More Word Smart: How to Build an Impressive Vocabulary (2012)
Chapter 6. WORD ROOTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Here is a list of the most helpful roots to know. It is the same list that appears in Word Smart. As we said there, learning roots helps you memorize words. When you look up the definition of a word on this list, try to relate that definition to the meaning of the root. You should recognize these roots in new words, but don’t struggle to memorize their definitions. These roots are in thousands of words you already know. You simply have to become aware of them.
Some students go through these lists one root at a time; they look up all the words under one root and learn the definitions together. That way they can link the meanings of different but related words. Linking words together improves your understanding and helps you remember better.
Note: Some roots words have more than one spelling. We have listed the most common forms of each.
A (without)
amoral
atheist
atypical
anonymous
apathy
amorphous
atrophy
apartheid
anomaly
agnostic
AB/ABS (off, away from, apart, down)
abduct
abhor
abolish
abstract
abnormal
abdicate
abstinent
absolution
abstruse
abrogate
abscond
abjure
abstemious
ablution
abominate
aberrant
AC/ACR (sharp, bitter)
acid
acute
acerbic
exacerbate
acrid
acrimonious
acumen
ACT/AG (to do, to drive, to force, to lead)
act
agent
agile
agitate
exacting
litigate
prodigal
prodigious
pedagogue
demagogue
synagogue
cogent
exigent
AD/AL (to, toward, near)
adapt
adjacent
addict
admire
address
adhere
administer
adore
advice
adjoin
adultery
advocate
allure
alloy
AL/ALI/ALTER (other, another)
alternative
alias
alibi
alien
alter ego
alienation
altruist
altercation
allegory
AM (love)
amateur
amatory
amorous
enamored
amity
paramour
inamorata
amiable
amicable
AMB (to go, to walk)
ambitious
amble
preamble
ambulance
ambulatory
perambulator
circumambulate
AMB/AMPH (around)
amphitheater
ambit
ambiance
ambient
AMB/AMPH (both, more than one)
ambiguous
amphibian
ambivalent
ambidextrous
ANIM (life, mind, soul, spirit)
unanimous
animosity
equanimity
magnanimous
pusillanimous
ANTE (before)
ante
anterior
antecedent
antedate
antebellum
antediluvian
ANTHRO/ANDR (man, human)
anthropology
android
misanthrope
philanthropy
anthropomorphic
philander
androgynous
anthropocentric
ANNU/ENNI (year)
annual
anniversary
biannual
biennial
centennial
annuity
perennial
annals
millennium
ANTI (against)
antidote
antiseptic
antipathy
antipodal
APO (away)
apology
apostle
apocalypse
apogee
apocryphal
apotheosis
apostasy
apoplexy
APT/EPT (skill, fitness, ability)
adapt
aptitude
apt
inept
adept
ARCH/ARCHI (chief, principal)
architect
archenemy
archetype
archipelago
ARCHY (ruler)
monarchy
matriarchy
patriarchy
anarchy
hierarchy
oligarchy
ART (skill, craft)
art
artificial
artifice
artisan
artifact
artful
artless
AUC/AUG/AUX (to increase)
auction
auxiliary
augment
august
AUTO (self)
automatic
autopsy
autocrat
autonomy
BE (to be, to have a certain quality)
belittle
belated
bemoan
befriend
bewilder
begrudge
bequeath
bespeak
belie
beguile
beset
bemuse
bereft
BEL/BELL (war)
rebel
belligerent
bellicose
antebellum
BEN/BON (good)
benefit
beneficiary
beneficent
benefactor
benign
benevolent
benediction
bonus
bon vivant
bona fide
BI (twice, doubly)
binoculars
biannual
biennial
bigamy
bilateral
bilingual
bipartisan
BRI/BREV (brief, short)
brief
abbreviate
abridge
brevity
