List of Greek and Latin roots in English

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

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

A

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
ab-, a-, abs-	away from	Latin	ab "away"	abnormal, abrasion, absent, abstain, abstraction, aversion
ac-	sharp or pointed	Latin	acere	acupuncture
acerb-	sharp, bitter, sour	Latin	acerbus	acerbic, exacerbate
acid-	sour or acid	Latin	acidus	acidosis, acidulation
acr-	height, summit, tip	Greek	ἄκρος (ákros) "high", "extreme"	acrobatics, acromegaly, acronym, acrophobia
acr-	bitter, pungent, sharp, sour	Latin	acer, acris	acrid, acrimony
acu-	sharp	Latin	acutus, past participle of acuere "to sharpen", from acus "needle"	acupuncture, acute, acutifoliate
ad-, a-, ac-, af-, ag-, al-, ap-, ar-, as-, at-	movement to or toward; in addition to	Latin	ad "to", "toward"	accept, adapt, affect, aggression, approximate, ascend
adip-	fat	Latin	adeps, adipis "fat"	adipose
aer-	air, atmosphere	Greek	ἀήρ (aēr) "air"	aeronautics, aerosol
aesthet-	feeling, sensation	Greek	aisthētikos "of sense perception" from αἰσθάνεσθαι (aisthanesthai) "to perceive"	aesthetics, anaesthetic
agr-	field	Greek	ἀγρός (agros) "field"	agronomy
agri-, -egri-	field	Latin	ager, agris "field, country"	agriculture, peregrine
alb-	dull white	Latin	albus	albedo, albino, albumen
am-, amat-	love	Latin	amāre, amatus, amor	amateur, amatory, amorous
ambi-	both, on both sides	Latin	ambi	ambidexterity, ambivalent
amic-, -imic-	friend	Latin	amicus	amicable, inimical
amph-, amphi-	around, about, both, on both sides of, both kinds	Greek	ἀμφί (amphi) "on both sides"	amphibian, amphibolic, amphoterism
ampl-	ample, abundant, bountiful	Latin	amplus	amplification
an-, a-	not, without	Greek	Greek ἀν-/ἀ- "not"	anhydrous, atypical
ana-, an-	again, against, back, up	Greek	ἀνά (ana)	anabaptist, anaphylaxis, anion, anode
andr-	male, masculine	Greek	ἀνδρός andros	androgen, android
anem-	wind	Greek	ἄνεμος anemos	anemometer
anim-	breath	Latin	anima "breath"	animal, animation
ann-, -enn-	year, yearly	Latin	annus "year"	anniversary, annual, biannual, millennium
ant-, anti-	against, opposed to, preventive	Greek	ἀντί anti "against"	antagonist, antibiotic, antipodes
ante-, anti-	before, in front of, prior to	Latin	ante "before", "against"	antebellum, antediluvian, anticipate, antiquarian
anth-	flower	Greek	ἄνθος (anthos) "flower"	anther, anthology
anthra-	coal	Greek	ἄνθραξ (anthraks)	anthracite, anthrax
anthrop-	human	Greek	ἄνθρωπος (anthropos) "man"	anthropology, anthropomorphic
ap-, apo-	away from, separate, at the farthest point	Greek	ἀπό (apo) "from, away, un-, quite"	aphelion, apocrine, apogee, apostasy
aqu-	water	Latin	aqua	aquamarine, aquarium, aqueduct, aquifer
ar-	plow, till	Latin	ărāre	arable
ar-	be dry	Latin	ārēre "be dry or parched"	arid
arche-, archi-	ruler	Greek	ἀρχή (archē) "rule" (in compounds: ἀρχε-, ἀρχι-)	archangel, archetype
archae-, arche-	ancient	Greek	ἀρχαῖος arkhaios "ancient" from arkhē "beginning"	archaeology or archeology, archaic
arct-	Relating to the North Pole or the region near it; relating to cold	Greek	ἄρκτος arktos "bear"	Arctic Ocean
argent-	silver	Latin	argentum	argent, Argentina
arist-	excellence	Greek	ἀρετή, ἄριστος aretē, aristos	aristocracy
arthr-	joint	Greek	ἄρθρον (arthron)	arthritis, arthropod
astr-	star, star-shaped	Greek	ἄστρον (astron) "star"	asterisk, astrology, astronomy
athl-	prize	Greek	ἄθλος (athlos) "contest, feat"	athlete, pentathlon
-athroid	gathered or lumped together	Greek	αθροίζω (athroidzo) "I gather together"	Hypoathroid, epiathroid
audi-	hearing, listening, sound	Latin	audire "to hear"	audible, auditorium, auditory
aug-, auct-	grow, increase	Latin	augēre, auctus "to increase"	augend, augmentation
aur-	relating to gold, or gold-colored	Latin	aurum "gold"	aureate, aureole
auri-	relating to the ear	Latin	auris "ear"	auricle
aut-, auto-	self; directed from within	Greek	αὐτός (autos) "self", "same"	autarchy, autograph, automobile, autonomy
avi-	bird	Latin	avis	aviary, aviation
axi-	axis	Latin	axis	axisymmetry
axi(o)-	merit	Greek	ἄξιος (axios) "worth"	axiology, axiom

