root word of essay

Root Words in English

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

In English grammar and morphology , a root is a word or word element (in other words, a morpheme ) from which other words grow, usually through the addition of prefixes and suffixes . Also called a root word .

In  Greek and Latin Roots  (2008), T. Rasinski et al. define root as "a semantic unit. This simply means that a root is a word part that means something. It is a group of letters with meaning ."

From the Old English, "root" Examples and Observations

• " Latin is the most common source of English root words ; Greek and Old English are the two other major sources. "Some root words are whole words and others are word parts. Some root words have become free morphemes and can be used as separate words, but others cannot. For instance, cent comes from the Latin root word centum , meaning hundred . English treats the word as a root word that can be used independently and in combination with affixes , as in century , bicentennial  and centipede . The words cosmopolitan, cosmic and microcosm come from the Greek root word kosmos , meaning universe ; cosmos is also an independent root word in English." (Gail Tompkins, Rod Campbell, David Green, and Carol Smith,  Literacy for the 21st Century: A Balanced Approach . Pearson Australia, 2015)

Free Morphs and Bound Morphs

• "Because a root tells us more about the meaning of a word than anything else, the first thing we ask about a complex word is often: What is its root? Often a complex word has more than one root, as in blackbird . . . . "In our native and nativized vocabulary , roots can usually appear as independent words, for which reason they are called free morphs. This makes it particularly easy to find the roots of words like black-bird, re-fresh, and book-ish-ness . In Latin and Greek, roots most often do not occur as separate words: they are bound morphs , meaning they can only appear when tied to other components. For example, the root of concurrent is curr 'run.' which is not an independent word in English or even in Latin." (Keith Denning, Brett Kessler, and William R. Leben. English Vocabulary Elements , 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, 2007)

Roots and Lexical Categories

• "Complex words typically consist of a root morpheme and one or more affixes. The root constitutes the core of the word and carries the major component of its meaning. Roots typically belong to a lexical category, such as noun , verb , adjective , or preposition . . . . Unlike roots, affixes do not belong to a lexical category and are always bound morphemes. For example, the affix -er is a bound morpheme that combines with a verb such as teach , giving a noun with the meaning 'one who teaches.'" (William O'Grady, et al., Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction , 4th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001)

Simple and Complex Words

• "[M]orphologically simple words, which contain only a single root morpheme, may be compared to morphologically complex words which contain at least one free morpheme and any number of bound morphemes. Thus, a word like 'desire' may be defined as a root morpheme constituting a single word. 'Desirable,' by contrast, is complex, combining a root morpheme with the bound morpheme '-able.' More complex again is 'undesirability' which comprises one root and three bound morphemes: un+desire+able+ity. Notice also how, in complex words of this sort, the spelling of the root may be altered to conform to the bound morphemes around it. Thus, 'desire' becomes 'desir-' while 'beauty' will be transformed into 'beauti-' in the formation of 'beautiful' and of the increasingly complex 'beautician.'" (Paul Simpson, Language Through Literature: An Introduction . Routledge, 1997)

Pronunciation:

Also known as:.

• Definition and Examples of a Morph in Linguistics
• Boost Your English Vocabulary With These 50 Greek and Latin Root Words
• What Are Affixes, Prefixes, and Suffixes in English Grammar?
• Complex Words in English
• Word Stems in English
• Base Forms of Words
• Definition and Examples of Morphemes in English
• Definition: Bound Morphemes
• What Are Derivational Morphemes?
• 36 Common Prefixes in English
• Making New Words With Affixation
• Cranberry Morpheme Used in Grammar
• Greek and Latin Roots
• 4 Great Reasons to Learn Greek and Latin Root Words
• How Derivation is Used in Grammar
• Free Morphemes in English, Definition and Examples

The Bookshelf

Exploring edtech and cognitive psychology.

• NSF Funds Work on Flagging Bad Online Behavior
• Testing AI Fairness in Predicting College Dropout Rate
• Pandemic Lockdowns Boost, Democratize Online Education
• Study Reveals Key Course Features that Draw Diverse Students
• Study: No Single Solution Helps All Students Complete MOOCs

Essay Writing

Essay writing is a large part of college life and is an important skill for students to master as you move through your higher education. The root of the word essay is the Latin word exagium , which can be vaguely translated to ‘a weighing of one’s case’.

Essays are short, non-fiction compositions that outline an author’s perspective on a subject. Students may encounter essay assignments from as early as middle school with essay requirements becoming more rigorous as you advance into academia. Although essays can be formal as well as informal, academic essays are typically formal and revolve around topics relevant to your field of study.

Research and preparation are essential to producing a well-crafted essay. You must gather enough information about your subject to successfully decide upon a topic or proposition for your essay. By learning more about essays and the various types of essays, you will be better positioned to practice and master the art of essay writing.

What is an Essay?

Essays are designed to encourage students to develop and discuss your ideas regarding a certain topic. In writing the essay, you’re generally required to present credible information that supports your claims . On top of this, you are often expected to provide an analysis or comparison of multiple factors.

While there is no fixed structure for an essay, most essays contain three main sections .

• The introduction , which gives the reader a brief idea of the topic that is covered and often a thesis statement or main argument.
• The body, which includes in-depth information to support the basic premise and proof to persuade the reader to agree with the author’s point of view. Citations are essential here in establishing credible sources of academic information.
• The conclusion, which summarizes and reinforces the assertions of the essay.

Academic essays can be written in several different formats. Five paragraphs is the most frequent length for a basic essay. However, the minimum word count can vary depending on the academic level of the assignment.

Essay Types

The four most common types of essays are listed below.

• Narrative essays are essays where the author narrates a story from the first-person point of view. They aim to describe how a certain event unfolds chronologically and is often a highly subjective form of writing.
• Descriptive essays are essays where the author attempts to paint a picture and fully describe a subject using all five senses. The subject could be a place, a person, an event, or an object, and details are essential in writing a great descriptive essay.
• Expository essays are essays where the author presents facts that cover both (or more) sides of a topic in a balanced manner. They do so objectively and without bias to either side, using reliable sources .
• Persuasive essays are essays that are the opposite of expository essays. Authors present facts in an attempt to influence the reader to support your argument or point of view.

Essay writing is a skill that improves with practice. When faced with an essay writing assignment, you should start the writing process as soon as possible gain a thorough understanding of the subject, and craft an essay that is interesting and informative for the reader.

For additional resources, see the resources at the John S. Knight Institute For Writing in the Disciplines .

About The Bookshelf

The Bookshelf was founded by a group of Cornell students with the goal of bringing together thought leaders in the field of Educational Technology (EdTech) and cognitive psychology.

If you have any questions about our blog, please get in touch !

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Etymology

I. What is Etymology?

Etymology is not a rhetorical or literary device. “Etymology is the investigation of word histories.” Every word in every language has a unique origin and history; words can be born in many ways, and often their histories are quite adventurous and informative. Etymology investigates and documents the lives (mainly the origins) of words.

The etymology of a word may include many things. A word’s birthday is usually given as the date of the first known usage of the word in print. If a word, like “selfie” was created within historical times, it’s origin is described. Most words are developed over hundreds of years out of previous words, going back into the ancient past, so an etymology tries to trace that development back as far as it can, usually ending with the oldest dead language that we actually have records of. Most words had slightly or very different meanings in the ancient languages they came from, which is documented as well.

II. Examples of Etymology

Etymologies can be simple or complex. Much like the lives of people, it depends upon how much a word has traveled and what adventures it has had. Here are examples of each:

The etymology of the word ‘etymology’ is complex, as follows:

• ethimolegia “facts of the origin and development of a word,”
• from Old French etimologie, ethimologie (14c., Modern French étymologie)
• from Greek etymologia “analysis of a word to find its true origin,” properly “study of the true sense (of a word)”

The etymology of “show-and-tell” is much more simple:

show-and-tell (n.) elementary school teaching tool, 1948, American English.

III. Types of Etymology

Words are born and develop in many ways.

Many words begin with ‘roots’; a root’ is the central piece of most words, the part of the word that carries most of the meaning.

The root of ‘English’ is ‘Engl’ which came from the ancient Germanic tribe, the Angles, who spoke a language that later became English.  The -ish is just a suffix, that means “language of” in this case. 

There are 1,000’s of word-roots in English (or any language). About half of English word-roots come from ancient Germanic languages, because those languages evolved into English, however the other half of English word-roots come from ancient Latin and French because England was conquered by the Norman French 1,000 years ago and English speakers had to learn most of their vocabulary, which became part of English.  Contrary to what a lot of people think, though, English is not descended from Latin.  It’s just that most of our more educated-sounding words were borrowed from Norman French, Latin, or Greek, because they were high-status languages.

As they grow, words can change physically and they can change in meaning. They can also give birth to new words or be adopted from far places and foreign languages. In an etymology, you will find the origins of a word and see when, where and why these changes took place.

Words develop through many processes. Here are four of the most general processes:

a. Modifications

Once people begin to use a word, they may change it, perhaps to make it easier to say, or to make it sound more different from other words, or other reasons. They may also form new words by modifying old words.  ‘Selfie’ is a good example.

b. Semantic Changes

The meanings of words can change over time.

Metaphors : Technology gives us many new words through metaphor such as keyboard, mouse, and desktop .

Euphemisms : what is socially acceptable changes and then, words must, too.

