Root Word Definition

What is The Root Word?

In simple terms, a root word is a word that does not have a prefix or a suffix attached to
it but can have one added in order to modify the meaning of the word. Many root words
in the English language are of a Latin or Greek origin.

 Normal – this word means standard. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be
added are as follows; abnormal, paranormal, normalise.
 Might – this word refers to strength. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be
added are as follows; almighty, mightily.
 Education – this word refers to learning. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be
added are as follows; educational, educationally.
 Legal – this word refers to the law. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be
added are as follows; legally, legality, legalise.
 Mature – this word refers to age. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be added
are as follows; maturity,  immature, immaturity.
 Behave – this word refers to the actions of a person. Some of the suffixes and prefixes
which can be added are as follows; misbehave, behaving, behaviour.
 Fiction – this word refers to made-up details. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which
can be added are as follows; fictional, non-fiction.
 Dress – this verb refers to adding and removing clothes. Some prefixes and suffixes that
can be added are as follows; undress, dressing, dressed.
 Happy – this word refers to a positive emotion. Some prefixes and suffixes which can
be added are as follows; happily, happiest,  unhappy.
 Rational – a word referring to a sensible notion or choice. Some prefixes and suffixes
that can be added are as follows; irrational, rationally, rationalise.
 Fellow – this word refers to men. Some prefixes and suffixes which can be added are as
follows; fellowship.
 Freeze – a word which refers to very cold. Some prefixes and suffixes which can be
added to this word are; freezing, antifreeze.
 Act– this word refers to an action or doing. Some prefixes and suffixes which can be
added to this word are as follows; acting, action, actor.
 Ego – this word refers to the first person. Some prefixes and suffixes which can be
added are as follows; egoist, egocentric.
 Form – this word refers to the shape of something. Some prefixes and suffixes which
can be added are as follows;  conform, formula, reform.
 Phobia – this word relates to fear. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be
added are as follows; arachnophobia, claustrophobia.
 This next selection of root words are words which need a prefix or suffix added on to
create a word. These words usually derive from another language to make a new word
in English.

 Bene – this word refers to good. Some prefixes and suffixes which can be added are as
follows; benevolent, benefactor.
 Astro – this word means stars. Some of the prefixes or suffixes that can be added are
as follows; astronomy, astrophysics, astrology.
 Lingual – this word means language or relating to language. Some of the prefixes or
suffixes that can be added are as follows; bilingual, multilingual.
 Acri – this word means bitter. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be added
are as follows; acrimonious, acrid.
 Auto – this word refers to self. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be added
are as follows; automatic autonomous, autocrat.
 Aud – this word refers to hearing and sound. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which
can be added are as follows; audible, audio.
 Corp – this word refers to a body. Some prefixes and suffixes which can be added are
as follows; corporation, corporal, corpse.
 Cred – this word refers to a belief. Some prefixes and suffixes which can be added are
as follows; credible, credit,  credibility.
 Gen – this word refers to birth. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be added
are as follows; generation, genetic.
 Meter – this word is a measurement reference. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which
can be added are as follows; kilometer, millimeter.
 Micro – this word means small. Some prefixes and suffixes which can be added are as
follows; microwave, microbiology,  microbe.
 Port – this word refers to carrying. Some prefixes and suffixes which can be added are
as follows; portable, transport, porter.
 Sen – this word means old. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be added are
as follows; senile, senator.
 Tele -this word refers to far. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be added are
as follows; television, teleport, telegraph.
 Hypno -this word refers to sleep. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be added
are as follows; hypnotherapy, hypnosis, hypnotism.
 Intra – this word means within something. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can
be added are as follows; intravenous,  intrapersonal.
 Mal – this word means bad. Some of the prefixes and suffixes which can be added are
as follows; malnutrition, malfunction, malice.
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