Root Index

Master these building blocks and unlock thousands of words. Each root is a key to a family of related vocabulary.

1000

Total Roots

355

Greek

644

Latin

Pro Tip

Click any root to see its full details, example words, and memory tip. Words often combine multiple roots—mastering roots lets you decode unfamiliar vocabulary instantly.

greek

-athroid-

gathered or lumped together

e.g., epiathroid, hypoathroid

greek

acr-

height, summit, tip

e.g., acrobatics, acromegaly, acronym...

greek

acro

top, height, tip

e.g., acrobat, acronym, acrophobia...

greek

aer

Air

e.g., aerate, aerial, aerospace...

greek

aero-

air, atmosphere

e.g., aerobic, aerodynamic, aeronautics...

greek

AESTH

feeling, sense

e.g., aesthetic, anesthetic, synesthesia...

greek

aesthet

feeling, sensation

e.g., aesthetics, anaesthetic

greek

aether-, ether-

upper pure, bright air

e.g., ether, ethereal, etheric...

greek

ag-, -agogue

lead

e.g., agony, antagonist, antagonize...

greek

agogue

lead

e.g., demagogue, pedagogue, synagogue

greek

AUTO

self

e.g., automatic, autonomy, autobiography...

greek

BIO

life

e.g., biology, biography, antibiotic...

greek

CHRON

time

e.g., chronic, chronicle, chronology...

latin

dict

speak

e.g., contradict, prediction, dictate...

greek

GEO

earth

e.g., geography, geology, geometry...

greek

GRAPH

write, draw

e.g., graphic, autograph, biography...

greek

log

thought

e.g., logic, apologize, analogy...

greek

PHON

sound

e.g., telephone, symphony, phonics...

latin

PORT

carry

e.g., transport, import, export...

greek

PSYCH

mind, soul

e.g., psychology, psyche, psychotic...

latin

PYR

fire

e.g., pyre, pyrotechnics, pyromaniac...

latin

SCOP

look, watch

e.g., telescope, microscope, scope...

latin

scrib

to write

e.g., script, proscribe, describe

greek

SOPH

wisdom

e.g., philosophy, sophisticated, sophomore...

latin

SPEC

look, appear

e.g., inspect, suspect, spectacle...