• Housecleaner instead of maid .
• Server instead of waiter or waitress

Functional shift: how words get new parts of speech.

• A soldier > to soldier on
• A load > to upload
• To drive > a drive

Generalization: extending the particular to the general.

• Fanatic (religious zealot) to sports fanatic

Semantic shift: word meanings slide in meaning, as in . . .

• Mood comes from Old English mod , which meant mind or spirit
• Dream in Old English meant a festive atmosphere

c. Generation

As words are used, subtle differences become permanent changes and even new words, themselves:

• Baby talk: Jammies, bye-bye, tummy
• Blends or ‘portmanteau’ words: Spanglish, labradoodle
• Coinages (purposely invented words): Workaholic, blog
• Combining forms: Mini, clipped from miniature and added to everything: minicomputer, minivan
• Compounding: Do and Undo
• Eponyms (words named after people): Alzheimer’s disease
• Nonsense words: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, jabberwocky
• Onomatopoeia (words that sound like their meaning): Slam, crack, bump
• Phrasal verbs (getting by, down, in, off, on, over, and out): Tune in, clean up, buzz off
• Prefixing and suffixing: Pre-heat, legal-ize, re-educate-ion
• Reduplication (the doubling of a syllable or word element to strengthen or emphasize meaning): Flip-flop

d. Borrowing

Words are frequently adopted from foreign languages, usually with some changes in their sound:

• Many borrowed words are names of things or foods that have been brought into our culture from another: bar mitzvah, feng shui, yoga, taco, sushi.
• There are also many words which you would not realize come from foreign cultures, such as slogan (Gaelic), coyote (Nahuatl), and avatar (Sanskrit)

IV. The Importance of Using Etymology

Etymology is important because by knowing it you can become a better wordsmith. If you understand where your words came from, you understand them better and may be able to sue them more effectively, precisely and beautifully.  Knowing etymology will also often help you know the meanings of words you have never seen before.  If you look at two people who are related, you can see their similar features and their family tree becomes obvious. In the same way, if you are familiar with word roots and know the etymologies of some words, you can infer the meanings of other words. In this way, your vocabulary can begin to grow on its own.

V. Examples of Etymology in Literature

This section might be more accurately entitled, “etymologists in literature.” The great literary writers created much of our language.

No one has had quite the same influence on the English language as the playwright and poet William Shakespeare. His works are extensive examples of etymology at work. If you do a quick internet search, you will find pages and pages of websites devoted to words he created or adapted to more interesting purposes. It is said that he invented over 4,000 words! He could only do this by understanding the words he was borrowing from. By manipulating old words to new purposes and situations, he was able to creatively entertain his audiences in continually new ways. Here are just a few of the words he is credited with inventing:

• assassination
• fashionable

J.R.R. Tolkien was another of our language’s great etymologists. He is best known as the author of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit , but he was also a professor of linguistics and he used his knowledge of linguistics in a very different way from Shakespeare—to create realistic fictional languages, names, poetry, and cultures; much of them were closely based on Old English and Old Norse. He also worked on the staff of the Oxford English Dictionary.

Those are only a few examples. If you look at the works of any great author, you will find that they are masters of their language.

VI. Examples of Etymology in Popular Culture

Journalism is a huge part of our popular culture, and the best journalists are excellent etymologists. They must understand both culture and language to do their jobs effectively. They must be able to communicate with people in all areas of society and make themselves understood.

The technological field is one of the greatest fields for etymological development. New words are being invented every day to keep up with changing technology and its uses. Simply think of your computer and you will think of many new words and new ways words are being used: microchip, data processor, iPod, metadata, bandwidth, defrag, interface.

Acronyms are one way that words are invented, which is incredibly popular in current culture. It seems that just about everything has to be shortened to fit into a text message or a two-second sound-bite: LOL, ROFL, OMG . In addition, every institution has its own acronym: UCLA, DOD, FDA . This trend is important to etymology because things that start out as acronyms often become normal words. The words scuba, laser, radar, awol and zip (zip code) are all acronyms that have been accepted as words. Here we can see etymology hard at work.

VII. Related Terms

There are a myriad of terms related to etymology. Go back to section III of this article and you will find an extensive list of them. But, in order to be thorough, here are a few more:

• Linguistics – “the scientific study of language”
• Lexicostatistics – “the statistical study of the vocabulary of a language, with special attention to the historical links with other languages”
• Derivation – “the process whereby new words are formed from existing words or bases by affixation; “’singer’ from ‘sing’ or ‘undo’ from ‘do’ are examples of derivations”
• Folk etymology – “change in the form of a words or phrase resulting from a mistaken assumption about its composition or meaning.” For example, cockroach did not come from cock+roach , but rather from the Spanish cucaracha .

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

• 1.1.1 Pronunciation
• 1.1.2.1 Derived terms
• 1.1.2.2 Related terms
• 1.1.2.3 Translations
• 1.2.1 Pronunciation
• 1.2.2.1 Translations
• 1.3 Anagrams
• 2.1 Etymology
• 2.2 Pronunciation
• 2.3.1 Hypernyms
• 2.3.2 Derived terms
• 2.3.3 Descendants
• 3.1 Etymology
• 3.2.1 Derived terms
• 3.3 References
• 4.1 Etymology
• 4.2.1 Derived terms
• 4.3 References

English [ edit ]

Etymology 1 [ edit ].

Since late 16th century, borrowed from Middle French essay , essai ( “ essay ” ) , meaning coined by Montaigne in the same time, from the same words in earlier meanings 'experiment; assay; attempt', from Old French essay , essai , assay , assai , from Latin exagium ( “ weight; weighing, testing on the balance ” ) , from exigere + -ium .

Pronunciation [ edit ]

• ( Received Pronunciation , General American ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈɛs.eɪ/ (1), IPA ( key ) : /ɛˈseɪ/ (2-4)
• Rhymes: -ɛseɪ
• Homophone : ese

Noun [ edit ]

essay ( plural essays )

• 2013 January, Katie L. Burke, “Ecological Dependency”, in American Scientist ‎ [1] , volume 101 , number 1, archived from the original on 9 February 2017 , page 64 : In his first book since the 2008 essay collection Natural Acts: A Sidelong View of Science and Nature , David Quammen looks at the natural world from yet another angle: the search for the next human pandemic, what epidemiologists call “the next big one.”
• ( obsolete ) A test , experiment ; an assay .
• 1861 , E. J. Guerin, Mountain Charley , page 16 : My first essay at getting employment was fruitless; but after no small number of mortifying rebuffs from various parties to whom I applied for assistance, I was at last rewarded by a comparative success.
• 1988 , James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom , Oxford, published 2003 , page 455 : This was Lee's first essay in the kind of offensive-defensive strategy that was to become his hallmark.
• ( philately , finance ) A proposed design for a postage stamp or a banknote .

Derived terms [ edit ]

• argumentative essay
• automated essay scoring
• eight-legged essay
• essay question
• photo-essay
• photo essay

Related terms [ edit ]

Translations [ edit ], etymology 2 [ edit ].

From Middle French essayer , essaier , from Old French essaiier , essayer , essaier , assaiier , assayer , assaier , from essay , essai , assay , assai ( “ attempt; assay; experiment ” ) as above.

• ( UK , US ) IPA ( key ) : /ɛˈseɪ/

Verb [ edit ]

essay ( third-person singular simple present essays , present participle essaying , simple past and past participle essayed )

• 1900 , Charles W. Chesnutt , chapter II, in The House Behind the Cedars : He retraced his steps to the front gate, which he essayed to open.
• 1950 April, R. A. H. Weight, “They Passed by My Window”, in Railway Magazine , page 260 : The train took the slow to branch spur at the north end at a not much slower speed, then essayed the short sharply curved climb with a terrific roar, smoke rising straight from the chimney to a height of some 60 ft., the long train twisting and curling behind.
• ( intransitive ) To move forth, as into battle.

Anagrams [ edit ]

• Sayes , Seays , Sesay , eyass

Dutch [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ].

Borrowed from English essay ( “ essay ” ) , from Middle French essai ( “ essay; attempt, assay ” ) , from Old French essai , from Latin exagium (whence the neuter gender).

• IPA ( key ) : /ɛˈseː/ , /ˈɛ.seː/
• Hyphenation: es‧say
• Rhymes: -eː

essay   n ( plural essays , diminutive essaytje   n )

Hypernyms [ edit ]

Descendants [ edit ], norwegian bokmål [ edit ].

Borrowed from English essay , from Middle French essai .

essay   n ( definite singular essayet , indefinite plural essay or essayer , definite plural essaya or essayene )

• an essay , a written composition of moderate length exploring a particular subject
• essaysamling

References [ edit ]

• “essay” in The Bokmål Dictionary .

Norwegian Nynorsk [ edit ]

essay   n ( definite singular essayet , indefinite plural essay , definite plural essaya )

• “essay” in The Nynorsk Dictionary .

