Root Words

Auto

Definition: self Word examples: 1.autonomous: self-governing; independent 2.autograph: person’s individual signature 3.automobile: self-propelled vehicle 4.automatic: having self-acting mechanism 5.autobiography: the story of one’s life written by oneself

Bene

Definition: good; well 1.benefactor: a person who helps people or institutions 2.beneficial: promoting or enhancing well-being 3.benevolent: kind, well-meaning 4.benediction: a prayer inviting good things and blessings 5.benefit: something that is helpful or an advantage; a perk

Bio

Definition: life Word examples: 1.biography: story of someone’s life 2.biosphere: zone of the Earth where there’s life 3.biology: study of living things 4.biopsy: removal of living tissue from the body for study 5.antibiotic: germ-killing medicine

Chron

Definition: time 1.chronological: record of events in the order or time in which they occurred 2.synchronize: cause to happen at the same time 3.chronic: continuing for a long time 4.chronometer: instrument to measure time 5.chronicler: a historian

Dict

Definition: to say Word examples: 1.dictionary: a reference book in which spoken or written words are defined 2.contradict: to speak against or say the opposite 3.predict: to say what will happen before it occurs 4.dictator: a leader who speaks and rules by force and with total power 5.dictation: what is written down as someone says it

Geo

Definition: earth Word examples: 1.geography: study of the earth’s surface, climate, continents, people, etc. 2.geology: study of Earth’s history through rocks 3.geothermal: related to the internal heat of the earth 4.geosphere: the solid portion of the earth 5.geocaching: the outdoor game involving a hunt for hidden objects using a GPS

Graph

Definition: write 1.calligraphy: elegant handwriting 2.graphic: written words and symbols 3.topography: the art of map writing 4.graphomania: a compulsive urge to write 5.homograph:two words written the same, but with different meanings

Jud

Definition: judge Word examples: 1.judgement: the ability to judge or make a decision 2.judicial: judging fairly or carefully 3.prejudice: to judge before knowing 4.misjudge: to judge incorrectly 5.adjudicate: to settle a disagreement; to judge a competition

Micro

Definition: extremely small Word examples: 1.microscope: an instrument that makes small objects look larger 2.microwave: a small wave used to cook food 3.microphone: a device used to make small voices sound larger 4.microfilm: film with small images of records, etc. 5.microcosm: a miniature world or universe

Migr

Definition: wander or move 1.emigrant: someone who leaves a place 2.immigrant: someone who moves to a new country 3.migrate: to move from one place to another 4.migratory: a large population of animals that move from one place to another 5.transmigrate: to be born into another body after death.

Mort

Definition: death Word examples: 1.mortal: subject to death 2.immortal: not subject to death 3.mortician: a person who manages funerals 4.mortuary: a building where bodies are kept before burial or cremation 5.rigor mortis: the stiffening of the body after death

Phon

Definition: sound or voice Word examples: 1.phonics: the use of letter sounds to teach reading 2.telephone: an electronic device that carries sound over distance 3.symphony: a large, classical orchestra 4.homophone: a word that sounds the same as another word with a different meaning/spelling 5.euphony: pleasing and harmonious sounds

Photo

Definition: light 1.photograph: a picture made by reflecting light off a plate 2.photon: a unit of light intensity 3.photology: the science of lights 4.photokinesis: movement induced by light 5.photobiotic: requiring light to live

Scrib

definition: write 1.describe: to write down how something or someone looks 2.scribble: sloppy handwriting that is hard to read 3.prescribe: write down a rule or action to be followed 4.scribe: a person who writes things down 5.transcribe: to write down or translate

Tele

Definition: distance Word examples: 1.television: a device that displays electronic signals received from a distance 2.teleport: to transport instantly over a distance 3.telescope: an instrument used to view distant objects 4.telepathy: communication using minds 5.telegram: a message sent over a wire

Test

Definition: to witness Word examples: 1.testify: to bear witness or give evidence 2.testimony: the statement of a witness in court 3.attest: to confirm that something is true, genuine, or correct 4.testate: to make a will 5.testimonial: a letter or statement of recommendation