Greek and Latin roots in English

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The following is an alphabetical list of Greek and Latin roots commonly used in English.

Those used in medicine and medical terminology are not listed here but instead in Wikipedia's List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes.

Contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z— See also — References — External links

A

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
a-, ab-, abs-	from, away from, away, different from, separated from	Latin	ab "away", from Greek apo "away"	abnormal, abrasion, absorb, abstract
a-, an-	not, without	Greek	Greek a-/a?- "a-/an" "not"	atypical, ahistorical
ac-, ak-, acu-	sharp or pointed	Latin	acutus past participle of acuere "to sharpen", from acus "needle"	acid, acupunture
acr-, acro-	height, summit, tip	Greek	Greek ????? ákros "high", "extreme"	acrophobia acrobat, acronym acromegalia
ad-, a-, ac-, af-, ag-, al-, ap-, ar-, as-, at-	movement to or toward; in addition to	Latin	ad "to", "toward"	adapt, advance, affect, ascend
adip-	fat	Latin	adeps, adipis "fat"	adipose
aer-, aero-	air, atmosphere	Greek	aer "air"	aeronautics, aerosol
aesth-	feeling, sensation	Greek	aisthetikos "of sense perception" from aisthanesthai "to perceive"	aesthetics
agr-, agri-	field	Greek and Latin	from Greek agros and Latin ager, agr- "field"	agriculture, pilgrim
am-, amor-	love, loving	Latin	amor "love" from amare "to love"	amateur, amorous
ambi-	both, on both sides	Latin	ambi "on both sides"	ambidextrous, ambivalent
amic-, -imic-	friend	Latin	amicus	amicable, inimical
amphi-	around, about, both, on both sides of, both kinds	Greek	amphi "on both sides"	amphibian
ampl-	ample	Latin	amplus	amplification
ana-	again, against, back	Greek	from Greek prefix ana- "again", "against"	anaphylaxis anabaptist
anima-	breath	Latin	anima "breath"	animal, animation
ann-, -enn-	year, yearly	Latin	annus "year"	annual, anniversary, millennium
ant-, anti-	against, opposed to, preventive	Greek	anti "before" "against"	antibiotic, antibody, antipodes
ante-, anti-	before, in front of, prior to	Latin	Latin from Greek anti "before", "against"	antediluvian, antebellum, anticipate
anth-, antho-	flower	Greek	anthos "flower"	anther, anthology
anthropo-, anthro-	human	Greek	anthropos "man"	anthropology, anthropomorphic
aqu-	water	Latin	aqua	aquarium
ar-	plow, till	Latin	arare	arable
ar-	burn, dry	Latin	arere, "be dry or parched"	arid
archaeo-, archeo-	ancient	Greek	arkhaios "ancient" from arhke "beginning"	archaeology or archeology, archaic
arct- , arcto-	Relating to the North Pole or the region near it; relating to cold; used as the scientific name of some bear species, e.g. ursus arctos horribilis	Greek	arktos "bear"	Arctic Ocean
argent-	silver	Latin	argentum "silver"	argent, Argentina
arthr- , arthro-	joint	Greek	arthon "joint"	arthropod
astr-, astro-	star, star-shaped	Greek	astron "star"	astronomy
athl-	prize	Greek	athlos "contest"	athlete
aud-, audi-	hearing, listening, sound	Latin	audire "to hear"	auditorium, auditory, audio
aug-, auct-	grow, increase	Latin	augere "to increase"	augmentation
aur-	relating to gold, or gold-colored	Latin	aurum "gold"	aureole, aure
auri-	Relating to the ear	Latin	auris "ear"	auricle
aut- auto-	self; directed from within	Greek	a?t?? (autos) "self", "same"	automobile, autonomy
avi-	bird	Latin	avis "bird"	aviary, aviation
axi-	axis	Greek	Latin from Greek axios "worth"	axis, axiology

B

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
bac-	rod-shaped	Latin	from baculum rod	bacilla, bacteria
baro-	weight, pressure	Greek	(barus)	barometer, barograph, baroreceptor
basi-	at the bottom	Greek	from ßa???, to walk, march, ß?s?? "step"	basic, basis
bath-	deep, depth	Greek	ßa??? (bathus), (bathos)	batholith
be-, beat-	bless	Latin	beare, beatus	beatification
bell(i)-	war	Latin	bellum, belli	bellicose, belligerent, antebellum
ben-	good, well	Latin	bene (adverb)	benefit, benign
bi-	two	Latin	bis, "twice"; bini, "in twos"	binocular, bigamy
bib-	drink	Latin	bibere, bibitus	imbibe
bibl-	book	Greek	ß?ß????	bibliography, bible
bi(o)-	life	Greek	ß??? (bios)	biology, biologist, biosphere
blast-	germ, embryo, bud, cell with nucleus	Greek	ß?ast???, "to put forth shoots"	sideroblast
bon(i)-	good	Latin	bonus	bonify, bonitary
bor-	north	Greek / Latin (boreas)	ß???a?, "the north wind"	borealis
botan-	plant	Greek	(botane)	botany
bov-	cow, ox	Latin	bos, bovis	bovine
brachi-, brachio-	arm	Greek	ß?a???? (brachion)	brachial artery
brach-	short	Greek	(brachus)
brad-	slow	Greek	ß?ad?? (bradus)	bradycardia
branch-	gill	Greek	ß?a????? (branchion)	branchiopod
brev(i)-	brief, short (time)	Latin	brevis, breviare	abbreviation, brevity
briz-	nod	Greek	(brizo)
brom-	oats	Greek	ß??µ?? (bromos)
bronch-	windpipe	Greek	ß?????? (bronchos)	bronchitis
bront-	thunder	Greek	ß???t? (bronte)	Brontosaurus
bucc-	cheek, mouth, cavity	Latin	bucca	buccal
bulb-	bulbous	Latin	bulbus	bulbous
bull-	bubble, flask	Latin	bulla, "bubble"	ebullient
burs-	pouch, purse	Latin		bursary, disburse