CAD/CID (to fall, to happen by chance)
accident
coincidence
decadent
cascade
recidivism
cadence
CAND (to burn)
candle
incandescent
candor
CANT/CENT/CHANT (to sing)
chant
enchant
accent
recant
incantation
incentive
CAP/CIP/CEPT (to take, to get)
capture
anticipate
intercept
susceptible
emancipate
recipient
incipient
percipient
precept
CAP/CAPIT/CIPIT (head, headlong)
capital
cape
captain
disciple
principle
principal
precipice
precipitate
precipitous
capitulate
capitalism
precipitation
caption
recapitulate
CARD/CORD/COUR (heart)
cardiac
courage
encourage
concord
discord
accord
concordance
cordial
CARN (flesh)
carnivorous
carnival
carnal
carnage
reincarnation
incarnation
CAST/CHAST (cut)
caste
castigate
chastise
chaste
CAUST (to burn)
caustic
holocaust
CED/CEED/CESS (to go, to yield, to stop)
exceed
precede
recess
concede
cede
access
predecessor
precedent
antecedent
recede
abscess
cessation
incessant
CENTR (center)
central
concentrate
eccentric
concentric
centrifuge
egocentric
CERN/CERT/CRET/CRIM/CRIT (to separate, to judge, to distinguish, to decide)
concern
critic
secret
crime
discreet
ascertain
certitude
hypocrite
discriminate
criterion
discern
recrimination
CHRON (time)
synchronize
chronicle
chronology
chronic
chronological
anachronism
chronometer
CIRCU (around, on all sides)
circumference
circumstances
circuit
circumspect
circumvent
circumnavigate
circumambulate
circumlocution
circumscribe
circuitous
CIS (to cut)
scissors
precise
exorcise
excise
incision
incisive
concise
CIT (to set in motion)
excite
incite
solicit
solicitous
CLA/CLO/CLU (shut, close)
closet
enclose
conclude
claustrophobia
disclose
exclusive
recluse
preclude
seclude
cloister
foreclose
CLAIM/CLAM (to shout, to cry out)
exclaim
proclaim
acclaim
clamor
disclaim
reclaim
declaim
CLI (to lean toward)
decline
recline
climax
proclivity
disinclination
CO/COL/COM/CON (with, together)
connect
confide
concede
coerce
cohesive
cohort
confederate
collaborate
compatible
coherent
comply
conjugal
connubial
congenial
convivial
coalesce
coalition
contrite
conciliate
conclave
commensurate
CRAT/CRACY (to govern)
bureaucracy
democracy
aristocracy
theocracy
plutocracy
autocracy
CRE/CRESC/CRET (to grow)
creation
increase
crescendo
increment
accretion
accrue
CRED (to believe, to trust)
incredible
credibility
credentials
credit
creed
credo
credence
credulity
incredulous
CRYP (hidden)
crypt
cryptic
apocryphal
cryptography
CUB/CUMB (to lie down)
cubicle
succumb
incubate
incumbent
recumbent
CULP (blame)
culprit
culpable
exculpate
inculpate
mea culpa
COUR/CUR (running, a course)
occur
recur
current
curriculum
courier
cursive
excursion
concur
concurrent
incur
incursion
discourse
discursive
precursor
recourse
cursory
DE (away, off, down, completely, reversal)
descend
detract
decipher
deface
defile
defraud
deplete
denounce
decry
defer
defame
delineate
deferential
DEM (people)
democracy
epidemic
endemic
demagogue
demographics
pandemic
DI/DIA (apart, through)
dialogue
diagnose
diameter
dilate
digress
dilatory
diaphanous
dichotomy
dialectic
DIC/DICT/DIT (to say, to tell, to use words)
dictionary
dictate
predict
contradict
verdict
abdicate
edict
dictum
malediction
benediction
indict
indite
diction
interdict
obiter dictum
DIGN (worth)
dignity
dignitary
dignify
deign
indignant
condign
disdain
infra dig
DIS/DIF (away from, apart, reversal, not)
disperse
disseminate
dissipate
dissuade
diffuse
DAC/DOC (to teach)
doctor
doctrine
indoctrinate