• English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
• English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂eǵ-
• English terms borrowed from Middle French
• English terms derived from Middle French
• English terms derived from Old French
• English terms derived from Latin
• English 2-syllable words
• English terms with IPA pronunciation
• English terms with audio links
• Rhymes:English/ɛseɪ
• Rhymes:English/ɛseɪ/2 syllables
• English terms with homophones
• English lemmas
• English nouns
• English countable nouns
• English terms with quotations
• English terms with obsolete senses
• English terms with rare senses
• en:Philately
• English verbs
• English dated terms
• English transitive verbs
• English intransitive verbs
• English heteronyms
• en:Literature
• Dutch terms borrowed from English
• Dutch terms derived from English
• Dutch terms derived from Middle French
• Dutch terms derived from Old French
• Dutch terms derived from Latin
• Dutch terms with IPA pronunciation
• Rhymes:Dutch/eː
• Dutch lemmas
• Dutch nouns
• Dutch nouns with plural in -s
• Dutch neuter nouns
• Norwegian Bokmål terms borrowed from English
• Norwegian Bokmål terms derived from English
• Norwegian Bokmål terms derived from Middle French
• Norwegian Bokmål lemmas
• Norwegian Bokmål nouns
• Norwegian Bokmål neuter nouns
• Norwegian Nynorsk terms borrowed from English
• Norwegian Nynorsk terms derived from English
• Norwegian Nynorsk terms derived from Middle French
• Norwegian Nynorsk lemmas
• Norwegian Nynorsk nouns
• Norwegian Nynorsk neuter nouns
• English entries with topic categories using raw markup
• English entries with language name categories using raw markup
• Quotation templates to be cleaned
• Cantonese terms with redundant transliterations
• Mandarin terms with redundant transliterations
• Russian terms with non-redundant manual transliterations
• Urdu terms with non-redundant manual transliterations
• Urdu terms with redundant transliterations

Navigation menu

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to structure an essay: Templates and tips

How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates

Published on September 18, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction , a body , and a conclusion . But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

The basics of essay structure, chronological structure, compare-and-contrast structure, problems-methods-solutions structure, signposting to clarify your structure, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay structure.

There are two main things to keep in mind when working on your essay structure: making sure to include the right information in each part, and deciding how you’ll organize the information within the body.

Parts of an essay

The three parts that make up all essays are described in the table below.

Order of information

You’ll also have to consider how to present information within the body. There are a few general principles that can guide you here.

The first is that your argument should move from the simplest claim to the most complex . The body of a good argumentative essay often begins with simple and widely accepted claims, and then moves towards more complex and contentious ones.

For example, you might begin by describing a generally accepted philosophical concept, and then apply it to a new topic. The grounding in the general concept will allow the reader to understand your unique application of it.

The second principle is that background information should appear towards the beginning of your essay . General background is presented in the introduction. If you have additional background to present, this information will usually come at the start of the body.

The third principle is that everything in your essay should be relevant to the thesis . Ask yourself whether each piece of information advances your argument or provides necessary background. And make sure that the text clearly expresses each piece of information’s relevance.

The sections below present several organizational templates for essays: the chronological approach, the compare-and-contrast approach, and the problems-methods-solutions approach.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

The chronological approach (sometimes called the cause-and-effect approach) is probably the simplest way to structure an essay. It just means discussing events in the order in which they occurred, discussing how they are related (i.e. the cause and effect involved) as you go.

A chronological approach can be useful when your essay is about a series of events. Don’t rule out other approaches, though—even when the chronological approach is the obvious one, you might be able to bring out more with a different structure.

Explore the tabs below to see a general template and a specific example outline from an essay on the invention of the printing press.

• Thesis statement
• Discussion of event/period
• Consequences
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement
• Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages
• Background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press
• Thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation
• High levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe
• Literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites
• Consequence: this discouraged political and religious change
• Invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg
• Implications of the new technology for book production
• Consequence: Rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible
• Trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention
• Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation
• Consequence: The large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics
• Summarize the history described
• Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period

Essays with two or more main subjects are often structured around comparing and contrasting . For example, a literary analysis essay might compare two different texts, and an argumentative essay might compare the strengths of different arguments.

There are two main ways of structuring a compare-and-contrast essay: the alternating method, and the block method.

Alternating

In the alternating method, each paragraph compares your subjects in terms of a specific point of comparison. These points of comparison are therefore what defines each paragraph.

The tabs below show a general template for this structure, and a specific example for an essay comparing and contrasting distance learning with traditional classroom learning.

• Synthesis of arguments
• Topical relevance of distance learning in lockdown
• Increasing prevalence of distance learning over the last decade
• Thesis statement: While distance learning has certain advantages, it introduces multiple new accessibility issues that must be addressed for it to be as effective as classroom learning
• Classroom learning: Ease of identifying difficulties and privately discussing them
• Distance learning: Difficulty of noticing and unobtrusively helping
• Classroom learning: Difficulties accessing the classroom (disability, distance travelled from home)
• Distance learning: Difficulties with online work (lack of tech literacy, unreliable connection, distractions)
• Classroom learning: Tends to encourage personal engagement among students and with teacher, more relaxed social environment
• Distance learning: Greater ability to reach out to teacher privately
• Sum up, emphasize that distance learning introduces more difficulties than it solves
• Stress the importance of addressing issues with distance learning as it becomes increasingly common
• Distance learning may prove to be the future, but it still has a long way to go

In the block method, each subject is covered all in one go, potentially across multiple paragraphs. For example, you might write two paragraphs about your first subject and then two about your second subject, making comparisons back to the first.

The tabs again show a general template, followed by another essay on distance learning, this time with the body structured in blocks.

• Point 1 (compare)
• Point 2 (compare)
• Point 3 (compare)
• Point 4 (compare)
• Advantages: Flexibility, accessibility
• Disadvantages: Discomfort, challenges for those with poor internet or tech literacy
• Advantages: Potential for teacher to discuss issues with a student in a separate private call
• Disadvantages: Difficulty of identifying struggling students and aiding them unobtrusively, lack of personal interaction among students
• Advantages: More accessible to those with low tech literacy, equality of all sharing one learning environment
• Disadvantages: Students must live close enough to attend, commutes may vary, classrooms not always accessible for disabled students
• Advantages: Ease of picking up on signs a student is struggling, more personal interaction among students
• Disadvantages: May be harder for students to approach teacher privately in person to raise issues

An essay that concerns a specific problem (practical or theoretical) may be structured according to the problems-methods-solutions approach.

This is just what it sounds like: You define the problem, characterize a method or theory that may solve it, and finally analyze the problem, using this method or theory to arrive at a solution. If the problem is theoretical, the solution might be the analysis you present in the essay itself; otherwise, you might just present a proposed solution.

The tabs below show a template for this structure and an example outline for an essay about the problem of fake news.

• Introduce the problem
• Provide background
• Describe your approach to solving it
• Define the problem precisely
• Describe why it’s important
• Indicate previous approaches to the problem
• Present your new approach, and why it’s better
• Apply the new method or theory to the problem
• Indicate the solution you arrive at by doing so
• Assess (potential or actual) effectiveness of solution
• Describe the implications
• Problem: The growth of “fake news” online
• Prevalence of polarized/conspiracy-focused news sources online
• Thesis statement: Rather than attempting to stamp out online fake news through social media moderation, an effective approach to combating it must work with educational institutions to improve media literacy
• Definition: Deliberate disinformation designed to spread virally online
• Popularization of the term, growth of the phenomenon
• Previous approaches: Labeling and moderation on social media platforms
• Critique: This approach feeds conspiracies; the real solution is to improve media literacy so users can better identify fake news
• Greater emphasis should be placed on media literacy education in schools
• This allows people to assess news sources independently, rather than just being told which ones to trust
• This is a long-term solution but could be highly effective
• It would require significant organization and investment, but would equip people to judge news sources more effectively
• Rather than trying to contain the spread of fake news, we must teach the next generation not to fall for it

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Signposting means guiding the reader through your essay with language that describes or hints at the structure of what follows.  It can help you clarify your structure for yourself as well as helping your reader follow your ideas.

The essay overview

In longer essays whose body is split into multiple named sections, the introduction often ends with an overview of the rest of the essay. This gives a brief description of the main idea or argument of each section.

The overview allows the reader to immediately understand what will be covered in the essay and in what order. Though it describes what  comes later in the text, it is generally written in the present tense . The following example is from a literary analysis essay on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein .

Transitions

Transition words and phrases are used throughout all good essays to link together different ideas. They help guide the reader through your text, and an essay that uses them effectively will be much easier to follow.

Various different relationships can be expressed by transition words, as shown in this example.

Because Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. Although it was an outcome the Allies had hoped to avoid, they were prepared to back up their ultimatum in order to combat the existential threat posed by the Third Reich.

Transition sentences may be included to transition between different paragraphs or sections of an essay. A good transition sentence moves the reader on to the next topic while indicating how it relates to the previous one.

… Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

However , considering the issue of personal interaction among students presents a different picture.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarized in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.

The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

• The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
• The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-structure/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, comparing and contrasting in an essay | tips & examples, how to write the body of an essay | drafting & redrafting, transition sentences | tips & examples for clear writing, what is your plagiarism score.

To 'Essay' or 'Assay'?

You know what an essay is. It's that piece you had to write in school, hopefully not (but probably) the night before it was due, about a subject such as What Freedom Means to You—at least five pages, double-spaced, and don't even try to get away with anything larger than a 12-point font. (Kudos for thinking to tweak the margins, though.)

Remember the difference and get an 'A' for effort.