C

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
cac(o)-	bad	Greek	(kakos)	cacophony
cad-, -cid-, cas-	fall	Latin	cadere	accident, cadence, case
calc-	stone	Latin probably from Greek	from Latin calx "lime", probably from Greek khalix "pebble" "limestone"	calculus, calcite, calcium
calli-	beautiful	Greek	from Greek kallos "beauty"	calligraphy
calor-	heat	Latin	calor "heat"	calorie
calyp-	cover	Greek	(kaluptein)	apocalypse
camer-	vault	Latin	camera	bicameral, camera
camp-	field	Latin	campus "field", "level ground"	champion, campaign
can(i)-	dog	Latin	canis "dog"	canine, Canis Major
can-, cant-	sing	Latin	canere "sing"	canto, cantata, cantor
cand-	glowing, iridescent	Latin	candere "to be white or glisten"	candid, incandescent, candle, candela
cap-, -cip-, capt-, -cept-	take, hold	Latin	capere "take or hold" (note the vowel change from a to i in compounds)	capture, captive, conception, recipient
capit-, -cipit-	head	Latin	caput, capitis "head"	capital, chief, chef
capr-	goat	Latin	caper, capri	Capricorn, caprine
caps-	box, case	Latin	capsa	capsule
carbo-	coal	Latin	carbo, carbonis	carbon
carcer-	jail	Latin	carcer, carcerare	incarceration
carci-	cancer (disease)	Latin from Greek	Latin from Greek karkinos "crab"	carcinoma
cardi(o)-	relating to the heart	Greek	kardia "heart"	[cardiology]], cardiograph
cardin-	hinge	Latin	cardo, cardinis	cardinal
carn-	flesh	Latin	caro, carnis	carnival, carnivore
carpo-	relating to fruit	Greek	from Greek karpos "fruit"	carpology
carp-	relating to the wrist	Greek	from Greek karpos "wrist"	carpal, carpal tunnel syndrome
cata-	down	Greek	kata "down"	catastrophe, catatonia
caten-	chain	Latin	catena	concatenation
cathar-	pure	Greek	(katharos)	catharsis
caud-	tail	Latin	cauda	caudal
cav-	hollow	Latin	cavus "hollow"	cave, cavity, excavation
ced-, cess-	go	Latin	cedere	procession, recede
celer-	quick	Latin	celer, celerare	acceleration, celerity
cen(o)-	new	Greek	(kainos)
cen(o)-	common	Greek	(koinos)
cens-		Latin	censere	census
cent-	hundred	Latin	centum "hundred"	cent, centennial, centurion
centen-	hundred each	Latin	centeni	centenary
centesim-	hundredth	Latin	centesimus	centesimal, centesimation
centr-	center	Greek	(kentron)	eccentric
cephalo-	head	Greek	from Greek kephale "head"	cephalopod, encephalogram
ceram-	clay	Greek	(keramos)	ceramic
cerat-	horn	Greek	from Greek keras "horn"	ceratin, cornea
cern-		Latin	cernere	discern
cervic-	relating to the neck, relating to the cervix	Latin	cervix, cervicis "neck"	cervix, cervical
ceter-	other	Latin	ceterus	et cetera
chiro-	of the hand or hands	Greek	from Greek kheir "hand"	chiroptera, chiropractic
chelo-	relating to a turtle	Greek	from Greek khelone "tortoise"	chelonia
chloro-	green	Greek	from Greek khloros "green"	chlorine, chlorophyll
choreo-	relating to dance	Greek	from Greek khoreia "dancing in unison" from khoros "chorus"	choreography
chord-	cord	Latin	chorda "rope"	chordata
chrom-	color	Greek	khroma "color"	chromosome, chromium
chryso-	gold	Greek	khrusos "gold"	chrysolite
cili-	eyelash	Latin	cilium	cilia
cine-	motion	Greek	(kine-)	cinema
ciner-	ash	Latin	cinis, cineris	incineration
cing-, cinct-	gird	Latin	cingere	succinct
circ-	circle	Latin	circus	circus
circum-	around	Latin	circum "around"	circumference
cirr-	orange	Greek	kirros	cirrhosis
cirr-	curl, tentacle	Latin	cirrus	cirrus
civ-	citizen	Latin	civis	civility
clad-	branch	Greek	(klados)
clar-	clear	Latin	clarus	clarity, declaration
clast-	broken	Greek	klastos "broken"	iconoclast
claud-, -clud-, claus-, -clus-	close	Latin	claudere	clause, exclusion
clav-	key	Greek	from Greek kleis "key" from kleiein "to close"	conclave
cl(e)ist-	closed
cleithr-	bar, key
clement-	mild	Latin	clemens, clementis	clemency, inclement
clin-	bed, lean, recline	Latin	-clinare	declination, inclined
cochl-	shell	Greek
coel-	hollow	Greek	(koilos)
cogn-	know	Latin		cognitive
col-	strain	Latin	colare, colum	colander
coll-	neck	Latin	collum	collar
color-	color	Latin	color	coloration
con-, co-, col-, com-	with, together, joined	Latin	cum	connect, collide, compress
condi-	season	Latin	condire	condiment
cono-	cone	Greek	konos	conic, conical
contra-	against	Latin	contra	contrast
copro-	dung	Greek	(kopros)	coprolite, coprophagia, coprophilia
corac-	raven	Greek	(korax, korakos)	coracoid
cord-	heart	Latin	cor, cordis	accord, cordial
corn-	horn	Latin	cornu	cornucopia
coron-	crown	Latin	corona, coronare	corona, coronation
corpor-	body	Latin	corpus, corporis	corporation, corpse
cortic-	bark	Latin	cortex, corticis
cosmet-		Greek	(kosmet-)	cosmetics, cosmetology
cost-	rib	Latin	costa	costal
cotyl-	cup	Greek	(kotule)	cotyledon
crani-	skull			cranium
crass-	thick	Latin	crassus	crassitude
cre-	make	Latin	creare	creation, creature
crep-	boot, shoe	Greek	(krepis, krepidos)
cribi-	sieve
cric-	ring
cris-, crit-	judge	Greek		crisis, critic
crisp-	curled	Latin	crispus
crist-	crest
crosso-	fringe, tassel	Greek	(krossoi)
cru(rals)-	shank
cruc(i)-	cross	Latin	crux, crucis	crucial, crucifix, crucify
crypt-	hidden	Greek	(kruptos)	cryptic, cryptography
cten-	comb	Greek	(kteis, ktenos)
cub-	cube	Greek	(kubos)	cubic, cuboid
cub-	lie	Latin	cubare	incubation
culin-	kitchen	Latin	culina	culinary
culp-	blame, fault	Latin	culpa	culpable, exculpate
cune-	wedge	Latin	cuneus	cuneiform
curr-, curs-	run	Latin	currere	concurrent, recursion
curv-	bent	Latin	curvus	curvature
cusp-	lance, point	Latin	cuspis, cuspidis	bicuspid
cut(i)-	skin	Latin	cutis	cuticle
cyan-	blue	Greek	??a??? (kuanos)	cyanide
cycl-	circular	Greek	?????? (kuklos)	bicycle, cycle, cyclone
cylind-	roll	Greek	(kulindros)	cylinder
cyn-	dog	Greek	(kuon, kunos)	cynosure
cyst-	capsule	Greek	(kustis)	cystic
cyt(o)-	cell	Greek	(kutos)	cytoplasm