doctrinaire
docile
didactic
DOG/DOX (opinion)
orthodox
paradox
dogma
dogmatic
DOL (suffer, pain)
condolence
indolence
doleful
dolorous
DON/DOT/DOW (to give)
donate
donor
pardon
condone
antidote
anecdote
endow
dowry
DUB (doubt)
dubious
dubiety
indubitable
DUC/DUCT (to lead)
conduct
abduct
conducive
seduce
induct
induce
ductile
DUR (hard)
endure
durable
duress
dour
obdurate
DYS (faulty)
dysfunction
dystopia
dyspepsia
dyslexia
EPI (upon)
epidemic
epilogue
epidermis
epistle
epitome
epigram
epithet
epitaph
EQU (equal, even)
equation
adequate
equivalent
equilibrium
equable
equidistant
equity
iniquity
equanimity
equivocate
equivocal
ERR (to wander)
err
error
erratic
erroneous
errant
aberrant
ESCE (becoming)
adolescent
obsolescent
iridescent
luminescent
coalesce
quiescent
acquiescent
effervescent
incandescent
evanescent
convalescent
reminiscent
EU (good, well)
euphoria
euphemism
eulogy
eugenics
euthanasia
euphony
E/EF/EX (out, out of, from, former, completely)
evade
exclude
extricate
exonerate
extort
exhort
expire
exalt
exult
effervesce
extenuate
efface
effusion
egregious
EXTRA (outside of, beyond)
extraordinary
extrasensory
extraneous
extrapolate
FAB/FAM (speak)
fable
fabulous
affable
ineffable
fame
famous
defame
infamous
FAC/FIC/FIG/FAIT/FEIT/FY (to do, to make)
factory
facsimile
benefactor
facile
faction
fiction
factitious
efficient
deficient
proficient
munificent
prolific
soporific
figure
figment
configuration
effigy
magnify
rarefy
ratify
ramification
counterfeit
feign
fait accompli
ex post facto
FER (to bring, to carry, to bear)
offer
transfer
confer
referendum
infer
fertile
proffer
defer
proliferate
vociferous
FERV (to boil, to bubble, to burn)
fervor
ferment
fervid
effervescent
FID (faith, trust)
confide
confident
confidant
affidavit
diffident
fidelity
infidelity
perfidy
fiduciary
infidel
semper fidelis
bona fide
FIN (end)
final
finale
confine
define
definitive
infinite
affinity
infinitesimal
FLAG/FLAM (to burn)
flame
flamboyant
flammable
inflammatory
flagrant
conflagration
in flagrante delicto
FLECT/FLEX (to bend)
deflect
flexible
inflect
reflect
genuflect
FLICT (to strike)
afflict
inflict
conflict
profligate
FLU, FLUX (to flow)
fluid
influence
fluent
affluent
fluctuation
influx
effluence
confluence
superfluous
mellifluous
FORE (before)
foresight
foreshadow
forestall
forgo
forebear
FORT (chance)
fortune
fortunate
fortuitous
FRA/FRAC/FRAG/FRING (to break)
fracture
fraction
fragment
fragile
refraction
fractious
infraction
refractory
infringe
FRUIT/FRUG (fruit, produce)
fruitful
fruition
frugal
FUND/FOUND (bottom)
foundation
fundamental
founder
profound
FUS (to pour)
confuse
transfusion
profuse
effusive
diffuse
suffuse
infusion
GEN (birth, creation, race, kind)
generous
generate
genetics
photogenic
degenerate
homogeneous
genealogy
gender
genre
genesis
carcinogenic
genial
congenial
ingenuous
ingenue
indigenous
congenital
progeny
engender
miscegenation
sui generis
GN/GNO (know)
ignore
ignoramus
recognize
incognito
diagnose
prognosis
agnostic
cognitive
cognoscenti
cognizant
GRAND (big)
grand
grandeur
grandiose
aggrandize
grandiloquent
GRAT (pleasing)
grateful
ingrate
ingratiate
gratuity
gratuitous
GRAV/GRIEV (heavy, serious)
grave
grief
aggrieve
gravity
grievous
GREG (herd)
congregation
segregation
aggregation
gregarious
egregious
GRAD/GRESS (to step)
progress
graduate
gradual
aggressive
regress
degrade
retrograde
transgress
digress
egress
HER/HES (to stick)
coherent
