Table of Contents Roots #1-5 Roots #6-10 Roots #11-15 Roots #16-20 Sample Root List Sample Root Quiz

ROOT MEANING EXAMPLE WORD DEFINITION 1. semi half semicircle half circle semisweet half sweet

semi Root Meaning: HALF Example Words: semicircle Definition: a half circle semisweet Definition: half sweet and half bitter semifinal Definition: half way to the final competition.

mono ONE Root Meaning: Example Words: Monocle Definition: one piece eyeglass Monopoly Definition: exclusive control over one service or commodity

uni ONE Root Meaning: Example Words: unity Definition: united as one uniform Definition: identical or as one

bi two Root Meaning: Example Words: bicycle Definition: a two wheeled vehicle bilateral Definition: two sides, surfaces, or lines

du two Root Word: Example Words: duplicate Definition: to make two of duet Definition: a musical composition for two voices

ROOT WORD MEANING EXAMPLE WORD DEFINITION semi half semicircle half circle mono one monocle one eye glass uni unity together as one bi two bicycle two wheeled vehicle du duplicate make two of

tri three Root meaning: Example Words: tripod triathlon Definition: a three- legged stool, table, or stand used to hold things like a camera triathlon Definition: a race with three parts: running, swimming, and bicycling

quad four Root meaning: Example Words: quadrennial Definition: happening every four years quadrilingual Definition: the ability to speak four languages

dec ten Root meaning: Example Words: decade Definition: a period of ten years decapod Definition: a ten-footed creature, such as a crab or shrimp

cent hundred Root meaning: Example Words: centipede Definition: a small bug with 100 feet century Definition: a period of 100 years

milli thousand Root meaning: Example Words: millipede Definition: one thousand legged bug

multi many Root meaning: Example Words: multiply Definition: to increase by many multitask Definition: to do many things at the same time

poly many Root meaning: Example Words: polygon Definition: a shape with many sides Polytheism: the belief in many gods.

pan all Root meaning: Example Words: panoramic Definition: a view from all angles Pandora All gifted

equ equal Root meaning: Example Words: equation Definition: a number sentence with an equals sign Equilateral All sides equal

a/an without Root meaning: Example Words: anonymous Definition: without a name anarchy Definition: without a government or law

in- not Root meaning: Example Words: insincere Definition: not sincere; not genuine inconsiderate Definition: not considerate; not kind

un- not Root meaning: Example Words: uncertain Definition: not certain; not clear unforgiving Definition: not willing to forgive others easily

mal bad; badly Root meaning: Example Words: malfunction Definition: badly functioning malicious Definition: intending to harm someone badly

mis bad; badly Root meaning: Example Words: mispronounce Definition: badly pronounce misbehave Definition: to act out badly

theo/thei god Root meaning: Example Words: polytheism Definition: the belief in many gods theology Definition: the study of the nature of God and religious belief

gen Root Meaning: Cause; Birth; Kind; Race Example Words: generation Definition: birth order genealogy Definition: the study of family lines and birth order

cosm Root Meaning: World; Order; Universe Example Words: cosmopolitan Definition: Sophisticated and worldly cosmic Definition: relating to the universe or cosmos

aster/astr star astronaut Definition: traveler of the stars asterisk Root Meaning: star Example Words: astronaut Definition: traveler of the stars asterisk Definition: a tiny star; used in editing and printing to show something special

phot/phos Root Meaning: light Example Words: photosynthesis Definition: to use light to make food source phosphorescent Definition: giving off light without heat

geo geography Definition: the study of the Earth and its features Root Meaning: Earth Example Words: geography Definition: the study of the Earth and its features geology Definition: a science that deals with the history of the Earth

terr territory Definition: an area of land extraterrestrial Root Meaning: land, Earth Example Words: territory Definition: an area of land extraterrestrial Definition: existing outside the earth

mar submarine Definition: an undersea boat marine Root Meaning: sea; pool Example Words: submarine Definition: an undersea boat marine Definition: found in or relating to the sea