B

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
bac-	rod-shaped	Latin	from baculum "rod"	bacilla, bacteria
bar-	weight, pressure	Greek	βάρος (baros)	barograph, barometer, barostat
basi-	at the bottom	Greek	from βαίνω, I walk, march, βάσις "step"	basic, basis
bathy-, batho-	deep, depth	Greek	βαθύς (bathús, bathýs)	batholith, bathymetry, bathyscaphe
be-, beat-	bless	Latin	beare, beatus	beatification
bell-	war	Latin	bellum, belli	antebellum, bellicose, belligerent
ben-	good, well	Latin	bene (adverb)	benefit, benignity
bi-	two	Latin	bis, "twice"; bini, "in twos"	binary, binoculars, bigamy, biscotti
bib-	drink	Latin	bibere, bibitus	imbibe
bibl-	book	Greek	βιβλίον (biblíon) "book"	bible, bibliography
bio-	life	Greek	βίος (bíos) "life"	biography, biologist, biology, biosphere
blenn-	slime	Greek	βλέννος (blennos)	blennophobia, blennosperma
blast-	germ, embryo, bud, cell with nucleus	Greek	βλασταίνω (blastainō), "I put forth shoots"	blastula, fibroblast, osteoblast, sideroblast
bon-	good	Latin	bonus	bonify, bonitary
bor-	north	Latin from Greek	borealis "northern" from Βορέας (Boreas) "the north wind"	borealis
botan-	plant	Greek	βοτάνη, βότανον (botanē, botanon)	botanic, botanist, botany
bov-	cow, ox	Latin	bos, bovis	bovine
brachi-	arm	Greek	βραχίων (brakhíōn)	brachial artery, brachiosaurus
brachy-	short	Greek	βραχύς (brakhús, brakhýs)	brachycephaly, brachydactyly
brady-	slow	Greek	βραδύς (bradús, bradýs)	bradycardia
branchi-	gill	Greek	βράγχιον (brágkhion, bránkhion)	branchiopod, nudibranch
brev-	brief, short (time)	Latin	brevis, breviare	abbreviation, brevity
brom-	food	Greek	βρῶμα (brōma)	bromatium, bromatology
brom-	oats	Greek	βρόμος, βρόμη (brómos, brómē) "oats"	brome, Bromus, Bromus ramosus
brom-	stench	Greek	βρῶμος (brōmos) "stench, clangor"	bromate, bromide, bromine
bronch-	windpipe	Greek	βρόγχος (brógkhos, brónkhos)	bronchiole, bronchitis, bronchus
bront-	thunder	Greek	βροντή (brontē)	Brontosaurus
bucc-	cheek, mouth, cavity	Latin	bucca	buccal, buccinator muscle
bulb-	bulbous	Latin	bulbus	bulbous, bulbule
bull-	bubble, flask	Latin	bulla, "bubble"	ebullient, ebullism
burs-	pouch, purse	Latin	bursa	bursa, bursar, bursary, disburse