D

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
dactyl-	finger	Greek	d??t???, finger	dactylology, pterodactyl
damn-, -demn-		Latin	damnare	condemn, damnation
deb-	owe	Latin	debere, debitus	debit
deci-	tenth part	Latin	decimus, tenth; from decem, ten	decibel, decimate
deca-, dec-, deka-, dek-	ten	Greek	deka, ten	decagram, decahedron
delt-		Greek	(delta)	deltoid
dem-	people	Greek	demos, people	demagogue, democracy
den-	ten each	Latin	deni	denary
dendr-, dendro-	resembling a tree	Greek	dendron: akin to drys, tree	dendrite
dens-	thick	Latin	densus	condense, density
dent-	tooth	Latin	dens, dentis	dental, dentures
derm-	skin	Greek	d??µa (derma) skin	hypodermic
deuter-	second	Greek	de?te??? (deuteros) "second"	Deuteronomy
dexter-	right	Latin	dexter	dexterity
dextro-	right	Greek	de?-, right
di-	two	Greek		dicot
dia-	apart, through	Greek	d?a	diameter
dict-	say, speak	Latin	dicere, dictus	dictation
digit-	finger	Latin	digitus	digital
dino-	terrible, fearfully great	Greek	(deinos)	dinosaur
dipl-		Greek		diploid, diplosis
doc-, doct-	teach	Latin	docere, doctus	docile, doctor
dodec-	twelve	Greek	d?de?a (dodeka)	dodecasyllabic
dog-, dox-	opinion, teaching	Greek		dogmatic
dom-		Latin	domus	dome
dorm-	sleep	Latin	dormire	dormant, dormitory
dors-	back	Latin	dorsum	dorsal
du-	two	Latin	duo	dual
dub-	doubtful	Latin		dubious
duc-, duct-	lead	Latin	dux	abduction, conductor, introduce
dulc-	sweet	Latin	dulcis
dur-	hard	Latin	durus	durable
dy-	two	Greek	(duo)	dyad
dys-	badly, ill	Greek	d?s	dysentery

