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Identify root words

Revise root words
• A root word is a word that does not have a prefix in front of the word or
a suffix at the end of the word.
• They assist in spelling and meaning of words.
• A dictionary lists words and their meanings. Some words have similar
meanings because they have the same root words.
• A root word is a basic form of the word that may be added to, to make
other words.
Prefixes and suffixes alter the meaning of the root word.
• Example

Root prefix suffix

word

help unhelpful Un ful

agree disagreement dis ment

pose impossible im ible

organise disorganised dis ed

Go deeper in your understanding
• Not all words with the same letters are connected. Some may look like
they have the same root word but they have no link in meaning.
Saint – sail
• Saint has the same first letters as sail but their meanings are not
connected as the letters sai do not represent a word.

Other examples

maid- mail mean – meat

Some simple compound words that are formed from two root
words
sea + horse = seahorse sea + shell=Seashell
clown + fish = clownfish sand+ bank = sandbank
needle + fish= needlefish sea + side = seaside
jelly + fish = jellyfish sea + food = seafood
sea + weed=seaweed fish + bone = fishbone