C

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
cac-	bad	Greek	κακός (kakos)	cacophony
cad-, -cid-, cas-	fall	Latin	cadere, casus	accident, cadence, case
caed-, -cid-, caes-, -cis-	cut	Latin	caedere, caesus	caesura, incisor, scissors
calc-	stone	Latin and Greek	from Latin calx "lime", and from Greek χάλιξ (khalix) "pebble" "limestone"	calcite, calcium, calculate, calculus
call-, calli-	beautiful	Greek	from Greek κάλλος kallos "beauty"	calligraphy
calor-	heat	Latin	calor "heat"	calorie
calyp-	cover	Greek	καλύπτειν (kaluptein)	apocalypse
camer-	vault	Latin	camera	bicameral, camera
camp-	field	Latin	campus "field", "level ground"	champion, campaign
can-	dog	Latin	canis	canine, Canis Major
can-, -cin-, cant-	sing	Latin	canere	cantata, canto, cantor
cand-	glowing, iridescent	Latin	candere "to be white or glisten"	candela, candid, candle, candor, incandescent, incendiary, incense
cap-, -cip-, capt-, -cept-	hold, take	Latin	capere, captus "take or hold" (vowel changes from a to i in compounds)	capture, captive, conception, recipient
capit-, -cipit-	head	Latin	caput, capitis "head"	capital, decapitation, precipitation
capr-	goat	Latin	caper, capri	Capricorn, caprine
caps-	box, case	Latin	capsa	capsule
carbo-	coal	Latin	carbo, carbonis	carbohydrate
carcer-	jail	Latin	carcer, carcerare	incarceration
carcin-	cancer (disease)	Latin from Greek	Latin from Greek καρκίνος (karkinos) "crab"	carcinogenic, carcinoma
cardi-	relating to the heart	Greek	καρδιά kardia "heart"	cardiograph, cardiology
cardin-	hinge	Latin	cardo, cardinis	cardinal
carn-	flesh	Latin	caro, carnis	carnal, carnival, carnivore
carp-	relating to fruit	Greek	καρπός (karpos) "fruit"	carpology
carp-	relating to the wrist	Greek	καρπός (karpos) "wrist"	carpal, carpal tunnel syndrome
cast-	pure	Latin	castus "chaste"	caste, castigate, castrate
cata-, cat-	down	Greek	κατά (katá) "down"	catabolic, catalyst, catastrophe, catatonia, cathode, cation
caten-	chain	Latin	catena	catenary, concatenation
cathar-	pure	Greek	καθαρός (katharos)	catharsis
caud-	tail	Latin	cauda	caudal
caus-, -cus-	cause or motive	Latin	causa	causative
cav-	hollow	Latin	cavus "hollow"	cave, cavity, excavation
ced-, cess-	go	Latin	cedere, cessus	procession, recede, secede
celer-	quick	Latin	celer, celerare	acceleration, celerity
cen-	new	Greek	καινός (kainos)	Cenozoic
cen-	empty	Greek	κενός (kenos)	cenotaph
cens-	to assess	Latin	censere	census
cent-	hundred	Latin	centum	cent, centennial, centurion
centen-	hundred each	Latin	centeni	centenary
centesim-	hundredth	Latin	centesimus	centesimal, centesimation
centr-	center	Greek	κέντρον (kéntron) "needle", "spur"	eccentric
cephal-	head	Greek	κεφαλή (kephale)	cephalic, cephalopod, encephalogram
ceram-	clay	Greek	κέραμος (keramos)	ceramic
cerat-	horn	Greek	κέρας, κέρατος (keras, keratos) "horn"	keratin
cern-	sift	Latin	cernere	discern, secern
cervic-	relating to the neck, relating to the cervix	Latin	cervix, cervicis "neck"	cervix, cervical
ceter-	other	Latin	ceterus	et cetera
chir-	of the hand or hands	Greek	χείρ (kheir) "hand"	chiral, chiropractic, chiroptera
chelon-	relating to a turtle	Greek	χελώνη (khelōne) "tortoise"	chelonia
chlor-	green	Greek	χλωρός (khlōros) "green"	chlorine, chlorophyll, chloroplast
chore-	relating to dance	Greek	χορεία khoreia "dancing in unison" from χορός khoros "chorus"	choreography
chord-	cord	Latin and Greek	chorda "rope" from χορδή (chordē)	chordata
chrom-	color	Greek	χρῶμα (chrōma) "color"	chromium, chromosome, monochrome
chron-	time	Greek	χρόνος (chronos)	chronic, chronology, chronometer
chrys-	gold	Greek	χρυσός (khrusos) "gold"	chrysolite, chrysalis
cili-	eyelash	Latin	cilium	cilia, supercilious
cine-	motion	Greek	κινέω (kineō)	cinema
ciner-	ash	Latin	cinis, cineris	incineration