E

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
ec-	out	Greek	(ek)	eccentric
eco-	house	Greek	(oikos)	ecology, economics, ecumenism
ecto-	outside	Greek	(ektos)	ectoderm
ed-, es-	eat	Latin	edere, esus	edible
ego-	self			egocentric
em-, empt-	buy	Latin	emere, emptus	exemption, redeem
eme-	vomit	Greek	(emetos)	emetic
emul-		Latin	aemulus, aemulare	emulation
en-, em-	in	Greek	(en)	emphasis
endo-	inside	Greek	(endo)	endocrine
engy-	narrow	Greek
ennea-	nine	Greek	(ennea)	ennead, enneagon
ens-	sword	Latin	ensis
eo-	dawn, east	Greek
epi-, ep-	upon	Greek	(epi)	epicenter, epoch
epistem-	knowledge or science	Greek
equ-, -iqu-	even, level	Latin	aequus	equal
equ-	horse	Latin	equus	equestrian
erg-	work	Greek	(ergon)	ergonomics
err-	stray	Latin	errare	aberration, errant
erythr(o)-	red	Greek	e?????? (eruthros)	erythrocyte
eso-	within	Greek	(eso)	esoteric
eth-		Greek	e??? (ethos)
ethm-	sieve	Greek
ethn-		Greek	(ethnos)	ethnic
etym(o)-	true	Greek	(etumos)	etymology
eu-	well	Greek	(eu)	euphoria
eur-	wide	Greek	(eurus)
ex-, e-, ef-	from, out of	Latin	ex	exclude, extrude, extend
exo-	outside	Greek		exothermic
exter-, extra-	outer	Latin		exterior
extrem-		Latin	extremus	extremity

F

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
fab-	bean	Latin	faba
fac-, -fic-, fact, -fect-	make	Latin	facere, factus	defect, factory, manufacture
falc-	sickle	Latin	falx, falcis	falciform
fall-, -fell-, fals-		Latin	fallere, falsus	falsity
fallac-	false	Latin	fallax, fallacis	fallacy
famili-		Latin		familiarity
fant-	to show	Greek		fantasy
fasc-	bundle	Latin	fascis	fascicle
fatu-	foolish, useless	Latin	fatuus	fatuous, infatuate
feder-		Latin	foedus, foederis	confederation, federal
fel-	cat	Latin	feles	feline
felic-	happy, merry	Latin	felix, felicis	felicity
fell-	suck	Latin	fellare	fellation
femin-	women, quality or condition of being female	Latin	femina	femininity
femor-	thigh	Latin	femur, femoris	femoral
fend-, fens-		Latin	fendere	defend, offense
fenestr-	window	Latin	fenestra	fenestration
fer-	carry	Latin	ferre	reference, transfer
feroc-	fierce	Latin	ferox, ferocis	ferocity
ferr-	iron	Latin	ferrum	ferrous
fet-	stink	Latin	fetere	fetid
fic-	fig	Latin	ficus
fid-	faith, trust	Latin	fides	confide
fil-	thread	Latin	filum	filament
fili-		Latin	filius	affiliate
find-, fiss-	split	Latin	findere	fission
firm-		Latin	firmus, firmare	confirmation
fistul-	hollow, tube	Latin		fistule
fl-	blow	Latin	flare	flatulence, inflation
flacc-	flabby	Latin	flaccus	flaccid
flav-	yellow	Latin	flavus	flavonoid
flect-, flex-	bend	Latin	flectere, flexus	flexor, inflection
flig-, flict-	strike	Latin	fligere	inflict
flor-	flower	Latin	flos, floris	floral, florid
flu-, flux-	flow	Latin	fluere, fluxus	effluent, fluency, influx
foc-	hearth	Latin	focus	focal
fod-, foss-	dig	Latin	fodere, fossus	fossil
foen-	hay
foli-	leaf	Latin	folium	defoliate
font-	spring	Latin	fons, fontis
for-	bore	Latin	forare	perforation
form-	shape	Latin	forma	deformity, formation
fornic-	vault	Latin	fornix, fornicis	fornication
fort-	strong	Latin	fortis	fortification
fovea-	shallow round depression
frang-, -fring-, fract-, frag-	break	Latin	frangere	fracture, fragment, infringe
frater-, fratr-	brother	Latin	frater	fraternity
fric-, frict-	rub	Latin	fricare	dentifrice, friction
frig-	cold	Latin	frigere	frigid
front-	forehead	Latin	frons, frontis	confront, frontal
fruct-, frug-	fruit	Latin	frux, fructis	fructose
fug-, fugit-	flee	Latin	fugere	centrifuge, fugitive, refuge
fum-	smoke	Latin	fumus	fume, fumigate
fund-	bottom	Latin	fundus, fundare	fundamental, profundity
fund-, fus-	pour	Latin	fundere, fusus	profusion
fung-, funct-	do	Latin	fungi	function
fur-, furt-	steal	Latin	furare	furtive
furc-	fork	Latin	furca	bifurcation
fusc-	dark	Latin	fuscus	obfuscation