You might also know that essay can be a verb, with its most common meaning being "to try, attempt, or undertake":

A very close approach to the evil of Idi Amin is essayed in Giles Foden's 1998 novel The Last King of Scotland , whose narrator is the Scottish personal physician to the dictator. — Norman Rush, The New York Review of Books , 7 Oct. 2004 The principal accidents she remembers, before last summer's, involved chipping a couple of teeth while, as a fifth grader, she was essaying a back flip off a diving board,... — E. J. Kahn, Jr., The New Yorker , 17 Aug. 1987

The verb assay , meanwhile, is used to mean "to test or evaluate" and can be applied to anything from laboratory samples to contest entries:

He bounced from job to job, working on a shrimp boat and later for Pan American Laboratories assaying chemicals coming in from Mexico. — Steve Clark, The Brownville Herald , 21 Apr. 2017 "Each burger will be assayed by visitors and a panel of judges, including local chefs Jen Knox, Gina Sansonia, Judith Able, Bret Hauser, Camilo Cuartas and Peter Farrand." — Phillip Valys, SouthFlorida.com , 19 May 2017

While this distinction might seem clear-cut on the surface, there exists a great deal of historical overlap between essay and assay . The two words derive from the same root—the Middle French essai , which ultimately derives from a Late Latin noun, exagium , meaning "act of weighing."

At one time, assay and essay were synonyms, sharing the meaning "try" or "attempt." In the 17th century, an essay was an effort to test or prove something:

Edmond: I hope, for my brother's justification, he wrote this but as an essay or taste of my virtue. — William Shakespeare, King Lear , 1606

For the modern noun use of essay to mean "a written exploration of a topic," we can almost certainly thank Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), a French writer noted for working in the form. Borrowing a word that emphasized their identity as literary "attempts," Montaigne devised Essais as a title for the vignette-typed pieces that he began publishing in 1580 and spanned over a thousand pages, covering subjects as varied and wide-ranging as solitude, cannibalism, and drunkenness.

Those last ones probably won't be in the final exam.

Word of the Day

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Games & Quizzes

Commonly Confused

'canceled' or 'cancelled', 'virus' vs. 'bacteria', your vs. you're: how to use them correctly, is it 'jail' or 'prison', 'deduction' vs. 'induction' vs. 'abduction', grammar & usage, a list of most commonly confused words, more commonly misspelled words, 10 words you see but don't hear, every letter is silent, sometimes: a-z list of examples, more commonly mispronounced words, 9 other words for beautiful, rare and amusing insults, volume 2, etymologies for every day of the week, the words of the week - apr. 12, 10 scrabble words without any vowels.

The Plagiarism Checker Online For Your Academic Work

Start Plagiarism Check

Editing & Proofreading for Your Research Paper

Get it proofread now

Online Printing & Binding with Free Express Delivery

Configure binding now

• Academic essay overview
• The writing process
• Structuring academic essays
• Types of academic essays
• Academic writing overview
• Sentence structure
• Academic writing process
• Improving your academic writing
• Titles and headings
• APA style overview
• APA citation & referencing
• APA structure & sections
• Citation & referencing
• Structure and sections
• APA examples overview
• Commonly used citations
• Other examples
• British English vs. American English
• Chicago style overview
• Chicago citation & referencing
• Chicago structure & sections
• Chicago style examples
• Citing sources overview
• Citation format
• Citation examples
• College essay overview
• Application
• How to write a college essay
• Types of college essays
• Commonly confused words
• Definitions
• Dissertation overview
• Dissertation structure & sections
• Dissertation writing process
• Graduate school overview
• Application & admission
• Study abroad
• Master degree
• Harvard referencing overview
• Language rules overview
• Grammatical rules & structures
• Parts of speech
• Punctuation
• Methodology overview
• Analyzing data
• Experiments
• Observations
• Inductive vs. Deductive
• Qualitative vs. Quantitative
• Types of validity
• Types of reliability
• Sampling methods
• Theories & Concepts
• Types of research studies
• Types of variables
• MLA style overview
• MLA examples
• MLA citation & referencing
• MLA structure & sections
• Plagiarism overview
• Plagiarism checker
• Types of plagiarism
• Printing production overview
• Research bias overview
• Types of research bias
• Example sections
• Types of research papers
• Research process overview
• Problem statement
• Research proposal
• Research topic
• Statistics overview
• Levels of measurment
• Frequency distribution
• Measures of central tendency
• Measures of variability
• Hypothesis testing
• Parameters & test statistics
• Types of distributions
• Correlation
• Effect size
• Hypothesis testing assumptions
• Types of ANOVAs
• Types of chi-square
• Statistical data
• Statistical models
• Spelling mistakes
• Tips overview
• Academic writing tips
• Dissertation tips
• Sources tips
• Working with sources overview
• Evaluating sources
• Finding sources
• Including sources
• Types of sources

Your Step to Success

Plagiarism Check within 10min

Printing & Binding with 3D Live Preview

Root Words – Definition, Types & List With Examples

How do you like this article cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Root words are like the secret ingredients in a recipe for language. Just a few basic ingredients can create various dishes, these words are the building blocks that make up countless other words. By getting to know them, we unlock a world of new words and meanings, much like discovering new flavors in cooking. Understanding them is crucial for students to enhance their vocabulary and grasp language rules effectively.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Root words in a nutshell
• 2 Definition: Root words
• 3 Examples of root words
• 4 Types of root words
• 5 Base words vs. root words
• 7 Benefits of learning root words

Root words in a nutshell

Root words are the simplest, most basic form of words in a language, serving as the foundation from which other words are built by adding affixes . They encapsulate the essential meaning of a word and are key to understanding and expanding your vocabulary.

Definition: Root words

Root words are the basic, core units of meaning in a language from which other words are formed, derived from Latin, Greek, and other languages. Roots are the base part of words from which other words grow, usually through the addition of prefixes (beginnings) and suffixes (endings). They carry the core meaning of the word and cannot be broken down any further. Additionally, they function as a type of morpheme (small part of a word) with a distinct meaning.

For example, in the word “unhappy,” “ happy ” is the root, which means a state of joy or contentment, and “un” is a prefix added to indicate the opposite. Roots can be standalone words or not stand on their own. Understanding these words can help you decipher unfamiliar words, with the same roots, also called word families, and enhance one’s grasp of the language.

Examples of root words

These examples of root words show the basis for many words in the English language, illustrating how understanding them can significantly expand your vocabulary and make sense of unfamiliar words.

Types of root words

Root words are primarily categorized based on their origin, with the most common types being those derived from Latin and Greek languages. These diverse roots highlight the complexity and richness of the language, demonstrating how it has evolved over centuries to incorporate and adapt words from across the globe. Here’s a closer look at these types:

Latin root words

Many English words derive from Latin, the language of Ancient Rome. Latin roots form the basis for numerous words, especially in academic, legal, and scientific terminology.

Example: “Scrib/Scrip”

The Latin root “scrib” means “write,” leading English words like “de scrib e,” or “manu scrip t.”

Common Latin roots

Common roots derived from Latin include the following:

To help you dive deeper into the world of Latin roots and see how they shape the English language, we’ve put together a handy list for you to download. This list shows Latin roots, their meanings, and sample words that are derived from them.

Greek root words

Greek roots have significantly influenced the English language, especially in the fields of science, medicine, philosophy, and arts. These roots words form the foundation of a multitude of English words, offering insights into their definitions .

Example: “Graph-”

The Greek root word “ graph -“ which means “write” or “drawing,” leading English words like “auto graph ,” or “ graph ite.”

Common Greek roots

Some common Greek roots are illustrated below:

Similar to the Latin root download list we offered earlier, we’ve also prepared a comprehensive guide focusing on Greek roots. This list shows common Greek roots with their meaning, along with derived words.

Hybrid roots

Some of these words are formed from a combination of roots from different languages, often Latin and Greek. These hybrid words are particularly common in scientific and technical vocabularies.

Example: “Television”

• Tele-: This prefix comes from the Greek and means “far.” It is commonly used in English to denote distance or operating over a distance, as seen in words like “ tele phone” (sound from far away).
• -vision: This part of the word comes from the Latin “visio,” meaning “sight.” It is derived from “videre,” the Latin verb “to see.” This root is found in many English words related to seeing, such as “ vis ual,” or “ vis it.”

Anglo Saxon roots

English, with its rich linguistic history, includes many words that are derived directly from Old English roots, forming the backbone of the everyday language. These root words are foundational and often denote basic concepts, objects, or actions.

Example: “Friend” 

A friend is a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of family relations. Other words derived from this root are “ friend ship,” or “ friend ly.”

Slavic roots

Though less common, Slavic roots have entered English through direct borrowing or via other European languages. These roots are often found in words related to specific cultural concepts, foods, or political terms.

Example: “Robota”

“Robot” comes from the Czech and Polish word “robota,” meaning forced labor, introduced into English through a play in the early 20th century. A derived word is, i.e., “ robot .”

Semitic roots

English has absorbed some Semitic roots, particularly from Hebrew and Arabic, through religious, scientific, and mathematical contexts.

Example: “Al-kuhl”

An example is “ alcohol ,” which comes from the Arabic “ al-kuhl ,” referring to a finely provided, and by extension, the essence or spirit of something.

Root words that can standalone

Root words that can stand alone as independent words are also known as free morphemes . These are complete words with distinct meanings, and can also serve as the base for creating more complex words through the addition of prefixes and suffixes.

Base words vs. root words

Root words and base words are oftentimes used interchangeably, even though they are not exactly the same. They function as the fundamental units of a word, to which prefixes and suffixes can be added to create new words. Root words stand on their own with clear meaning and are often used as the starting point for word information in English. Unlike root words, which may not always stand alone as coherent words in modern usage, base words are always standalone words with complete meanings.

