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 |
| 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 |