cohesive
adhesive
adherent
inherent
(H)ETERO (different)
heterosexual
heterogeneous
heterodox
(H)OM (same)
homogeneous
homonym
homosexual
anomaly
homeostasis
HYPER (over, excessive)
hyperactive
hyperbole
HYPO (under, beneath, less than)
hypodermic
hypochondriac
hypothesis
hypocritical
ID (one’s own)
idiot
idiom
idiosyncrasy
IM/IN/EM/EN (in, into)
in
embrace
enclose
ingratiate
intrinsic
influx
incarnate
implicit
indigenous
IM/IN (not, without)
inactive
indifferent
innocuous
insipid
indolence
impartial
inept
indigent
INFRA (beneath)
infrastructure
infrared
infrasonic
INTER (between, among)
interstate
interim
interloper
interlude
intermittent
interplay
intersperse
intervene
INTRA (within)
intramural
intrastate
intravenous
JECT (to throw, to throw down)
inject
eject
project
trajectory
conjecture
dejected
abject
JOIN/JUNCT (to meet, to join)
junction
joint
adjoin
subjugate
juxtapose
injunction
rejoinder
conjugal
junta
JUR (to swear)
jury
perjury
abjure
adjure
LECT/LEG (to select, to choose)
collect
elect
select
electorate
predilection
eclectic
elegant
LEV (lift, light, rise)
elevator
relieve
lever
alleviate
levitate
relevant
levee
levity
LOC/LOG/LOQU (word, speech)
dialogue
eloquent
elocution
locution
interlocutor
prologue
epilogue
soliloquy
eulogy
colloquial
grandiloquent
philology
neologism
tautology
loquacious
LUC/LUM/LUS (light)
illustrate
illuminate
luminous
luminescent
illustrious
lackluster
translucent
lucid
elucidate
LUD/LUS (to play)
illusion
ludicrous
delude
elude
elusive
allude
collusion
prelude
interlude
LUT/LUG/LUV (to wash)
lavatory
dilute
pollute
deluge
antediluvian
MAG/MAJ/MAX (big)
magnify
magnitude
major
maximum
majestic
magnanimous
magnate
maxim
magniloquent
MAL/MALE (bad, ill, evil, wrong)
malfunction
malodorous
malicious
malcontent
malign
malaise
dismal
malapropism
maladroit
malevolent
malinger
malfeasance
malefactor
malediction
MAN (hand)
manual
manufacture
emancipate
manifest
mandate
mandatory
MATER/MATR (woman, mother)
matrimony
maternal
maternity
matriculate
matriarch
MIN (small)
minute
minutiae
diminution
miniature
diminish
MIN (to project, to hang over)
eminent
imminent
prominent
preeminent
MIS/MIT (to send)
transmit
manumit
emissary
missive
intermittent
remit
remission
demise
MISC (mixed)
miscellaneous
miscegenation
promiscuous
MON/MONIT (to warn)
monument
monitor
summons
admonish
remonstrate
MORPH (shape)
amorphous
metamorphosis
polymorphous
anthropomorphic
MORT (death)
immortal
morgue
morbid
moribund
mortify
MUT (change)
commute
mutation
mutant
immutable
transmutation
permutation
NAM/NOM/NOUN/NOWN/NYM (rule, order)
astronomy
economy
autonomy
antimony
gastronomy
taxonomy
NAT/NAS/NAI (to be born)
natural
native
naive
cognate
nascent
innate
renaissance
NEC/NIC/NOC/NOX (harm, death)
innocent
noxious
obnoxious
pernicious
internecine
innocuous
necromancy
NOM/NYM/NOUN/NOWN (name)
synonym
anonymous
nominate
pseudonym
misnomer
nomenclature
acronym
homonym
nominal
ignominy
denomination
noun
renown
nom de plume
nom de guerre
NOV/NEO/NOU (new)
novice
novel
novelty
renovate
innovate
neologism
neophyte
nouvelle cuisine
nouveau riche
NOUNC/NUNC (to announce)
announce
pronounce
denounce
renounce
OB/OC/OF/OP (toward, to, against, completely, over)
obese
object
obstruct
obstinate
obscure
obtrude
oblique
oblivious
obnoxious
obstreperous
obtuse
opprobrium
obsequious
obfuscate
OMNI (all)
omnipresent
omniscient
omnipotent
PAC/PEAC (peace)
peace
appease