cing-, cinct-	gird	Latin	cingere, cinctus	succinct
circ-	circle, ring	Latin	circus	circus, circular
circum-	around	Latin	circum	circumcise, circumference, circumlocution, circumnavigate
cirr-	orange	Greek	κιρρός (kirros)	cirrhosis
cirr-	curl, tentacle	Latin	cirrus	cirrus
civ-	citizen	Latin	civis	civility
clad-	branch	Greek	κλάδος (klados)	clade
clar-	clear	Latin	clarus, clarare	clarity, declaration
clast-	broken	Greek	κλαστός (klastos)	iconoclast, osteoclast
claud-, -clud-, claus-, -clus-	close	Latin	claudere, clausus	clause, exclusion, include
clav-	key	Greek	from Greek κλείς kleis "key" from κλείειν, (kleiein) "to close"	clavichord, clavicle, conclave
cl(e)ist-	closed	Greek	κλειστός (kleistos)
cleithr-	bar, key	Greek		cleithrum
clement-	mild	Latin	clemens, clementis	clemency, inclement
clin-	bed, lean, recline	Latin	-clinare	declination, inclined
cochl-	shell	Greek	κόχλος (kochlos)	cochlea
coel-	hollow	Greek	κοῖλος (koilos)	blastocoel, coelom, spongocoel
cogn-	know	Latin	cognoscere, cognitus	cognitive, cognizant, recognize
col-	strain	Latin	colare, colum	colander, coulee
coll-	hill	Latin	collis
coll-	neck	Latin	collum	collar
color-	color	Latin	color	coloration, coloratura, tricolor
con-, co-, col-, com-, cor-	with, together	Latin	cum	coagulate, collide, compress, connect, contain, corrode
con-	cone	Greek	κῶνος (kōnos)	conic, conical, conoid
condi-	season	Latin	condire	condiment
contra-	against	Latin	contra	contradiction, contrast, contraception
copr-	dung	Greek	κόπρος (kopros)	coprolite, coprophagia, coprophilia
corac-	raven	Greek	κόραξ, κόρακος (korax, korakos)	coracoid
cord-	heart	Latin	cor, cordis	accord, cordial
corn-	horn	Latin	cornu	cornea, cornucopia, unicorn
coron-	crown	Latin	corona, coronare	corona, coronation
corpor-	body	Latin	corpus, corporis	corporation, corpse, corpuscle
cortic-	bark	Latin	cortex, corticis	corticosteriod
cosm-	universe	Greek	κόσμος (kosmos)	cosmic, cosmonaut
cosmet-	the art of dress and ornament	Greek	κοσμητική (kosmetike) from κόσμος (kosmos)	cosmetics, cosmetology
cost-	rib	Latin	costa	costal
cotyl-	cup	Greek	κοτύλη (kotulē)	cotyledon
-cracy, -crat	government, rule, authority	Greek	κράτος (kratos)	democracy
crani-	skull	Greek	κρανίον (kranion)	cranium
crass-	thick	Latin	crassus	crassitude
cre-	make	Latin	creare, creatus	creation, creature
cred-	believe, trust	Latin	credere, creditus	credentials, credibility, creditor, incredible
crep-	boot, shoe	Greek	κρηπίς, κρηπίδος (krēpis, krēpidos)
cribr-	sieve	Latin	cribrum, cribrare	cribble, cribrate
cric-	ring	Greek	κρίκος (krikos)	cricoid
cris-, crit-	judge	Greek	κρίσις (crisis)	crisis, critic
crisp-	curled	Latin	crispus	crepe, crispate
crist-	crest	Latin	crista	cristate
cross-	fringe, tassel	Greek	κροσσός (krossos)	crossopterygii
cruc-	cross	Latin	crux, crucis	crucial, crucifix, crucify, excruciating
crur-	leg, shank	Latin	crus, cruris	crural
crypt-	hidden	Greek	κρυπτός (kruptos)	cryptic, cryptography
cten-	comb	Greek	κτείς, κτενός (kteis, ktenos)	ctenophore
cub-	cube	Greek	κύβος (kubos)	cubic, cuboid
cub-	lie	Latin	cubare	incubation, succuba
culin-	kitchen	Latin	culina	culinary
culp-	blame, fault	Latin	culpa	culpable, exculpate
cune-	wedge	Latin	cuneus	cuneiform
cur-	care for	Latin	cura, curare	accurate, curator, cure
curr-, curs-	run	Latin	currere, cursus	concurrent, current, cursive, recursion
curv-	bent	Latin	curvus	curvature
cuspid-	lance, point	Latin	cuspis, cuspidis	bicuspid
cut-	skin	Latin	cutis	cutaneous, cuticle
cyan-	blue	Greek	κυανός (kuanos)	cyanide
cycl-	circular	Greek	κύκλος (kuklos)	bicycle, cycle, cyclone
cylind-	roll	Greek	κύλινδρος (kulindros)	cylinder
cyn-	dog	Greek	κύων, κυνός (kuōn, kunos)	cynology, cynosure
cyst-	capsule	Greek	κύστις (kustis)	cystic
cyt-	cell	Greek	κύτος (kutos)	cnidocyte, cytoplasm