Base word : “ play ”

With suffix : “ play ful”

With prefix : “re play ”

Here are some further examples of base words:

Affixes are elements added to the base of a word to modify its meaning or create a new word. They play a crucial role in the morphology of a language, which is the study of the form and structure of words. Affixes can be categorized into prefixes, suffixes, and infixes.

A prefix is a type of affix which is placed before the base form of a word to modify its meaning or create a new word. Prefixes can alter the meaning of the root word in various ways, such as by negating it, indicating repetition, or describing a relationship. Unlike suffixes, which can change the part of speech of a word, prefixes typically do not alter the word class but modify the word’s semantic meaning.

• Re- (again)
• Dis- (not, opposite of)
• Pre- (before)
• Mis- (wrongly)
• Over- (too much)

Common Latin prefixes

Latin prefixes are widespread in English and contribute to the richness of the language. Below, you’ll encounter some common Latin prefixes:

Common Greek prefixes

Greek prefixes, like their Latin counterparts, play a significant role in English, particularly in medical, technical, and scientific technology. Below, you will find some examples.

Another type of affix, the suffix, is a letter or a group of letters added to the end of a word to alter its meaning or form a new word. It oftentimes alters its grammatical function, such as changing a verb to a noun, a noun to an adjective , and so on. Further, they can indicate tense, part of speech , and plurality.

• Noun suffixes: -tion, -ment
•  Adjective suffixes: -able, -ful
•  Verb suffixes: -ize, -ate
•  Adverb suffixes: -ly

Common Latin suffixes

In the table below, we have put together some common Latin suffixes for you, since they play a crucial role in academic writing .

Common Greek suffixes

Greek suffixes, much like Latin ones, have had a profound impact on the English language, especially in the realms of science, astrology, or medicine.

An infix is inserted into the middle of a word and are relatively rare in English but are found in other languages with specific grammatical or phonological functions. This is not a part of formal English grammar but rather an example of informal, expressive language.

“abso- bloody -lutely”

Benefits of learning root words

Learning root words is not just about expanding vocabulary; it’s a tool for unlocking the richness of language, enhancing cognitive skills, and opening doors to greater academic, professional, and personal growth. These words could elevate the expression and composition of your thesis , academic paper, or dissertation .

Vocabulary expansion

Root words serve as the foundation for several other words and by understanding them, you can unlock the meaning of numerous derivatives. This knowledge increases your vocabulary without the need to memorize each word individually and helps to prevent repetition and redundancy  in your writing.

Critical thinking

Analyzing words to identify their roots actively encourages critical thinking and sharpens analytical skills. It transforms passive reading and listening into active linguistic investigation, fostering a more profound engagement with language.

Spelling & pronunciation

Learning the origin of words is crucial when it comes to spelling and pronunciation , particularly those that are complex or less familiar. Understanding the components of a word provides clues to its correct pronunciation and helps to avoid spelling mistakes .

What is the difference between a traditional and a modern root?

Traditional roots come from ancient languages like Latin and Greek, while modern roots are based on newer words and concepts.

What are examples of root words?

• Aqua – (Latin for “water”): Aqua rium, aqua plane
• Bio – (Greek for “life”): Bio logy, bio degradable
• Chron – (Greek for “time”): Chron ological, syn chron ize

Do all words have a root?

No, not all words possess a root. Many words are basic or original forms that do not derive from a root. This includes simple nouns , verbs , adjectives , and adverbs , that cannot be broken down any further into smaller meaningful units.

What are common Latin roots?

Common Latin roots include:

• Aqua- ( Auqa rium)
• Dict- (Pre dict )
• Vis- ( Vis ion)
• Port- (Re port )
• Scrib- (De scrib e)

What are common Greek roots?

Common Greek roots include the following:

• Anthropo- ( Anthropo logy)
• Bio- ( Bio logy)
• Geo- ( Geo logy)
• Phon- (Tele phon e)
• Photo- ( Photo graphy)

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience.

• External Media

Individual Privacy Preferences

Cookie Details Privacy Policy Imprint

Here you will find an overview of all cookies used. You can give your consent to whole categories or display further information and select certain cookies.

Accept all Save

Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.

Show Cookie Information Hide Cookie Information

Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website.

Content from video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default. If External Media cookies are accepted, access to those contents no longer requires manual consent.

Privacy Policy Imprint

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

40 English Word Roots From Latin and Greek to Boost Your Vocabulary

How do you feel about shortcuts?

By learning short and simple pieces of English words, also known as word roots , you can unlock an understanding of thousands of words and boost your English vocabulary !

In this post, we’re going to share 40 English word roots from Latin and Greek to help you improve your comprehension of English by providing a shortcut to learning.

What is a Root?

Common english word roots from greek and latin, roots of greek origin, roots of latin origin, how to use roots to form and understand english words, top 10 suffixes you’ll see with roots, top 10 prefixes you’ll see with roots, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

First, we should talk about what “root” means.

A root is the basic unit of a word.

Linguists, scientists who study language, refer to the root as the base or foundation of a word. If you really think about it, the name “root” makes sense. A real, literal root is the base of a tree, connecting the tree to the ground. The root of a word connects that word to some meaning.

To learn about other parts of words and their relationships with roots, check out this informative page . 

If you aren’t sure that you want to memorize hundreds of roots, then memorize just these 40 roots . These are some of the most useful and common roots that you’ll learn!

You’ll see these popping up everywhere in words you both know and don’t know. If you wouldn’t have had any idea what they meant before you had learned the roots, then you’ll see the value of learning roots. 

Now that you have a list of great roots to memorize, you’ll need a list of the most common prefixes and suffixes to go with it.

Prefixes and suffixes are two things that can be attached to roots to form words.

Suffixes can be attached at the ends of roots to change either the definition or the part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) of the word. So, suffixes can change verbs into nouns, nouns into adjectives and so on.

To create words you put a root together with either a suffix or prefix. Examples:

photo ( root for light) + graph ( suffix for written) = photograph (light that is written)

re ( prefix for again) + flect ( root  for bend) = reflect (to bend again)

Now you might think these are funny ways to define the words “photograph” and “reflect.” This is because using Latin to define words means that you’re using very direct, literal translations.

However funny these translations might sound, there’s always a clue there that shows what the true meaning is in English.

Top Greek Suffixes 

Top Latin Suffixes 

Top Greek Prefixes

Top Latin Prefixes

As you can see, learning roots, suffixes and prefixes is a quick shortcut to learn and understand words in English.

Immersing yourself in the language and seeing how it’s used by native speakers is a great way to learn vocabulary and see word roots. There are many great TV shows in English that you could watch, or you could even try a language-learning program like FluentU .

So there you have it, folks.

You’ve got a great guide to English word roots and how to use them!

Get out there and see how much English you understand now.

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Enter your e-mail address to get your free PDF!

We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe

List of Root Words: 120+ Root Words for Writers

Root words provide the essential part of a word’s meaning. Discover our list of root words and create more sophisticated prose.

We have created a list of root words to help you develop your writing skills. Once you know a few, you will see how frequently they occur. Over 60% of words in the English language are of Greek and Latin origin, and many have German, French, and Spanish origins, which in turn have Latin roots. 

Learning root words will improve your vocabulary and help you understand the origins of the English language.

There are many other ways to improve your command of the English language. Check out our article on how to improve your vocabulary .

What are Root Words?

What’s the difference between a base word and a root word, list of root words printable, examples of root words, traditional root words: latin, traditional root words: greek, common root words.

Root words are our building blocks. They have a meaning and cannot be further divided into smaller words with alternative meanings. They are basic grammatical units or primary morphemes.

Each grammatical unit can be one of the following:

• Free morpheme – a word that can stand alone
• Bound morpheme – an affix (prefix or a suffix). Bound morphemes can form words when combined with other morphemes.

For example, the word “graph” is a Greek root word, a free morpheme. It means writing or recording. Now try adding the bound morpheme or prefix “tele” (meaning far off), and you have the new word “telegraph,” a system for transmitting messages along a wire.

If you add the bound morpheme or suffix “ology” to the root word “graph,” you have the new word “graphology,” which means the study of handwriting.

Incidentally, the suffix “ology” means the science of something, such as psychology, physiology, ecology, and zoology.

Base words and root words are similar but not interchangeable terms. A base word is a word that can be used by itself and can also create another word with the addition of a suffix or prefix. For example, the word “help” makes sense by itself and becomes “helpless” when the suffix “less” is added.

A root word is also used to form other words, but the root isn’t always a standalone word. For example, “lect” is a root word in “collect,” but the word “lect” by itself doesn’t make sense.

Most English words have a Latin and Greek foundation. It’s the reason they’re called “traditional root words.” Traditional root words, in particular, often need to be attached to another word or affix to be a complete word, but this isn’t always the case.

Below are some examples of English, Latin, and Greek root words to help you become more familiar with them.

English Root Words

Many modern English root words are derived from Old English (spoken from around 450 until 1100) and Middle English (spoken from approximately 1100 to 1500).

As language continuously evolves, much of the old vocabulary is no longer spoken, but the facets that endured helped form the basis of English as we know it today.

Here are some examples of modern root words and how to use them as part of another English word:

• Behave – Behavior

He’s only getting a lot of attention because of his bad behavior .