pacify
pacifist
pacifier
pact
PAN (all, everywhere)
panorama
panacea
panegyric
pantheon
panoply
pandemic
PAR (equal)
par
parity
disparity
disparate
disparage
PARA (next to, beside)
parallel
paraphrase
parasite
paradox
parody
paragon
parable
paradigm
paramilitary
paranoid
paranormal
parapsychology
paralegal
PAS/PAT/PATH (feeling, suffering, disease)
apathy
sympathy
empathy
antipathy
passionate
compassion
compatible
dispassionate
impassive
pathos
pathology
sociopath
psychopath
PATER/PATR (father, support)
patron
patronize
paternal
paternalism
expatriate
patrimony
patriarch
patrician
PO/POV/PAU/PU (few, little, poor)
poor
poverty
paucity
pauper
impoverish
puerile
pusillanimous
PED (child, education)
pedagogue
pediatrician
encyclopedia
PED/POD (foot)
pedal
pedestal
pedestrian
podiatrist
expedite
expedient
impede
impediment
podium
antipodes
PEN/PUN (to pay, to compensate)
penal
penalty
punitive
repent
penance
penitent
penitentiary
repine
impunity
PEND/PENS (to hang, to weigh, to pay)
depend
dispense
expend
stipend
spend
expenditure
suspense
compensate
propensity
pensive
indispensable
impending
pendulum
appendix
append
appendage
ponderous
pendant
PER (completely, wrong)
persistent
perforate
perplex
perspire
peruse
pervade
perjury
perturb
perfunctory
perspicacious
permeate
pernicious
perennial
peremptory
pertinacious
PERI (around)
perimeter
periscope
peripheral
peripatetic
PET/PIT (to go, to seek, to strive)
appetite
compete
petition
perpetual
impetuous
petulant
propitious
PHIL (love)
philosophy
philanthropy
philatelist
philology
bibliophile
PHONE (sound)
telephone
symphony
megaphone
euphony
cacophony
PLAC (to please)
placid
placebo
placate
implacable
complacent
complaisant
PLE (to fill)
complete
deplete
complement
supplement
implement
plethora
replete
PLEX/PLIC/PLY (to fold, to twist, to tangle, to bend)
complex
complexion
complicate
duplex
replica
ply
comply
implicit
implicate
explicit
duplicity
complicity
supplicate
accomplice
explicate
PON/POS/POUND (to put, to place)
component
compound
deposit
dispose
expose
exposition
expound
juxtapose
depose
proponent
repository
transpose
superimpose
PORT (to carry)
import
portable
porter
portfolio
deport
deportment
export
portmanteau
portly
purport
disport
importune
POST (after)
posthumous
posterior
posterity
ex post facto
PRE (before)
precarious
precocious
prelude
premeditate
premonition
presage
presentiment
presume
presuppose
precedent
precept
precipitous
preclude
predilection
preeminent
preempt
prepossess
prerequisite
prerogative
PREHEND/PRISE (to take, to get, to seize)
surprise
comprehend
enterprise
impregnable
reprehensible
apprehension
comprise
apprise
apprehend
comprehensive
reprisal
PRO (much, for, a lot)
prolific
profuse
propitious
prodigious
profligate
prodigal
protracted
proclivity
proliferate
propensity
prodigy
proselytize
propound
provident
prolix
PROB (to prove, to test)
probe
probation
approbation
probity
opprobrium
reprobate
PUG (to fight)
pugilism
pug
pugnacious
impugn
repugnant
PUNC/PUNG/POIGN/POINT (to point, to prick)
point
puncture
punctual
punctuate
pungent
poignant
compunction
expunge
punctilious
QUE/QUIS (to seek)
acquire
acquisition
exquisite
acquisitive
request
conquest
inquire
inquisitive
inquest
query
querulous
perquisite
QUI (quiet)
quiet
disquiet
tranquil
acquiesce
quiescent
RID/RIS (to laugh)
ridicule
derision
risible
ROG (to ask)
interrogate
arrogant
prerogative
abrogate
surrogate
derogatory
