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

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

3. 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.

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

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

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

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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23. 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

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

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

26. 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

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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

42. 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)

43. 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

44. 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

45. 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

46. 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

47. 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

48. 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

49. 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

50. 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

51. 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

52. 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

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