’]

xenophobia · xenon · xenophile
Wiktionary: xen, xeno
Z
zoo, zo Life & nature

animal, living being

[Greek ζῷον (zôion) ‘animal’]

zoo · zoology · zodiac · protozoa
Wiktionary: zoo, zo

How to use the roots list

Type a root (spect), a meaning (carry) or a whole word you are curious about (transport): every word you type must appear in the entry, so light greek finds the Greek root for light. Choose a language or a theme to narrow the list, or switch Arrange to By theme to see the roots grouped as body, movement, speaking and writing, and so on.

Each entry is set like a dictionary: the root in bold, its theme, its meaning, then in square brackets its language in small capitals and the Latin or Greek source word, and example English words. The link under each entry opens the Wiktionary page it was checked against.

Print flashcards prints the roots you are looking at as fold-over cards: the root on one half and its meaning and examples on the other. Filter first (one theme makes a good weekly set), print, cut along the solid lines and fold on the dashed line.

Questions

What is the difference between a root and a prefix?

A root carries the core meaning of a word, like port ‘carry’ in transport. A prefix is added in front to change that meaning, like trans- ‘across’. Some Greek elements, such as bio and tele, work as both, so dictionaries call them combining forms.

Why do some roots have several spellings?

Latin verbs change their stem between forms: capere ‘to take’ has captus, and its stem became cip or cept inside compounds. So capture, accept and participate share one root.

Can I reuse this list?

Yes. The data is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0 because it was checked against, and partly derived from, Wiktionary. Credit Etymoasis and Wiktionary contributors and share what you make under the same licence; the full data is on the About page.