Greek and Latin Roots

​Understanding the meanings of the common word roots can help us deduce the meanings of new words that we encounter. It may help you to successfully tackle the word attack questions in Section A. 

Greek Root Words

The table below defines and illustrates 25 of the most common Greek roots.

Root	Meaning	Examples
anti	against	antibacterial, antidote, antithesis
ast(er)	star	asteroid, astronomy, astronaut
aqu	water	aquarium, aquatic, aqualung
auto	self	automatic, automate, autobiograph
biblio	book	bibliography, bibliophile
bio	life	biography, biology, biodegradable
chrome	color	monochromatic, phytochrome
chrono	time	chronic, synchronize, chronicle
doc	teach	document, docile, doctrinal
dyna	power	dynasty, dynamic, dynamite
geo	earth	geography, geology, geometry
gno	to know	agnostic, acknowledge
graph	write	autograph, graphic, demographic
hydr	water	dehydrate, hydrant, hydropower
kinesis	movement	kinetic, photokinesis
logos	word, study	astrology, biology, theologian
narc	sleep	narcotic, narcolepsy
path	feel	empathy, pathetic, apathy
phil	love	philosophy, bibliophile, philanthropy
phon	sound	microphone, phonograph, telephone
photo	light	photograph, photocopy, photon
schem	plan	scheme, schematic
syn	together, with	synthetic, photosynthesis
tele	far	telescope, telepathy, television
tropos	turning	heliotrope, tropical

Latin Root Words

Thetable below defines and illustrates 25 of the most common Latin roots.

Root	Meaning	Examples
ab	to move away	abstract, abstain, aversion
acer, acri	bitter	acrid, acrimony, exacerbate
audi	hear	audible, audience, auditorium
bene	good	benefit, benign, benefactor
brev	short	abbreviate, brief
circ	round	circus, circulate
dict	say	dictate, edict, dictionary
duc	lead, make	deduce, produce, educate
fund	bottom	founder, foundation, funding
gen	to birth	gene, generate, generous
hab	to have	ability, exhibit, inhabit
jur	law	jury, justice, justify
lev	to lift	levitate, elevate, leverage
log, logue	thought	logic, apologize, analogy
luc, lum	light	lucid, illuminate, translucent
manu	hand	manual, manicure, manipulate
mis, mit	send	missile, transmit, permit
omni	all	omnivorous, omnipotent, omniscent
pac	peace	pacify, pacific, pacifist
port	carry	export, import, important
quit	silent, restive	tranquil, requiem, acquit
scrib, script	to write	script, proscribe, describe
sens	to feel	sensitive, sentient, resent
terr	earth	terrain, territory, extraterrestrial
tim	to fear	timid, timorous
vac	empty	vacuum, vacate, evacuate
vid, vis	to see	video, vivid, invisible