Common Latin and Greek Root Words List with Meanings

English is really a fascinating language. While learning new concepts and grammar techniques you generally come across a lot of words. Sometimes you are eager to know the meaning of the words and search through the dictionary.

Have to ever wonder how these words would have originated or from where they might have originated? The origin of these words is from different languages such as Sanskrit, French, Latin, Greek, and many more.

Greek and Latin Root Words List – Meaning & Examples

But before moving ahead we need to understand what do we mean by root words.

We know that the English words are formed by using some basic words and deriving a combination of words by adding prefixes and suffixes. This basic word to which we add suffix and prefix is called the root words. They are called so because they form the basis or foundation of a new word. It is essential to know that the root words are worse in its own right. They are sometimes a stand-alone word. It is very essential to understand the meaning of the common root word as it will help you to deduce the meaning of the new words that you might encounter. Sometimes the root word may have more than one meaning. Suppose you come across a greek word ‘tele’, it means far. Now when you add proper suffix or prefix to the word, you can get a new word such as television, telegraph, or telephone.

Let’s see some of the new words which are derived from various Latin & Greek root words.

Table of Greek Root Words List with Meanings & Examples

Root

Meaning

Examples

anti

against

antibacterial, antidote, antithesis

ast(er)

star

asteroid, astronomy, astronaut

aqu

water

aquarium, aquatic, aqualung

auto

self

automatic, automate, autobiograph

biblio

book

bibliography, bibliophile

bio

life

biography, biology, biodegradable

chrome

color

monochromatic, phytochrome

chrono

time

chronic, synchronize, chronicle

doc

teach

document, docile, doctrinal

dyna

power

dynasty, dynamic, dynamite

geo

earth

geography, geology, geometry

gno

to know

agnostic, acknowledge

graph

write

autograph, graphic, demographic

hydr

water

dehydrate, hydrant, hydropower

kinesis

movement

kinetic, photokinesis

logos

word, study

astrology, biology, theologian

narc

sleep

narcotic, narcolepsy

path

feel

empathy, pathetic, apathy

phil

love

philosophy, bibliophile, philanthropy

phon

sound

microphone, phonograph, telephone

photo

light

photograph, photocopy, photon

schem

plan

scheme, schematic

syn

together, with

synthetic, photosynthesis

tele

far

telescope, telepathy, television

tropos

turning

heliotrope, tropical

That was a list of greet words. Let’s now have a quick look at different Latin origin words and their meanings.

List of Common Latin Root Words – Meanings & Examples

Root

Meaning

Examples

ab

to move away

abstract, abstain, aversion

acer, acri

bitter

acrid, acrimony, exacerbate

audi

hear

audible, audience, auditorium

bene

good

benefit, benign, benefactor

brev

short

abbreviate, brief

circ

round

circus, circulate

dict

say

dictate, edict, dictionary

duc

lead, make

deduce, produce, educate

fund

bottom

founder, foundation, funding

gen

to birth

gene, generate, generous

hab

to have

ability, exhibit, inhabit

jur

law

jury, justice, justify

lev

to lift

levitate, elevate, leverage

log, logue

thought

logic, apologize, analogy

luc, lum

light

lucid, illuminate, translucent

manu

hand

manual, manicure, manipulate

mis, mit

send

missile, transmit, permit

omni

all

omnivorous, omnipotent, omniscent

pac

peace

pacify, pacific, pacifist

port

carry

export, import, important

quit

silent, restive

tranquil, requiem, acquit

scrib, script

to write

script, proscribe, describe

sens

to feel

sensitive, sentient, resent

terr

earth

terrain, territory, extraterrestrial

tim

to fear

timid, timorous

vac

empty

vacuum, vacate, evacuate

vid, vis

to see

video, vivid, invisible

Phew!, that was a long list, you would not be able to learn all the words in one go.

Conclusion:

Now, you are familiar with an extensive list of Latin as well as Greek Root words. These root words give rise to newly formed complex words which will help you to improvise your English vocabulary. Make sure that you use each word every day while drafting some content or use it in your conversation on a daily basis. These root words would be applicable to creating some innovating words.

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