G

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
galact-	milk	Greek	(gala, galaktos)	galactic
gastr-	stomach	Greek	(gaster)	gastric, gastroenterologist
ge(o)-	earth	Greek	?? (ge)	geology
gel-	icy cold	Latin	gelum	gelatin
ger-, gest-	bear, carry	Latin	gerere, gestus	digest, gestation
germin-	sprout	Latin	germen, germinis	germination
glabr-	hairless	Latin	glaber	glabrous
glaci-	ice	Latin	glacies	glacier
gladi-	sword	Latin	gladius	gladiator
glob-		Latin	globus	global, globule
glori-	glory	Latin	gloria	glorify
glutin-	glue	Latin	gluten, glutinis	agglutination
grad-, -gred-, gress-	walk, step, go	Latin	gradus, gradere, gressus	grade, regress
gramm-	letter	Greek	??aµµa (gramma)	grammatic
gran-	grain	Latin	granum	granary, granule
grand-	grand	Latin	grandis	grandiloquous
graph-	draw, write	Greek	(graphe)	graphic, graphology
grat-	thank, please	Latin	gratus	gratitude
grav-	heavy	Latin	gravis	gravity
greg-	flock	Latin	grex, gregis	gregarious, segregation
gubern-	govern, pilot	Latin	gubernare	gubernatorial
gust-	taste	Latin	gustus	gusto
guttur-	throat	Latin	guttur	guttural
gymn-	nude	Greek	(gymnos)	gymnasium

H

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
haem-	blood	Greek	??µa (haima)	haemophilia
hal-	salt	Greek	(hals)	halogen
hal-, -hel-	breathe	Latin	halare, halatus	anhelation, inhale
hapl-	simple	Greek	(haplos)	haploid
haur-, haust-	draw	Latin	haurire, haustus	exhaust
heli(o)-	sun	Greek	?????	helium,heliotrope
hemi-	half	Greek	?µ?s?? (hemisus)	hemisphere
hen-	one	Greek	?? (hen)	henad, hyphen
hendec-	eleven	Greek	??de?a (hendeka)	hendecagon
hept-	seven	Greek	(hepta)	heptagon
her-, hes-	cling	Latin	haerere, haesus	adhesive, coherent
herb-	grass	Latin	herba	herbicide
herp-	creep	Greek		herpetology
heter(o)-	different, other	Greek	?te??? (heteros)	heterodox
heur-	find	Greek	????s??	heuristic
hex-	six	Greek	?? (hex)	hexagon
hibern-	wintry	Latin	hibernus	hibernation
hiem-	winter	Latin	hiems	hiemal
hipp-	horse	Greek	?pp?? (hippos)	hippodrome
hirsu[t]-	hairy	Latin	hirtus, hirsutus	hirsute
hispid-	bristly	Latin	hispidus
histri-	actor			histrionic
hod-	way	Greek	?d?? (hodos)	cathode
hol-	whole	Greek	(holos)	holistic
hom(o)-	same	Greek	(homos)	homosexual
homeo-	like	Greek	(homoios)
homin-	human	Latin	homo, hominis	hominid
homal-	even, flat	Greek	(homalos)	anomalous
horm-	that which excites	Greek		hormone
hort(i)-	garden	Latin	hortus	horticulture
hum-	ground	Latin	humus	exhumation
hyal-	glass	Greek	(hualos)	hyaline, hyaloid
hydr(o)-	water	Greek	?d??	hydrology, hydrologist, Hydrogen, Hydrate, dehydrate, Hydrophobia, hydroponic, hydraulic, Hydrolysis, hydrous, hydrophilic
hygr-	wet	Greek	(hugros)	hygrology
hyo-	U-shaped	Greek
hyp(o)-	under	Greek	?p? (hupo)	hyphen
hyper-	above, over	Greek	?pe?(huper)
hypn-	sleep	Greek	?p??? (hupnos)	hypnosis
hyster-	later	Greek	?ste??? (husteros)	hysteresis

I

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
ichth-	fish	Greek	(ichthus)	ichthyology
icos-	twenty	Greek	(eikosi)	icosagon, icosahedron
id(o)-	shape	Greek	(eidos)	idol
idi(o)-	personal	Greek	(idios)	idiom, idiosyncrasy, idiot
ign-	fire	Latin	ignis	igneous, ignition
in- (1), im-	in, on	Latin	in	invite, incur, intend
in- (2), il-, im-, ir-	in, un- (negation)	Latin	in-	illicit, impossible, inimical, irrational
infra-	under	Latin	infra	infrastructure
insul-	island	Latin	insula	insular, insulation
inter-	among, between	Latin	inter (preposition) - among, between	intermission, intercollegiate, intercourse
intra-	within	Latin	intra	intracollegiate
irasc-, irat-	be angry	Latin	irasci	irascible, irate
is(o)-	equal, the same	Greek	(isos)	isomorphic, isometric
-(i)tat-	property of, quality of	Latin		quality, liberty
iter-	again	Latin	iterum	iteration
itin-	route, way	Latin	iter, itinis - march, journey	itinerary

J

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
jac-	lie	Latin	jacere "to be thrown"	adjacent
jac- (originally IAC), -ject-	cast, throw	Latin	iacio, iacere, ieci, iectus - "to throw" (and cognates thereof)	eject, interject, ejaculate, trajectory
jan-	door	Latin	janua	janitor
joc-	joke	Latin	jocus	jocularity
jug-	yoke	Latin	jugare, jugum	conjugal, subjugate
jung-, junct-	join	Latin	jungere, junctus	conjunction, juncture
junior-	younger	Latin	junior	juniority
jus-, jur, judic (originally IVS)	law, justice	Latin	ius, iuris; iudex, iudicis; iusticia, iusticiae, etc.	justice, jury, judge
juv-, jut-	help	Latin	juvare, jutus	adjutant
juven-	young, youth	Latin	juvenis	juvenile, rejuvenate
juxta-	beside, near	Latin	juxta	juxtaposition

