A root word is a word or a part of a word that forms new words with the addition of prefixes and suffixes to it. A root word has its own meaning and we can't break down it any further. Generally, we take root words from Greek, Latin and English languages. With the help of root words, we can understand and memorize the words that are related to a particular root word, so that we can improve our vocabulary skills. Having knowledge of prefixes and suffixes also helps us in improving our verbal skills. A prefix is added at the beginning of a word to change the meaning of the word. A suffix is added at the end of a word to change the meaning of word. Here are some examples of root words, prefixes and suffixes.
Anthro
Anthro means human
e.g.: Anthropology – Study of humans. Anthropoid – Animal resembling a human. Misanthrope – A person who dislikes human.
Bene
e.g.: Benefit – Profit gained from something.Benefactor – A person who help others.
Cide
Cide means kill
e.g.: Genocide – Killing of a large number of people. Suicide – Killing of one’s self. Insecticide – Substance used for killing insects.
Dur
Dur means hard
e.g.: Durable – Able to withstand damages. Endure – Facing difficulties patiently.
Equi
Equi means equal
e.g.: Inequal – Not equal. Equilibrium – A state of physical balance. Equity – The quality of being fair and impartial.
Flex means bend
e.g.: Flexible – Capable of bending easily. Reflex – Bent or turned backwards.
Geo
Geo means earth
e.g.: Geography – Study of physical features of the earth Geology – Study of structure of the earth. Perigee – The orbit nearest to the earth.
Hetero
Hetero means different
e.g.: Heterogeneous – Different in character or content. Heterosexual – Attraction between opposite sexes.
Lith
Lith means stone
e.g.: Lithography – Printing process using a flat stone. Monolith – A single stone made into a monument. Neolithic – Related to stone age.
Junc
Junc means join, connect
e.g.: Junction – A point where two or more things join. Adjunct – A thing added to something additionally.
Suffixes
-ful
ful means full of, tend to, as much as
e.g.: Beautiful – Full of beauty. Harmful – Tend to do harm. Spoonful – As much as to fill in a spoon.
-ism
ism means a distinctive ideology, practice, system
e.g.: Darwinism – Principles of Darwin’s theory. Jainism – Practice of Jain religion. Socialism - A political and economic theory of social organisation regulated by a community.
logy means field of study
e.g.: Biology – Study of living things. Astrology – Study of stars. Musicology – Study of music.
-ion, -tion, -ation
ion means denoting an action; tion means express an action; ation means state of something.
e.g.: Union – The act of uniting. Revolution – A sudden change. Separation – State of being separate.
-ous, -eous, -ious
ous means contain, possess; eous means composed of; ious means full of
e.g.: Poisonous – Contains poison. Igneous – (rocks) formed by intensive heating. Delicious – Full of taste.
Prefixes
Dys-
e.g.: Dysfunction – Not operating properly. Dyslexia – Not good in learning words. Dysphoria – A state of restlessness or unwell.
Inter-
F Inter means between, among
e.g.: Intercity – Between or among cities. Interatomic- Between atoms.
Mis-
e.g.: Mistake – Taking something incorrectly. Misfire – Fail to fire properly. Misprint – Printing of something incorrectly.
Pre-
Pre means before, infront of
e.g.: Predict – Say in advance. Preface – Something written in front of a book.
Trans-
Trans means transportation, complete change
e.g.: Transfer – Move one place to another. Transplant – Removing a plant from one place and plant it in another place. Transform- Change into another substance.
Some more..
Acro
F Acro means high, tip
e.g.: Acrobat, Acronym, Acrophobia
Act means to move, to do
e.g.: Action, Exact, Transact
Ambi
Ambi means both
e.g.: Ambidextrous, Ambivalence, Ambiance
Ambig
F Ambig means doubtful
e.g.: Ambiguous, Disambiguate
Anim
Anim means life, spirit
e.g.: Animal, Animate, Equanimity
Anthro
Anthro means man
e.g.: Anthropoid, Anthropology, Misanthrope
Anti
Anti means opposite
e.g.: Antisocial, Antidote, Antioxidant
Aqua
Aqua means water
e.g.: Aquatic, Aqueduct, Aquifer
Arbor
Arbor means tree
e.g.: Arboraceous, Arboriculture, Arborist
Astro
Astro means star, heavenly body
e.g.: Asteroid, Astronomy, Disaster
Audi
Audi means hear
e.g.: Audio, Audience, Audible
Auto
Auto means self
e.g.: Autograph, Autonomous, Autopsy
Baro
F Baro means weight, pressure
e.g.: Barometer, Baron, Barotrauma
Belli
Belli means war
e.g.: Belligerence, Cobelligerent
Bene
F Bene means good, well
e.g.: Benefactor, Benefit, Benevolent
Biblio
Biblio means book
e.g.: Bible, Bibliographer, Bibliography
Bio
Bio meams life
e.g.: Biodegradable, Biology, Biosphere
Calor
F Calor means heat
e.g.: Calorie, Calorific, Calorimeter
Cardio
Cardio means heart
e.g.: Cardiograph, Cardiolipin, Cardiology
Carn
F Carn means flesh
e.g.: Carnivore, Carnage, Carnation
Cede
Cede means give, yield
e.g.: Concede, Precede, Recede
Cent
Cent means one hundred
e.g.: Centennial, Centigrade,Centimetre
Cert
F Cert means sure
e.g.: Certain, Certify, Ascertain
Chron
Chron means time
e.g.: Chronicle, Chronology, Synchronize
Cide
Cide means act of killing
e.g.: Suicide, Infanticide, Matricide
Cious
Cious means to do something
e.g.: Ferocious, Avaricious, Pugnacious
Cline
Cline means lean
e.g.: Incline, Decline, Recline
Circum
Circum means around
e.g.: Circumcise, Circumference, Circumlocution
Contra
Contra means against
e.g.: Contraband, Contraception, Contradict
Corp
Corp means body
e.g.: Corporation, Corps, Corpse
Counter
Counter means opposite
e.g.: Counterattack, Counter clockwise, Encounter
Cracy
Cracy means rule
e.g.: Autocracy, Bureaucracy, Democracy
Cranio
F Cranio means skull
e.g.: Cranium, Cranial, Craniology
Cred
Cred means believe
e.g.: Credential, Credible, Credit
Crypto
Crypto means hidden
e.g.: Cryptobiosis, Cryptocurrency, Cryptography