D

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
dactyl-	finger, toe, digit	Greek	δάκτυλος (daktulos)	dactylology, pterodactyl
damn-, -demn-	to inflict loss upon	Latin	damnāre	condemn, damnation, indemnify
de-	from, away from, removing, down	Latin	dē	deletion, dementia, descend
deb-	owe	Latin	debere, debitus	debit
deca-, dec-, deka-, dek-	ten	Greek	δέκα deka, ten	decagram, decahedron, decameter
decim-	tenth part	Latin	decimus, tenth; from decem, ten	decimal, decimate
delt-	anything shaped like a Δ	Greek	δέλτα (delta)	deltoid
dem-	people	Greek	δῆμος (dēmos)	demagogue, democracy
den-	ten each	Latin	deni	denarius, denary
dendr-	resembling a tree	Greek	δένδρον (dendron): akin to δρύς, drys, "tree"	dendrite, dendrochronology
dens-	thick	Latin	densus	condense, density
dent-	tooth	Latin	dens, dentis	dental, dentifrice, dentures
derm-	skin	Greek	δέρμα (derma)	dermis, epidermis, hypodermic
deuter-	second	Greek	δεύτερος (deuteros)	Deuteronomy, deuterostome
dexter-	right	Latin	dexter	dexterity, dextrose
dexi-	right	Greek	δεξιός, right	Dexiarchia
di-	two	Greek	δι-	dicot, diode, dipole
dia-	apart, through	Greek	διά (dia)	dialysis, diameter, diagram
dict-	say, speak	Latin	dicere, dictus	contradict, dictate, dictation, dictionary, edict, predict
digit-	finger	Latin	digitus	digital
dino-	terrible, fearfully great	Greek	δεινός (deinos)	dinosaur
dipl-	double; twofold	Greek	διπλός (diplos)	diploid, diplosis
doc-, doct-	teach	Latin	docere, doctus	docile, doctor, indoctrinate
dodec-	twelve	Greek	δώδεκα (dodeka)	dodecasyllabic
dogmat-, dox-	opinion, tenet	Greek	δόξα	dogmatic, orthodox
dom-	house	Latin	domus	dome
don-	give	Latin	donare	condone, donation
dorm-	sleep	Latin	dormire	dormant, dormitory
dors-	back	Latin	dorsum	dorsal
du-	two	Latin	duo	dual
dub-	doubtful	Latin	dubius	dubious
duc-, duct-	lead	Latin	dux, ducis	abduction, conductor, introduction, production, reduction, deduction
dulc-	sweet	Latin	dulcis	dulcet
dur-	hard	Latin	durus	durable, duration, duress, endure, obdurate
dy-	two	Greek	δύο (duo)	dyad
dyna-	power	Greek	δύναμαι (dunamai)	dynamism, dynasty, dynamite
dys-	badly, ill	Greek	δυσ- (dus-)	dysentery, dysplasia, dystrophy