• Break – Breaking

Breaking the fourth wall is a great way to connect with your audience.

• Care – Careful

She always reminds her son to be careful wherever he goes.

• Employ – Unemployment

Last month, America recorded a 3.5% unemployment percentage , which is still within the ideal unemployment rate of 3% to 5%.

• Friend – Friendly

Everyone likes her because she’s a very friendly person.

• Form – Formulating

Formulating a new design for this project in the short period they allotted us was challenging.

• Heat – Reheat

Instead of buying hot food, she prefers to reheat her leftovers to save money.

• Play – Player

Dennis is such an exceptional player that the head coach told him he should pursue a professional career out of it.

• View – Preview

Her favorite band shared a preview of their upcoming album.

• Want – Wanted

All I ever wanted was to feel like I belonged; is that too much to ask? 

Check out this list of er words .

Although the English language is not directly descended from Latin the same way Romantic languages like Spanish and Italian are, a significant amount of English vocabulary was borrowed from Latin. 

Some linguists estimate that almost 50% of the words found in a standard English dictionary are of Latin descent . Below are some common Latin root words: 

•  Act (To do) – Actor

William was hailed as the best actor in the stage play competition.

• Aqua (Water) – Aquamarine

Cleo’s new aquamarine hair suits her very much; it makes her look like she just came out of a movie about mermaids.

• Aud (Hear) – Audience

You need to shock the audience so they don’t easily forget your performance.

• Annu (Year) – Annual

Are you nervous about our annual employee review?

• Appear (Come into sight) – Appearance

She worries so much about her appearance that it’s starting to affect her mental health.

• Ardu (Difficult) – Arduous 

Running a marathon is an arduous task. 

• Bene (Well) – Beneficial

Daily morning exercises are beneficial to one’s health.

• Bi (Two) – Bilingual

Kevin is bilingual because he speaks English and Spanish.

• Bon (Good) – Bonus

We got a generous employee bonus this year. 

• Circ (Round) – Circle 

The class must sit around in a circle . 

• Circum (Around) – Circumstances

Unfortunately, her current circumstances don’t let her keep her children.

• Contra (Against) – Contrary

Contrary to everyone’s expectations, James wins the competition.

• Cred (Believe) – Credibility

Lying cost him all credibility .

• Crypt (Hidden) – Cryptic

You will need a guide to solve that cryptic crossword.

• Dict (Say) – Dictate

Don’t let other people dictate your life, do what you want.

• Don (Give) – Donate

She’s very generous; she will always donate money to charity. 

• Ego (I) – Egomaniac

Being an egomaniac, everything had to be about him.

• Fact (Made) – Factory

Her mother has worked at the shoe factory for over five years.

• Fin (End) – Final 

Don’t make me call your parents; this is your final warning. 

• Frat (Brother) – Fraternity 

The initiation process makes joining a fraternity in college off-putting. 

• Hal (Breathe) – Exhale

Hold your breath for a few seconds and exhale slowly.

• Intra (Within) – Intramural

Kenneth wants to participate in this year’s intramural , but he can’t decide what sport he wants to join. 

• Ject (Throw) – Reject

Apple pickers carefully choose good apples and reject the bad ones.

• Jud (Judge) – Judicial

The victim’s attorney is seeking judicial review of the decision.

• Jur (Law) – Jury

The jury will deliberate after hearing all the evidence.

• Lect (Gather) – Collect 

Mildrid likes to collect stamps. 

• Legal (Law) – Illegal

He believes downloading pirated copies of movies from the internet should not be illegal .

• Lev (Lift) – Levitate

I don’t know how the magician made his assistant levitate above the audience. 

• Nav (Ship) – Naval

John is a retired naval officer. 

• Magn (Great) – Magnificent 

The fireworks display was magnificent . 

• Mal (Bad) – Malignant

The doctor explains that the old lady’s cancer is malignant ; they can’t do anything about it anymore.

• Marine (Sea) – Submarine

I’m frightened and intrigued by a submarine ‘s mechanisms.

• Mater (Mother) – Maternity

Nurse Angela likes to work in the hospital’s maternity unit.

• Memor (Remember) – Memoir 

I would love to write a memoir about my life.

• Multi (Much, Many) – Multiple

The Mona Lisa’s popularity hangs on her smile; experts argue that it has multiple meanings.

• Norm (Rule, Pattern) – Paranormal

They want to hire a paranormal expert to solve this supernatural case.

• Pater (Father) – Paternal

Because his father died when he was young, Kean always wonders what paternal love feels like.

• Port (Carry) – Transport

He prefers public transport even if he has a car since it’s cheaper.

• Place (Spot) – Replace

Her employer promised to replace her if she didn’t change her attitude.

• Rupt (Burst) – Disruption

The bombing strikes are causing massive disruption in the country.

• Sect (Cut) – Dissect

Aya proudly says that she knows how to dissect a frog.

• Sent (Feel) – Consent

Parents must sign a consent form declaring they permit their children to participate in the summer camp.

• Spect (To look at) – Spectator 

I didn’t take part; I was just a spectator .

• Struct (Build, Assemble) – Restructure

He wants to restructure their house to eliminate clutter and make it look more inviting.

• Ten (Hold) – Maintenance 

A neat garden requires constant maintenance .

• Terra (Earth) – Extraterrestrial 

E.T. was an extraterrestrial being. 

• Tim (Fear) – Timid

A mouse is a timid creature. 

• Use (Skill, Habit) – Misuse

When rulers misuse their power, the whole kingdom suffers.

• Vac (Empty) – Evacuate

You must evacuate the building if there is a fire. 

• Voc (Call) – Advocate

She’s an advocate for anyone with visual or auditory impairment, pushing laws requiring public establishments to offer suitable support.

• Vot (Promise) – Devoted

He was a devoted husband and father. 

• Vid (See) – Video

There’s a CCTV video that captured the bank robbery.

• Viv (Live) – Survive 

A domesticated dog would never survive in the wild. 

Although Greek wasn’t as influential in the development of the English language as Latin, it still played a big role. Around 13% of the words found in an English dictionary come from Greek. See our list of English words with Greek roots below to use them in teaching or writing correctly:

• Aero (Air) – Aeroplane 

Timmy has never traveled via aeroplane before. 

• Allos (Another) – Allegory 

A “sinking ship” is an allegory for something going wrong. 

• Anth (Flower) – Anthesis

The period a flower blooms for is called the anthesis . 

• Anti (Against) – Antisocial

An antisocial personality disorder is a severe condition where the person disregards other people’s rights and feelings.

• Arachn (Spider) – Arachnophobia 

Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders. 

• Arch (Rule) – Anarchy

The classroom descended into anarchy without a teacher present. 

• Arithm (Count, Number) – Arithmetic 

Bobby excelled in arithmetic in elementary school.

• Auto (Self) – Automatic

Cecile and her father are arguing whether automatic cars are better than manual cars.

• Bio (Life) – Biology

Biology is an exciting subject with many subbranches explaining living things’ origins, behaviors, and classes.

• Botan (Plant) – Botanical 

I love seeing interesting plants at the botanical gardens.

• Chron (Time) – Chronological

The new employee likes to put the files in chronological order.

• Dem (People) – Democracy 

We each get a vote: we live in a democracy .

• Dyna (Power) – Dynamite

No one has the right to use dynamite when fishing.

• Geo (Earth) – Geography 

We learned about volcanoes in geography class today. 

•  Gno (Know) – Knowledge 

To my knowledge , he wasn’t at the party.

• Graph (Write) – Graphic

Henry is an excellent graphic artist, and he’s good at exceeding his client’s expectations.

• Hetero (Another) – Heterosexual

I still believe that gay and lesbian pairs will one day have the same rights as heterosexual couples.

• Hydr (Water) – Dehydrate

Fevers can quickly dehydrate your body, so you must drink lots of water.

• Logy (Discipline, Field of study, List of) – Psychology

She is studying psychology to understand herself and other people better.

• Micro (Small) – Microscope

You need to carefully put the specimen under the microscope if you don’t want the slides to break.

• Meter (A measure) – Kilometer

There’s a total of 1,000,000 millimeters per kilometer . 

• Morph (Shape) – Morphing

The film shows the leading actor morphing into a giant wolf.

• Narc (Sleep) – Narcolepsy 

Narcolepsy is a difficult condition to live with.

• Nym (Name, Word) – Synonym

A synonym refers to words that have the same or similar meanings.

• Phobia (Fear) – Claustrophobia

Her severe claustrophobia prevents her from using any elevator. 

• Photo (Light) – Photography

Jake wants to enroll in photography classes this semester. 

• Pseudo (False, Lying) – Pseudonym

She writes her excellent stories under a pseudonym .

• Psycho (Soul, Mind, Breath, Spirit) – Psychopath

Excessive use of alcohol and drugs can turn an individual into a psychopath .

• Scope (See) – Stethoscope

The doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to the heart’s murmur.

• Techno (Skill, Art)  – Technological

Because of financial issues, Lino’s parents ask him to enroll in a technological institute instead of a university.

• Tele (Far off) – Telegram

His grandfather has a stack of old telegram s containing Morse code and other important information.

• Therm (Heat) – Thermometer

I can’t believe my doctor still uses a traditional thermometer to see if I have a fever instead of a thermometer gun.