K

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
kil(o)-	thousand	Greek	chilioi	kilogram, kilometer, kilobyte
kine-	movement, motion	Greek		telekinesis, kinetic energy, kinesthetic
klept-	steal	Greek	(kleptes)	kleptomania
kudo-	glory	Greek	(kudos)	kudos

L

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
lab-, laps-	slide, slip	Latin	labi, lapsus	elapse, relapse
labi-	lip	Latin	labia, labiae	bilabial, labial
labor-	toil	Latin	labor	collaboration, elaboration
lacer-	tear	Latin	lacer	laceration
lacrim-	cry, tears	Latin	lacrima "tear"	lacrimal, lacrimous
lact-	milk	Latin	lac, lactis, lactare	lactate, lactation, lactose
lamin-	layer, slice	Latin	lamina	laminate, lamination
lamp-	shine	Greek	lampas "torch"	lamp
lapid-	stone	Latin	lapis, lapidis	lapidary
larg-	large	Latin	largus	enlargement
larv-	ghost, mask	Latin	larva	larva, larvae, larval
lat(i)-	broad, wide	Latin	latus	latitude
later-	side	Latin	latus, lateris	bilateral
laud-, laus-	praise	Latin	laudere	laud
lav-	wash	Latin	lavare	lavatory
lax-		Latin	laxus, laxare	laxative, relaxation
led-, les-	hurt	Latin	laedere, laesus	lesion
leio-	smooth	Greek	leios	leiomyoma
leni-	gentle	Latin	lenis, lenire	leniency
leon-	lion	Latin	leo, leonis "lion"	Leo, leonine, Leopold
lep-	flake, scale	Greek	lepis	Lepidoptera
leuc(o)-, leuk(o)-	white	Greek	leukos	leucocyte
lev-	lift, light	Latin	levis "light" (in weight), levare	elevator, levitation
liber-	free	Latin	liber, liberare	liberation
libr-	book	Latin	liber	library
lig-	bind	Latin	ligare	ligament, ligature
lin-	line	Latin	linea	linearity, line
lingu-	language, tongue	Latin	lingua tongue, language	bilingual, linguistic
linqu-, lict-	leave	Latin	linquere	relict, relinquish
lip(o)-	fat	Greek	lipos	lipolysis
liter-	letter	Latin	littera	alliteration, literal, obliterate
lith(o)-	stone	Greek	lithos "stone"	monolith, Neolithic Era, lithosphere
loc-	place	Latin	locus	local, location
log-	thought, word	Greek	logos "word"	monologue, logic, morphological
long-	long	Latin	longus	elongate, longitude
loqu-, locut-	speak	Latin	loqui	allocution, eloquent
luc-	bright, light	Latin	lux, lucis light	Lucifer (bearer of light)
lud-, lus-	play	Latin	ludere	allude, illusion
lumin-	light	Latin	lumen, luminis	illumination, luminous
lun-	moon	Latin	luna "moon"	lunar, lunatic

M

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
macr-	long	Greek	µa???? (makros)	macron
magn-	great, large	Latin	magnus	magnanimous, magnificent
maj-	greater	Latin	major, majus	majesty, majority, majuscule
mal-	bad, wretched	Latin	malus	malicious, malign, malfeasance
mamm-	breast	Latin	mamma	mammary, mammal
man-	flow	Latin	manare	emanate
man-	stay	Latin	manere, mansus	permanent, remanent
mand-	hand	Latin	mandare, mandatus	mandate, remand
manu-	hand	Latin	manus	manual, manuscript
mar-	sea	Latin	mare, maris	marine, maritime
mater-, matr-	mother	Latin	mater, matris	matrix
maxim-	greatest	Latin	maximus	maximal
medi-, -midi-	middle	Latin	medius	median, medieval
meg-	great, large	Greek	(megas)	megaphone
mei-		Greek		meiosis
melan-	black, dark	Greek	µ??a? (melas)	Melanesia, melanoma
melior-	better	Latin	melior	amelioration
mell-	honey	Latin	mel, mellis	mellifluous
mening-	membrane	Greek	(meninx)
ment-	mind	Latin	mens, mentis	demented, mentality
mer-	part	Greek	(meros)	polymer
merc-		Latin	merx, mercis	mercantile, merchant
merg-, mers-	dip, plunge	Latin	mergere	emerge, immersion
mes-	middle	Greek	(mesos)	mesolithic, mesozoic
meter-, metr-	measure	Greek	(metron)	metric, thermometer
meta-	above, among, beyond	Greek	(meta)	metaphysics
micr(o)-	small	Greek	(mikros)	microphone, microscope
milit-	soldier	Latin	miles, militis	military, militia
mill-	thousand	Latin	mille	millennium, million
millen-	thousand each	Latin	milleni	millenary
mim-		Greek	(mimos)	mime, mimic
min-	jut	Latin	minere	prominent
min-	less, smaller	Latin	minor, minus	minority, minuscule
mir-	wonder, amazement	Latin	miror, mirari, miratus sum	miracle, mirror, admire
mis-	hate	Greek	(misos)	misandry, misogyny
misce-, mixt-	mix	Latin	miscere	miscellaneous, mixture
mit-	thread	Greek	(mitos)	mitochondrion
mitt-, miss-	send	Latin	mittere	intermittent, transmission
mne-	memory	Greek		mnemonic
mol-	grind	Latin	mola	molar
moll-	soft	Latin	mollis	emollient, mollify
mon(o)-	one	Greek	(monos)	monolith, monotone, monism
mont-	mountain	Latin	mons, montis	Montana
morph-	form, shape	Greek	(morphe)	morpheme, anthropomorphic, morphology
mort-	death	Latin	mors, mortis	immortal, mortality
mov-, mot-	move, motion	Latin	moveo, movere	move, motor, momentum
mulg-, muls-	milk	Latin	mulgere	emulsion
mult(i)-	many, much	Latin	multus	multitude, multiple, multiplex
mur-	wall	Latin	murus, muri	immured, mural
mus-	thief	Latin	mus, muris	mouse
musc-	fly	Latin	musca, muscae
mut-	change	Latin	mutare	mutation
my-	mouse	Greek	(mus)
myri-	countless, ten thousand	Greek	(murios)	myriad
myth-	story	Greek	(muthos)	mythic, mythology
myx-	slime	Greek	(muxa)
myz-	suck	Greek