arrogate
SAL/SIL/SAULT/SULT (to leap, to jump)
insult
assault
somersault
salient
resilient
insolent
desultory
exult
SACR/SANCT/SECR (sacred)
sacred
sacrifice
sanctuary
sanctify
sanction
execrable
sacrament
sacrilege
SCI (to know)
science
conscious
conscience
unconscionable
omniscient
prescient
conscientious
nescient
SCRIBE/SCRIP (to write)
scribble
describe
script
postscript
prescribe
proscribe
ascribe
inscribe
conscription
scripture
transcript
circumscribe
manuscript
scribe
SE (apart)
select
separate
seduce
seclude
segregate
secede
sequester
sedition
SEC/SEQU (to follow)
second
prosecute
sequel
sequence
consequence
inconsequential
obsequious
nonsequitur
SED/SESS/SID (to sit, to be still, to plan, to plot)
preside
resident
sediment
session
dissident
obsession
residual
sedate
subside
subsidy
subsidiary
sedentary
dissident
insidious
assiduous
sedulous
SENS/SENT (to feel, to be aware)
sense
sensual
sensory
sentiment
resent
consent
dissent
assent
consensus
sentinel
insensate
dissent
sentient
presentiment
SOL (to loosen, to free)
dissolve
soluble
solve
resolve
resolution
irresolute
solvent
dissolution
dissolute
absolution
SPEC/SPIC/SPIT (to look, to see)
perspective
aspect
spectator
specter
spectacles
speculation
suspicious
auspicious
spectrum
specimen
introspection
retrospective
perspective
perspicacious
circumspect
conspicuous
respite
specious
STA/STI (to stand, to be in a place)
static
stationary
destitute
obstinate
obstacle
stalwart
stagnant
steadfast
constitute
constant
stasis
status
status quo
homeostasis
apostasy
SUA (smooth)
suave assuage
persuade
dissuade
SUB/SUP (below)
submissive
subsidiary
subjugate
subliminal
subdue
sublime
subtle
subversive
subterfuge
subordinate
suppress
supposition
SUPER/SUR (above)
surpass
supercilious
superstition
superfluous
superlative
supersede
superficial
surmount
surveillance
survey
TAC/TIC (to be silent)
reticent
tacit
taciturn
TAIN/TEN/TENT/TIN (to hold)
contain
detain
pertain
pertinacious
tenacious
abstention
sustain
tenure
pertinent
tenant
tenable
tenet
sustenance
TEND/TENS/TENT/TENU (to stretch, to thin)
tension
extend
tendency
tendon
tent
tentative
contend
contentious
tendentious
contention
contender
tenuous
distend
attenuate
extenuating
THEO (god)
atheist
apotheosis
theocracy
theology
TOM (to cut)
tome
microtome
epitome
dichotomy
TORT (to twist)
tort
extort
torture
tortuous
TRACT (to drag, to pull, to draw)
tractor
attract
contract
detract
tract
tractable
intractable
protract
abstract
TRANS (across)
transfer
transaction
transparent
transport
transition
transitory
transient
transgress
transcendent
intransigent
traduce
translucent
US/UT (to use)
abuse
usage
utensil
usurp
utility
utilitarian
VEN/VENT (to come, to move toward)
adventure
convene
convenient
event
venturesome
avenue
intervene
advent
contravene
circumvent
VER (truth)
verdict
verify
veracious
verisimilitude
aver
verity
VERS/VERT (to turn)
controversy
revert
subvert
invert
divert
diverse
aversion
extrovert
introvert
inadvertent
versatile
traverse
covert
overt
avert
advert
VI (life)
vivid
vicarious
convivial
viable
vivacity
joie de vivre
bon vivant
VID/VIS (to see)
evident
television
video
vision
provision
adviser
provident
survey
vista
visionary
visage
VOC/VOK (to call)
vocabulary
vocal
provocative
advocate
equivocate
equivocal
vocation
avocation
convoke
vociferous
irrevocable
evocative
revoke
invoke
VOL (to wish)
voluntary
volunteer
volition
malevolent
benevolent