hydr hydrant Definition: storage pipe of water hydrophobia Root Meaning: water Example Words: hydrant Definition: storage pipe of water hydrophobia Definition: intense fear of water

aqua aquarium Definition: a water container for fish aquaduct Root Meaning: water Example Words: aquarium Definition: a water container for fish aquaduct Definition: a pipeline for water

pyr pyromaniac Definition: a person obsessed with fire pyrotechnics Root Meaning: fire; heat Example Words: pyromaniac Definition: a person obsessed with fire pyrotechnics Definition: the art of making fireworks

therm Root Meaning: heat Example Words: thermometer Definition: an instrument that measures temperature or heat endothermic Definition: heated from within the body

phon phonics Definition: the sounds that letters make megaphone Root Meaning: sound Example Words: phonics Definition: the sounds that letters make megaphone Definition: a large funnel shaped device used to make the voice sound louder

nom astronomy Definition: the study of order of the stars economy Root Meaning: law, order Example Words: astronomy Definition: the study of order of the stars economy Definition: the orderly system of rules and regulations by which anything is managed

meter speedometer Definition: a device that measures speed barometer Root Meaning: measure Example Words: speedometer Definition: a device that measures speed barometer Definition: an instrument that measures air pressure

cycl Root Meaning: circle Example Words: cyclone Definition: a circular windstorm with a calm center cyclops Definition: a mythical giant with one round, circular eye in the middle of its forehead

chron time synchronize Definition: to make happen at the same time Root Meaning: time Example Words: synchronize Definition: to make happen at the same time chronological Definition: arranged in order of time

anima soul; spirit inanimate Root Meaning: soul; spirit Example Words: inanimate Definition: to be without a spirit or soul animated Definition: full of spirit or life

spir life; breath inspire Definition: to give life to an idea Root Meaning: life; breath Example Words: inspire Definition: to give life to an idea respiratory Definition: of or pertaining to the organs in the body that provide breath or life

psych mind psychology Definition: the study of the brain or mind Root Meaning: mind Example Words: psychology Definition: the study of the brain or mind psychotic Definition: an affliction to the brain or mind (i.e. insane, deranged, mad, lunatic)

bio life biography Definition: story of a person’s life biology Root Meaning: life Example Words: biography Definition: story of a person’s life biology Definition: study of life and living organisims

capit head decapitate Definition: to cut off the head capital Root Meaning: head Example Words: decapitate Definition: to cut off the head capital Definition: the city or state where the head or lead government resides

corp body corpse Definition: a dead body corporation Root Meaning: body Example Words: corpse Definition: a dead body corporation Definition: a group of people united as one body

viv to live revive Definition: to live again survivor Root Meaning: to live Example Words: revive Definition: to live again survivor Definition: one who lives through an event or time

op / opt eye, sight optical Definition: related to sight optometrist Root Meaning: eye, sight Example Words: optical Definition: related to sight optometrist Definition: a doctor specializing in the eyes

soma body psychosomatic Definition: interaction between mind and body Root Meaning: body Example Words: psychosomatic Definition: interaction between mind and body somatology Definition: the study of the physical body

Dent tooth/teeth Dentist Definition: person who treats teeth Denture Root Meaning: tooth/teeth Example Words: Dentist Definition: person who treats teeth Denture Definition: an artificial replacement of the teeth

Manu Hand Manuel Definition: To involve hands Manuscript Root Meaning: Hand Example Words: Manuel Definition: To involve hands Manuscript Definition: A document written by hand

Ped foot Pedestrian Definition: Going on foot Pedicure Root Meaning: foot Example Words: Pedestrian Definition: Going on foot Pedicure Definition: professional care of the feet

Pod foot Tripod podium Definition: A stand with three feet Root Meaning: foot Example Words: Tripod Definition: A stand with three feet podium Definition: A small platform you stand on with your feet

Derm/Derma Skin Epidermis Dermatology Root Meaning: Skin Example Words: Epidermis Definition: The outer layer of skin Dermatology Definition: The study of the skin