Once you become familiar with root words, you begin to recognize them everywhere in your day-to-day conversations. Below are some more common root words, originating from both Latin and Greek, that you’ve certainly come across before. 

• Ambi (Both) – Ambiguous

The government always seems to be ambiguous on this issue.

• Anthrop (Human) – Philanthropy

Her idol always donates to various charitable institutions and devotes a lot of time and effort to philanthropy .

• Astro (Star) – Astronaut

Mino knows that NASA has strict requirements to be an astronaut , but he is serious about being one in the future.

• Cardio (Heart) – Cardiovascular

Smoking puts anyone at a higher risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

• Cent (Hundredth) – Century

Living in medieval castles shows how wealthy and powerful the royal family was during the 11th century .

• Dyna (Power) – Dynasty 

The dynasty finally fell when the last surviving relative died. 

• Equi (Equal) – Equity

The brand owner plans to raise the company’s return on equity to 25%.

• Extra (Outer) – Extraordinary 

Adrenaline allows us to do extraordinary things in an emergency.

• Fract (Part of) – Fraction

He needs to save money, so he only spends a fraction of his monthly income.

• Fort (Strong) – Fortress

The general explained that the easiest way to capture the enemy’s fortress was from the inside.

• Fum (Smoke) – Fumes

Try not to inhale the fumes from the fire. 

• Gastr (Stomach) – Gastrointestinal 

Your nausea is due to a gastrointestinal disorder. 

• Grav (Heavy) – Gravity 

Gravity on the moon is weaker than on Earth. 

• Homo (Same) – Homogenous

To avoid issues, all club members must have a homogenous taste in music.

• Hypo (Under) – Hypothermia

Seven mountaineers are suffering from hypothermia after the avalanche.

• Kind (Nature, Race) – Kindness

Lia prays she inherits her mother’s intelligence and kindness .

• Love (Care) – Lovely

You look much shorter than I remember, but you’re still as lovely as ever.

• Mis (Wrongly) – Misspell

To ensure you have a high-quality paper, do not misspell words, check grammar, and avoid typos.

• Omni (All) – Omnipotent

My mom explains that money isn’t omnipotent , but people can’t survive in this world without it.

• Pack (Bundle) – Packing

Jillian has been packing her things since this morning, preparing for her flight tomorrow. 

• Read (Interpet, Consult) – Reading

Mia enjoys reading and doing her assignments on their school’s rooftop rather than in the library.

• Scrib (Writes) – Prescribes

After her checkup, the doctor prescribes some medications to lessen the pain in her stomach.

• Sen (Old) – Senior 

Senior citizens get priority seating on the bus. 

• Worth (Valuable) – Unworthy

The humble student feels unworthy to receive the award, but his family and friends assure him that he does and are proud of him.

• Zoo (Animal) – Zoophobia

Aina’s date takes her to a zoo without knowing she has zoophobia .

Expanding your vocabulary is critical to improving your writing. See our list of conjunction words to learn more.

Aisling is an Irish journalist and content creator with a BA in Journalism & New Media. She has bylines in OK! Magazine, Metro, The Inquistr, and the Irish Examiner. She loves to read horror and YA. Find Aisling on LinkedIn .

View all posts

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Footer

Please enable JavaScript for this site to work properly.

Learning about the building blocks of words can help you make sense of unfamiliar words.

handy, capable of

destroy, get rid of

bitter, sharp, tart

inclined to, abounding in

characteristics of

sharp, keen, fierce

state of being something

sharp, keen, point

to, towards

attach to, add, give to

thing or person made by a certain process

possessing a quality

feel, perceive

influenced, strongly moved

to do something

leading, drawing forth

struggle, contest, conflict

field, country

do, act, drive

other, different

action, process

cause to grow, feed

of or relating to

walk, go around

both, around

state or condition

to be ...ed

of or pertaining to

mind, spirit

opposite, against

being in a state or condition

not, without

relating to

suitable, fit

think, judge

chief, principal

chest, coffer

burn, be on fire

pertaining to

to divide into small joints; speak clearly

skill, craft

person or thing belonging to

rough, harsh, roused to anger

possessing a certain quality

to make have a certain quality

act of doing something

state or quality of

of or belonging to

hear, listen to

diviner, seer

desire, be eager

forms a noun

to, towards, at

beat, pound

war, fighting

to treat in a certain way

strike, push

warm, be hot

be of brilliant whiteness

rule, straight rod, standard

taken, seized

take, seize

wagon, cart

burnt, red hot

swift, speedy

assessed, judged, rated

sift, perceive, decide

compete, strive, contend

sheet of paper

pure, without stain

around, about

moved, stirred up

clear, bright

mercy, mildness, calmness

sloping region; zone of the Earth; ladder

slope, hill

shut, close

shut, closed

cook, ripen

learn, know

with, together

suitable, convenient

common, public, general

celebration, fun

join, win over

hide, put away

come together, agree

horn, point

buffet, cuff, blow

believe, trust

burst, crack

grow, arise, increase

sift, discern, separate

shout out in complaint

fault, blame, guilt

ran, hurried

worry, anxiety, attention

become used to

circle, wheel

suitable, graceful, proper

destroy, wipe out

loss, penalty, injury

spirit, divine power

mocked, made fun of

through, across

apt at teaching

apart, not, away from

worthy, deserving

separate into parts

separated into parts, divided

feel pain, grieve, suffer

dragon, snake, serpent

hard, harsh

out of, from

having a particular state

temple, house

bring about, accomplish

doing something

that which is to be ...ed

made of, pertaining

around, near

wander, make a mistake

act or practice

becoming; beginning to be

fix the value of

little, diminutive

state or quality

enforce, demand

used for spelling and pronunciation

easy, easily accomplished

face, surface

trick, deceive, be in error

household, familiar group

weary, tire

foolish, silly, stupid

speak, talk, say

like, support

happy, lucky

boil, be hot

carry, bring, bear

feast, holidays

pretend, invent

trust, faith

form, shape

daughter, son

end, form a boundary

fastened, nailed, secured

struck, struck down

flow, stream, glide

hearth, fireplace

luck, chance

strong, vigorous, powerful

pour, pour out, spread out

broken, crushed

break, crush

repeated, constant

forehead, foremost part

fruit, enjoyment

shine, flash

full of, resembling

perform, complete

bottom, depths, basis

rage, be mad

check, restrain

innate quality, inborn talent

born, produced

kind, type, class

bud, embryo

bear, bring, carry

gathered into a ball-shaped mass

tongue, language

swallow, gulp down

line, stroke of a pen, letter

great, lofty, powerful

pleasing, welcome

heavy, serious, burdened

steer a ship

stick, cling, hold fast

cheerful, merry

human being, man

urge, encourage

tremble, dread, shudder

host, guest

over, above

under, below

of or connected with

characteristic of

belonging to

image, statue

one relating to

own, personal, private

image, likeness, shape

that which does something

produce, bring forth

tending to do or be something

likeness, idea

copy, resemble

command, provide leadership

impulse, attack

one who shows, forefinger

a or of a continuous action

whole, entire

between, within, among

be envious of

in, on, into

of the nature of

become angry

verging upon, somewhat

action or process of doing something

set of beliefs

distinctive trait of language

name of a certain system

characterized by

one who performs an action; believer

of or that which does something

make or treat in a certain way

throw, cast

join, attach, form a link

pertaining to the day, daily

joined, attached

swear, take an oath, law

young, young man

next to, beside

be sluggish, wilt, lack vigor

loosen, take one's ease

gathered, chosen

speak, read

bind, choose

gather, read

letter of the alphabet; document

light, of little weight

left behind, abandoned

it is permitted, one may

strike, harm

doorway, threshold

line, string, thread

flow, be liquid

letter of the alphabet

tie, bind, link

having spoken

study, science, theory

word, study, reason

talk, speak

struggle, fight against

light, brightness, clarity

play, trick

light, glow

illumine, brighten

wash, bathe

in a particular way or manner

plan, trick, artifice

large, long

ruler, leader

large, great

greater, larger

madness, frenzy

stay, remain

learn, understand

middle, in the middle, in half

blend, mingle, mix

great, large

remembering

fault, defect, lying

act of measuring

quality, condition

earned, gained, deserved

beyond, change

pass, proceed

one thousand

imitator, mimic

lean forward, threaten

lessen, make smaller

wrong, wrongly

active, quick

measure, method, manner

grind in a mill

of or resembling

one, single

showed, pointed out

warn, advise, remind

shape, form

custom, habit, manner

die, decay, death

gift, public service

delay, stay behind

change, alter

numbness, deadness

deny, say not

vigor, determination

state, quality, condition

tied, bound

harm, injure

well known, famous

law, custom

carpenter's square, pattern

gotten to know, found out

messenger, message, report

messenger, report

against, in the way

smear with oil

burden, load

think, suppose

wish, choose

to, towards, against

wealth, abundance

sight, view

order, row, series

furnished with organs

one who does something

rise, begin

full of, having

state; process; condition

possessing the nature of

sharp, keen

fasten, drive in

stroke, caress, touch

beside, alongside

come to sight

make, prepare

suffer, endure

dough, paste

feeling, disease

stumble, sin

hang, weigh

almost, nearly

around, near, about

seek, attack, go for

cause to appear, show

saying, speech

voice, sound

paint, portray

pile, pillar

pierce, prick

attempt, attack

pit, kernel

pity, right conduct

cleanse, make honest

please, suit, be acceptable

mourn for, beat

plant, sprout

flat, broad

applaud, clap

applaud, strike

smooth, refine, polish

weigh, consider

part, share, division

harbor, port

placed, put

have or take control of

pause, temporary halt

capable, powerful

specify, place

worth, price

having prayed or entreated

seize hold of

seized hold of

before, in front

previous, in front

without, individual

prove, test, approve

pleasingly inclined

proper, fitting, one's own

next, nearest

pointed, stabbed, pierced

point, pierce, prick

rotten, stinking, decaying

think, consider

know, learn

of what kind?

