Determine the meanings of words with Greek and Latin roots

Key Notes :

1. Introduction to Roots

Many English words come from Greek and Latin. Understanding common Greek and Latin roots can help you figure out the meaning of new words! It’s like being a word detective!

Understanding Greek and Latin Roots

A root is the main part of a word. It carries the word’s basic meaning. Greek and Latin roots are often used to build many different words. Learning these roots will dramatically increase your vocabulary.

  1. Identify the Root: Look for a familiar Greek or Latin root within the word.
  2. Consider the Context: Think about how the word is used in the sentence.
  3. Break it Down: If there are prefixes or suffixes, try to identify them and determine how they modify the root’s meaning.
  4. Combine Meanings: Put together the meanings of the root, prefix (if any), and suffix (if any) to understand the whole word.
Common Roots and Examples
Aqua (Latin) – water
Aquarium: A tank for keeping fish and other water creatures.
Aquatic: Living or growing in water.
Aqueduct: A structure that carries water over a long distance.		Dict (Latin) – to say
Dictate: To say something aloud to be written down.
Dictionary: A book that says what words mean.
Predict: To say what will happen in the future.
Scrib/Script (Latin) – to write
Scribe: A person who writes things down.
Scribble: To write something quickly and carelessly.
Script: The written text of a play or movie.		Port (Latin) – to carry
Transport: To carry something from one place to another.
Import: To carry goods into a country.
Export: To carry goods out of a country.
Practice Time!

Let’s put your new knowledge to the test! For each word below, identify the root and its meaning. Then, explain how the root helps you understand the meaning of the whole word.

  1. Aquatic
  2. Dictator
  3. Portable
  4. Describe
Next Steps

Continue to practice identifying Greek and Latin roots in new words you encounter. Use a dictionary to confirm your understanding and expand your vocabulary!

List of Determine the meanings of words with Greek and Latin roots

Let’s practice!

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