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