meno- moon

mica- grain (Latin) e.g. 'micelle'

monil- string of beads

N

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
nar-	nostril	Latin	naris
narc-	numb	Greek		narcosis, narcotic
narr-	tell	Latin	narrare	narrative
nas-	nose	Latin	nasus	nasal
nasc-, nat-	born	Latin	nascere, natus	nascent, native
naut-	ship	Greek	(naus)	astronaut
nav-	ship	Latin	navis	naval
ne(o)-	new	Greek	(neos)	neologism
necr(o)-	dead	Greek	(nekros)	necrophobia
nect-, nex-	join, tie	Latin	nectere, nexus	connection
necto-, nect-	swimming	Greek	nektos	nectopod
neg-	say no	Latin	negare	negative
nema-	hair	Greek
nemoral-	in woods
nephr-	kidney	Greek		nephritis
nes-	island	Greek	(nesos)	Polynesia
neur-	nerve	Greek	(neuron)	neurology, neurosurgeon
nict-	wink	Latin	nictari	nictation
nigr-	black	Latin	niger	denigrate
nihil-	nothing	Latin	nihilum	annihilation
noct-	night	Latin	nox, noctis	nocturnal
nod-	knot	Latin	nodus	node, nodule
nom-	arrangement, law	Greek	(nomos)
nomad-		Greek	(nomas)	nomadic
nomin-	name	Latin	nomen, nominis	nomination
non-	not	Latin	non
non-	ninth	Latin	nonus	nonary
nonagen-	ninety each	Latin	nonageni	nonagenary
nonagesim-	ninetieth	Latin	nonagesimus	nonagesimal
noth-	spurious
noto-	back, south	Greek	(noton)
nov-	nine	Latin	novem	novennial
nov-	new	Latin	novus	innovation, nova
noven-	nine each	Latin	noveni	novenary
novendec-	nineteen	Latin	novendecim
nu-	nod	Latin
nub-		Latin	nubes, nubis
nuc-	nut	Latin	nux, nucis
nuch-	back of neck
nud-	naked	Latin	nudus	denude, nudity
null(i)-	none	Latin	nullus	nullify
numer-	number	Latin	numerus	numeral
-nounc-, -nunci-	announce	Latin	nuntius
nupti-		Latin
nutri-	nourish	Latin		nutrient

O

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
ob-, os-	against	Latin		obstinate, ostentatious, obstreperous
oct-	eight	Greek	(okto)	octagon, octahedron
oct-	eight	Latin	octo	octangular, octennial, octovir
octav-	eighth	Latin	octavus	octaval
octogen-	eighty each	Latin	octogeni	octogenary
octogesim-	eightieth	Latin	octogesimus	octogesimal
octon-	eight each	Latin	octoni	octonary
ocul-	eye	Latin	oculus	ocular
od-	hate	Latin	odium	odious
-ode-	path, way	Greek		anode, odometer
odont-	tooth	Greek	(odous)	odontology
odor-	fragrant
oecious-	house of	Greek	(oikos)
oed-	swollen
oen-	wine	Greek	(oinos)
oesoph-	gullet	Greek	(oisophagos)
ogdo-	eighth	Greek	(ogdoos)
-oid	like	Greek	(-oeides)
olecran-	skull of elbow
ole-	oily	Latin
olig-	few	Greek	(oligos)	oligarchy
oliv-	olive	Latin	oliva
-ology	study of	Greek		paleontology
-oma	cancer	Greek
omas-	paunch	Latin	omasum
oment-	fat skin	Latin	omentum
omin-		Latin	omen, ominis	ominous
omm-	eye
omni-	all	Latin	omnis	omnipotence
omo-	shoulder	Latin
omphal-	navel	Greek		omphalectomy
oner-	burden	Latin	onus, oneris	onerous
onom-	name	Greek	???µa (onoma)	onomatopoeia
ont-	existing	Greek		ontology
-onym	name	Greek	(-onum)	pseudonym
oo-	egg	Greek	(oion)
opac-	shady	Latin	opacus	opacity
oper-	work	Latin	opus, operis	opera
opt-	choose	Latin	optare	optional
optim-	best	Latin	optimus	optimum
op(t)-	eye	Greek	optos	optical
operculum-	little cover
ophi-	snake	Greek	ophis
ophthalm-	eye	Greek	(ophthalmos)	ophthalmology
opisth-	behind	Greek
opoter-	either
or-	mouth	Latin	os, oris	oral, orator
orb-	circle	Latin	orbis	orbit
orch-	testicle
ordin-		Latin	ordo, ordinis	ordinal, ordinary
ori-	Eastern	Latin	oriri	orient
orn-		Latin	ornare	ornament, ornate
ornith-	bird	Greek		ornithology
orth-	straight	Greek	(orthos)	orthosis
os(ti)-	mouth
os(s/t)-	bone			osteoporosis
oscill-	swing	Latin		oscillation
ostrac-	shell	Greek		ostracize
ot-	ear	Greek		otology
ov-	egg	Latin	ovum	oval, ovule
ovi-	sheep	Latin	ovis	ovine
oxy-	sharp, pointed	Greek	(oxus)	oxymoron