E

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
ec-	out	Greek	ἐκ (ek)	eccentric
eccles-	assembly, congregation	Ancient Greek	ἐκκλησία (ekklēsiā) from ἐκκαλέω (ekkaleō) "I summon" or "I call out"	Ecclesiastes, ecclesiastical
eco-	house	Greek	οἶκος (oikos)	ecology, economics, ecumenism
ecto-	outside	Greek	ἐκτός (ektos)	ectoderm
ed-, es-	eat	Latin	edere, esus	edible
ego-	self, I (first person)	Latin, Greek	ego, ἐγώ	egocentric
ego-, eg-	goat	Greek	αἴξ (aix)	egophony
elect-	amber	Greek	ἤλεκτρον (elektron)	electron, electricity
em-, empt-	buy	Latin	emere, emptus	exemption, preempt, redeem
eme-	vomit	Greek	ἔμετος (emetos)	emesis, emetic
emul-	striving to equal, rivaling	Latin	aemulus, aemulare	emulator
en-, em-	in	Greek	ἐν (en)	emphasis
encephalo-	brain	Greek	ἐγκέφαλος (enkephalos)	encephalopathy
endo-	inside	Greek	ἔνδον (endon)	endocrine, endocytosis
engy-	narrow	Greek	ἐγγύς (engys)
ennea-	nine	Greek	ἐννέα (ennea)	ennead, enneagon, enneode
ens-	sword	Latin	ensis
eo-, eos-, eoso-	dawn, east	Greek	Ἠώς/Ἕως	Eocene
ep-, epi-	upon	Greek	ἐπί (epi)	epicenter, epitaph, epoch
epistem-	knowledge or science	Greek	ἐπιστήμη (epistēmē)	epistemic
equ-, -iqu-	even, level	Latin	aequus	equal, equivalence
equ-	horse	Latin	equus	equestrian
erg-	work	Greek	έργον (ergon)	ergonomics
err-	stray	Latin	errare	aberration, errant
erythr-	red	Greek	ἐρυθρός (eruthros)	erythrocyte
eso-	within	Greek	ἔσω (esō)	esoteric
etho-, eth-, ethi-	custom, habit	Greek	ἦθος (ēthos)	ethology
ethm-	sieve	Greek	ἠθμός (hethmos); ἤθειν (hethein)	ethmoid
ethn-	people, race, tribe, nation	Greek	ἔθνος (ethnos)	ethnarch, ethnic
etym-	true	Greek	ἔτυμος (etumos)	etymology
eu-	well, good	Greek	εὖ (eu)	euphoria, euthanasia
eur-	wide	Greek	εὐρύς (eurus)	Europe
ex-, e-, ef-	from, out	Latin	ex	exclude, extend, extrude
exo-	outside	Greek	ἔξω (eksō)	exoskeleton, exothermic
exter-, extra-	outer	Latin	externus	exterior
extrem-	outermost, utmost	Latin	extremus	extremity, extremophile