complain, protest

rested, stilled, calmed

seek, strive for

rest, be still, stay calm

who, what, which

be rotten, stink

snatch, grab, seize

loose-knit, spaced thinly

scrape, scratch

ruled, guided, put right

back, again

rule, guide, direct

stay put, stand still

place for; thing used for

oak, strength

chew, eat away

ask, request

unskilled, untaught

sacred, holy

perceive keenly

health, safety

leap, spring forward, jump

in good taste, wise

climb, mount

form, shape, manner

split, division

probe, examine

ring, circle

sit, settle, rest

felt, sensed, perceived

feel, sense, perceive

old man, elder, old

clear, untroubled

keep, guard, save

wait on, serve

strict, grave

hiss, whistle

mark, seal, sign

pretend, copy, imitate

curve, fold, hollow

examine, consider

be in the habit of

whole, firm

having a certain quality

wise, clever

distance, area

see, observe, look, watch over

see, look at, observe

scatter, besprinkle

bright, shining

pledge, promise

seed, a sowing, a scattering

pledged, promised

stand, stand still

standing, standing still

mark, brand, tattoo-mark

set up, decided

covering, spread

drawn tight, confined

draw tight, tighten, confine

build, construct

become dazed, be amazed

make sweet, urge

under, from below

highest, topmost

taken up, put on

take up, put on

board, plank

silent, quiet

stained, dyed

touch, affect

arrange, put in order

skill, art, craft

cover, shield, protect

regulate, modify

stretch, stretch out

stretched, stretched out

boundary, end, limit

earth, land

witness, proof, indicator

proposition, idea put forth

relating to a process or state

fear, be afraid

prick, quench

touch, reach, affect

label, title, description

raise, endure

be stiff, be numb

twisted, wound, wrapped

across, through

shake, tremble

alarmed, fearful

divided, granted, given credit

entangle, make difficulties

rubbed, worn away

nourishment, food

turn, change

thrust, push

trunk, removed by chopping

thrusted, pushed

swell,disturbance, uproar

confusion, turmoil, disorder

beat, blunt, deaden the senses

protect, catch sight of

blow, impression, form

state; quality

rich in, full of

repeated activity

shadow, shade

not, opposite of

shows actions or results

active during a given period

useful, practical

wander, roam, rove

be strong, be of value

from before

empty, illusory

steam, spoiled, flat

different, diverse

go, proceed, advance

carry, bring

worship, revere, honor

get even, revenge

clothing, garments

old, long-standing

see, look at

shake, quickly move to and fro

instead of, change

see, take care

see, perceive

act, be lively

conquer, win

avenger, defender, revenge

excellence of character

entrails, internal organs

flaw, defect

road, way, journey

called, called upon

call, call upon

fly, move swiftly, speed

rolled, wrapped up

roll, wrap up, turn round

promise, pledge

make common, publish

pluck, tear up

towards a place

desolate, laid waste

eager rivalry, fierceness

Differentiated vocabulary for your students is just a click away.

We use cookies! 🍪

We use cookies to provide you with the best online experience. By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use .

Get Started

Hi there! Tell us a little bit about yourself to begin.

I'm an educator

looking to use Membean at my school or district.

I'm a parent

looking for my kid(s) to use Membean.

I'm interested in: Select... Homeschooling Independent Learning

I'm an individual

wanting to study for a test or to improve my vocabulary.

I'm studying for: Select... SAT GRE Personal Use

paper-free learning

• conjunctions
• determiners
• interjections
• prepositions
• affect vs effect
• its vs it's
• your vs you're
• which vs that
• who vs whom
• who's vs whose
• averse vs adverse
• 250+ more...
• apostrophes
• quotation marks
• lots more...
• common writing errors
• FAQs by writers
• awkward plurals
• ESL vocabulary lists
• all our grammar videos
• idioms and proverbs
• Latin terms
• collective nouns for animals
• tattoo fails
• vocabulary categories
• most common verbs
• top 10 irregular verbs
• top 10 regular verbs
• top 10 spelling rules
• improve spelling
• common misspellings
• role-play scenarios
• favo(u)rite word lists
• multiple-choice test
• Tetris game
• grammar-themed memory game
• 100s more...

What Is a Word Root?

Table of Contents

Example of Word Roots with Prefixes and Suffixes

Word roots with greek origins, word roots with latin origins, "word root" or "base word".

• A List of Common Prefixes

Why Word Roots Are Important

• friend s, friend ly, un friend ly, friend ship
• ab normal , normal ity, normal ize, ab normal ity
• im mature , matur ity

A List of Common Suffixes

• He play s football.
• He play ed tennis.
• He had play ed badly.
• He skipped play fully.
• This game is not play able.

(Reason 1) Use root words to increase your vocabulary.

(reason 2) use your understanding of word roots and affixes to decode the meanings of long words..

• lonelinesslessness
• semihemidemisemiquaver

(Reason 3) Use an affix to reduce your word count.

• Not aware > unaware
• Not sure > unsure
• to bake cakes > baking cakes
• a comparison of the data shows > comparing the data shows

(Reason 4) Break down long words to help with spelling

• Anti-dis-establ-ish-ment-arian-ism
• Expand your vocabulary by the affixes and applying them to word roots.
• Use an affix to create a new word that allows you to reduce your word count.
• Identify the word root and any affixes in a word to help with spelling it and decoding its meaning.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

Learning Resources

more actions:

This test is printable and sendable

Help Us Improve Grammar Monster

• Do you disagree with something on this page?
• Did you spot a typo?

Find Us Quicker!

• When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Grammar Monster quicker if you add #gm to your search term.

You might also like...

Share This Page

If you like Grammar Monster (or this page in particular), please link to it or share it with others. If you do, please tell us . It helps us a lot!

Create a QR Code

Use our handy widget to create a QR code for this page...or any page.

< previous lesson

next lesson >

• Grammar Lessons
• Grammar Exercises
• Grammar Quizzes
• Mixed Tests
• PDF Worksheets
• Beginners Lessons
• Easy Worksheets
• Beginners Tests
• Reading Exercises
• Drag & Drop Grammar
• English For Kids
• Kids Word Games
• Picture Vocabulary
• Reading Tests
• Short Dialogues
• Short Sentences
• Closest in Meaning
• Irrelevant Sentence
• ESL Paragraphs
• GRE Reading
• Text Completion
• GRE Equivalence
• SAT Sentence
• Essay Writing
• Vocabulary Exercises
• Study Skills Tips
• Drag & Drop Vocab

Common Roots List

essence (n.)

late 14c., essencia (respelled late 15c. on French model), from Latin essentia "being, essence," abstract noun formed (to translate Greek ousia "being, essence") from essent- , present participle stem of esse "to be," from PIE root *es- "to be."

Originally "substance of the Trinity;" the general sense of "basic element of anything" is first recorded in English 1650s, though this is the underlying notion of the first English use of essential . Meaning "ingredient which gives something its particular character" is from c. 1600, especially of distilled oils from plants (1650s), hence "fragrance, perfume" (17c.). In 19c. U.S., essence-peddler could mean "medical salesman" and "skunk."

Entries linking to essence

mid-14c., "that is such by its essence," from Late Latin essentialis , from essentia "being, essence," abstract noun formed (to translate Greek ousia "being, essence") from essent- , present participle stem of esse "to be," from PIE root *es- "to be." Meaning "pertaining to essence" is from late 14c., that of "constituting the essence of something" is from 1540s; that of "necessary" is from 1520s. Essentials "indispensable elements" is from early 16c. Related: Essentially .

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to be."

It forms all or part of: absence ; absent ; am ; Bodhisattva ; entity ; essence ; essential ; essive ; eu- ; eucalyptus ; Eucharist ; Euclidean ; Eudora ; Eugene ; eugenics ; eulogy ; Eunice ; euphemism ; euphoria ; euthanasia ; homoiousian ; improve ; interest ; is ; onto- ; Parousia ; present (adj.) "existing at the time;" present (n.2) "what is offered or given as a gift;" proud ; quintessence ; represent ; satyagraha ; sin ; sooth ; soothe ; suttee ; swastika ; yes .

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit asmi , Hittite eimi , Greek esti- , Latin est , Old Church Slavonic jesmi , Lithuanian esmi , Gothic imi , Old English eom , German ist .

Trends of essence

More to explore, share essence.

updated on September 28, 2017

Trending words

• 1 . brickbat
• 2 . vicarious
• 4 . sibling
• 6 . pulchritudinous
• 7 . america
• 9 . nostalgia

Dictionary entries near essence

essentialism

• English (English)
• 简体中文 (Chinese)
• Deutsch (German)
• Español (Spanish)
• Français (French)
• Italiano (Italian)
• 日本語 (Japanese)
• 한국어 (Korean)
• Português (Portuguese)
• 繁體中文 (Chinese)