P

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
pac-	peace	Latin	pax, pacis	pacify, pacifist
pach-	thick	Greek	(pachus)	pachydermata
paed-	child	Greek	pa??, pa?d?? (pais, paidos)	paediatric
pagin-	page	Latin	pagina	pagination
pal-	stake	Latin	palus	impale
palae-, pale-	ancient, old	Greek	(palaios)	paleontology
palin-	back	Greek	pa??? (palin)	palindrome
pall-	pale	Latin	pallere	pallid, pallor
palli-	mantle	Latin	pallium
palm-	palm	Latin	palma	palmate
palustri-	in marshes
pan-, pam-	all	Greek	pa? (pas)	pandemic
pand-, pans-	spread	Latin	pandere, pansus	expand, expansion
par(a)-	beside, near	Greek	pa?a (para)	parallel, parameter
pariet-	wall	Latin	paries, parietis	parietal
part(i)-	part	Latin	pars, partis	partition
parv-	little	Latin	parvus
pass-	pace, step	Latin	passus
pat-	be open	Latin	patere	patent
path-	to feel, hurt	Greek	pa??? (pathos)	pathetic, pathology
pati-, pass-		Latin	pati, passus	passive, patient
patr-	father	Latin	pater, patris
pauc-		Latin	paucus	paucity
pav-		Latin		pavement
pecc-	sin	Latin	peccare	impeccable
pect-	fixed	Greek		pectin
pector-	chest	Latin	pectus, pectoris	pectoral
pectin-	comb-like
pecun-		Latin	pecunia	pecuniary
ped-	child	Greek	pa??, pa?d?? (pais, paidos)	pedagogy
ped-	foot	Latin	pes, pedis	pedal
pejor-	worse	Latin	pejor	pejorative
pel-, puls-	drive	Latin	pellere	propellent, propulsion
pen-	almost	Latin	paene	peninsula, penultimate, penumbra
pend-, pens-	hang	Latin	pendere	suspend
penia-	deficiency	Latin
penn-, pinn-	feather	Latin	penna	pennate
pent-	five	Greek	(pente)	pentagon
pentecost-	fiftieth	Greek	(pentekostos)	pentecostalism
pept-		Greek		peptic
per-	thoroughly, through	Latin	per	perfect
peran-	across, beyond	Greek
peri-	around	Greek		perimeter, periscope
persic-	peach
pessim-	worst	Latin	pessimus	pessimal
pet-		Latin	petere	appetite, competition
petr-	rock	Greek	(petra)	petroglyph
phaeo-	dark
phag-	eat	Greek	fa?e?? phagein	sarcophagus
phalan(g/x)-	close formation of troops
phalar-	shining
phanero-	visible	Greek	fa?e???
pher-	bear, carry	Greek	fe??	pheromone
philia-	love, friendship	Greek	f???a
phleg-		Greek
phloe-	tree bark
phob-	fear	Greek	f?ß?? (phobos)
phon-	sound	Greek	f??? (phone)	microphone, phonograph
phor-	carry	Greek	(phoros)	metaphor
phos-, phot-	light	Greek	f??	photograph
phragm-	fence	Greek	(phragma)	diaphragm
phren-	diaphragm, mind
phryno-	toad, toad-like
phyl-	tribe
phyll-	leaf	Greek	(phullon)	chlorophyll
physa-	bladder
phys-	nature	Greek		physics
phyt-	plant	Greek	(phuton)	neophyte
pic-	pitch	Latin	pix, picis
pil-	hair	Latin
pin-	pine	Latin
ping-, pict-	paint	Latin	pingere	picture
pino-	drink	Greek		pinocytosis
pir-	pear	Latin
pisc-	fish	Latin	piscis	Pisces
pisum-	pea
plac-	plate, tablet	Greek
plac-	calm	Latin	placare, placatus	placate
plac-, -plic-	please	Latin	placere, placitus	placid
plagi-	oblique	Greek	(plagios)
plan-	flat	Latin	planus	explanation, planar
plang-		Latin	plangere	plangent