F

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
f-, fat-	say, speak	Latin	fari, fatus	fate, infant, preface
fab-	bean	Latin	faba	faba bean
fac-, -fic-, fact, -fect-	make	Latin	facere, factus	defect, factory, manufacture
falc-	sickle	Latin	falx, falcis	falciform
fall-, -fell-, fals-	deceive	Latin	fallere, falsus	falsity, infallibility
fallac-	false	Latin	fallax, fallacis	fallacy
famili-	a close attendant	Latin	famulus	familiarity
fant-	to show	Greek	φαντάζω (phantazō)	fantasy
fasc-	bundle	Latin	fascis	fasciculation, fascism
fatu-	foolish, useless	Latin	fatuus	fatuous, infatuation
feder-	treaty, agreement, contract, league, pact	Latin	foedus, foederis	confederation, federal
fel-	cat	Latin	feles, felis	Felinae, feline
felic-	happy, merry	Latin	felix, felicis	felicity
fell-	suck	Latin	fellare	fellation
femin-	women, female	Latin	femina	femininity
femor-	thigh	Latin	femur, femoris	femoral
fend-, fens-	strike	Latin	fendere, -fensus	defend, offense
fenestr-	window	Latin	fenestra	defenestration
fer-	carry	Latin	ferre	reference, transfer
feroc-	fierce	Latin	ferox, ferocis	ferocity
ferr-	iron	Latin	ferrum	ferrous
fet-	stink	Latin	fetere	fetid, fetor
fic-	fig	Latin	ficus	Ficus
fid-, fis-	faith, trust	Latin	fides, fidere, fisus	confidence, fidelity
fil-	thread	Latin	filum	filament
fili-	son	Latin	filius	affiliation
fin-	end	Latin	finis	final, finish
find-, fiss-	split	Latin	findere, fissus	fission, fissures
firm-	firm, strong	Latin	firmus, firmare	confirmation, firmament
fistul-	hollow, tube	Latin	fistula	fistula
fl-	blow	Latin	flare, flatus	flatulence, inflation, insufflation
flacc-	flabby	Latin	flaccus, flaccere	flaccid
flav-	yellow	Latin	flavus	flavonoid
flect-, flex-	bend	Latin	flectere, flexus	flexible, flexile, flexor, inflection
flig-, flict-	strike	Latin	fligere, flictus	conflict, 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	Latin	foenum	Foeniculum
foli-	leaf	Latin	folium	defoliant
font-	spring	Latin	fons, fontis	font, fontal, fontanelle
for-	bore, drill	Latin	forare, foratus	foralite, foramen, foraminifer, perforation
form-	shape	Latin	forma	conformity, deformity, formation, reformatory
fornic-	vault	Latin	fornix, fornicis	fornication
fort-	strong	Latin	fortis	fortification
fove-	shallow round depression	Latin	fovea	fovea
frang-, -fring-, fract-, frag-	break	Latin	frangere, fractus	fracture, fragment, frangible, infringe
frater-, fratr-	brother	Latin	frater	fraternity
fric-, frict-	rub	Latin	fricare, frictus	dentifrice, friction
frig-	cold	Latin	frigere	frigid, frigorific
front-	forehead	Latin	frons, frontis	confront, frontage, frontal
fruct-, frug-	fruit	Latin	frux, fructis	fructose
fug-, fugit-	flee	Latin	fugere	centrifuge, fugitive, refuge
fum-	smoke	Latin	fumus	fume, fumigation
fund-	bottom	Latin	fundus, fundare	fundamentalism, profundity
fund-, fus-	pour	Latin	fundere, fusus	diffusion, effusion, effusive, fusion, profuse, profusion, transfusion
fung-, funct-	do	Latin	fungi, functus	function, fungibility
fur-, furt-	steal	Latin	fur, 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	γάλα, γαλακτός (gala, galaktos)	galactic
gastr-	stomach	Greek	γαστήρ (gaster)	gastric, gastroenterology
geo-	earth	Greek	γῆ (gē), γεω- (geō-)	geography, geology, geometry
gel-	icy cold	Latin	gelum	gelatin, gelid
gen-	race, kind,birth	Greek	γένος (genos)	eugenics, genocide
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
glia-	glue	Greek	γλία (glia)	glial
glob-	sphere	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-	writing	Greek	γράμμα (gramma)	grammar, grammatic
gran-	grain	Latin	granum	granary, granite, granola, granule
grand-	grand	Latin	grandis	grandiloquous, grandiosity
graph-	draw, write	Greek	γραφή (graphē)	grapheme, graphic, graphology
grat-	thank, please	Latin	gratus	gratitude, ingrate
grav-	heavy	Latin	gravis	aggravation, grave, gravity
greg-	flock	Latin	grex, gregis	egregious, gregarious, segregation
gubern-	govern, pilot	Latin	gubernare	gubernatorial
gust-	taste	Latin	gustus	disgust, gusto
gutt-	drop	Latin	gutta	gutta, guttifer, guttiform
guttur-	throat	Latin	guttur	guttural
gymn-	nude	Greek	γυμνός (gymnos)	gymnasium, gymnastics, gymnosperm
gyn-	woman	Greek	γυνή	gynecology

H

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
hab-, -hib-, habit-, -hibit-	have	Latin	habere, habitus	habit, prohibition
hadr-	thick	Greek	ἁδρός (hadros)	hadron, hadrocodium
haem-, hem-	blood	Greek	αἷμα (haima)	haemophilia, hemoglobin
hal-	salt	Greek	ἅλς, ἁλός (hals, halos)	halogen, halite
hal-, -hel-	breathe	Latin	halare, halatus	anhelation, inhale, halitosis
hapl-	simple, single	Greek	ἁπλοῦς (haplous)	haploid, haplotype
haur-, haust-	draw	Latin	haurire, haustus	exhaustion
hedo-	pleasure	Greek	ἡδονή (hēdonē)	hedonism
heli-	sun	Greek	ἥλιος (hēlios)	heliocentric, heliotrope, helium
hemi-	half	Greek	ἥμισυς (hēmisus)	hemicycle, hemisphere
hen-	one	Greek	ἕν (hen)	henad, hyphen
hendec-	eleven	Greek	ἕνδεκα (hendeka)	hendecagon
hept-	seven	Greek	ἑπτά (hepta)	heptagon, heptathlon, heptode
her-, hes-	cling	Latin	haerere, haesus	adhesive, coherent
herb-	grass	Latin	herba	herbal, herbicide
hered-	heir	Latin	heres, heredis	heredity
herp-	creep	Greek	ἕρπω, ἕρπειν (herpō, herpein)	herpes, herpetology
heter-	different, other	Greek	ἕτερος (heteros)	heterodoxy
heur-	find	Greek	εὑρίσκω (heuriskō)	heuristic
hex-	six	Greek	ἕξ (hex)	hexagon, hexahedron, hexode
hibern-	wintry	Latin	hibernus	hibernation
hiem-	winter	Latin	hiems	hiemal
hier-	sacred	Greek	ἱερός (hieros)	hierarchy, hieroglyphics
hipp-	horse	Greek	ἵππος (hippos)	hippodrome, hippopotamus
hirsut-	hairy	Latin	hirtus, hirsutus	hirsute
hispid-	bristly	Latin	hispidus	hispidity, hispidulous
histri-	actor	Latin	histrio, histrionis	histrionic
hod-	way	Greek	ὁδός (hodos)	cathode, herpolhode, hodometer
hol-	whole	Greek	ὅλος (holos)	holistic, holography
hom-	same	Greek	ὁμός (homos)	homophone, homozygous
homal-	even, flat	Greek	ὁμαλός (homalos)	anomalous
home-	like	Greek	ὅμοιος (homoios)	homeostasis
homin-	human	Latin	homo, hominis	hominid
honor-	esteem	Latin	honos, honoris	honorable, honorarium
hor-	boundary	Greek	ὅρος (horos)	aphorism, horizon
hor-	hour	Greek	ὥρα (hōra)	horoscope
horm-	that which excites	Greek	ὁρμή (hormē)	hormone
hort-	garden	Latin	hortus, horti	horticulture
hospit-	host	Latin	hospes, hospitis	hospital, hospitality, inhospitable
host-	enemy	Latin	hostis	hostile
hum-	ground	Latin	humus, humare	exhumation, inhume
hyal-	glass	Greek	ὕαλος (hualos)	hyaline, hyaloid
hydr-	water	Greek	ὕδωρ (hudōr)	hydraulics, hydrology, hydrolysis, hydrophily, hydrophobia, hydroponic, hydrous
hygr-	wet	Greek	ὑγρός (hugros)	hygrometer
hyo-	U-shaped	Greek	ὑοειδής (huoeidēs)	hyoid
hyp-	under	Greek	ὑπό (hupo)	hypothermia
hyper-	above, over	Greek	ὑπέρ (huper)	hyperbole, hypertonic
hypn-	sleep	Greek	ὕπνος (hupnos)	hypnosis
hyster-	later	Greek	ὕστερος (husteros)	hysteresis

I

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
ichthy-	fish	Greek	ἰχθύς (ichthus)	ichthyology
icos-	twenty	Greek	εἴκοσι (eikosi)	icosagon, icosahedron
id-	shape	Greek	εἶδος (eidos)	idol
ide-	idea; thought	Greek	ιδέα (ideal)	ideogram, ideology
idi-	personal	Greek	ἴδιος (idios)	idiom, idiosyncrasy, idiot
ign-	fire	Latin	ignis	igneous, ignition
in- (1), im-	in, on	Latin	in	import, incur, intend, invite
in- (2), il-, im-, ir-	not, un- (negation)	Latin	in-	illicit, impossible, inimical, irrational
infra-	below, under	Latin	infra	infrastructure
insul-	island	Latin	insula	insular, insulation
inter-	among, between	Latin	inter (preposition)	intercollegiate, intermission, intersection
intra-	within	Latin	intra	intramural
irasc-, irat-	be angry	Latin	irasci	irascible, irate
irid-	rainbow	Latin	iris	iridescent
is-, iso-	equal, the same	Greek	ἴσος (isos)	isometric, isomorphic, isotropic
iter-	again	Latin	iterum, iterare	iteration
itiner-	route, way	Latin	iter, itineris – march, journey	itinerary

J

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
jac-	lie	Latin	jacēre "to be thrown"	adjacent
jac-, -ject-	cast, throw	Latin	iacere, iectus	ejaculate, eject, reject, interject, trajectory
janu-	door	Latin	janua	janitor
joc-	joke	Latin	jocus	jocularity
judic-	judge	Latin	iudex, iudicis	adjudicate, judicial, judiciary
jug-	yoke	Latin	jugare, jugum	conjugal, subjugate
jung-, junct-	join	Latin	jungere, junctus	conjunction, juncture
junior-	younger	Latin	junior	juniority
jus-, jur-	law, justice	Latin	ius, iuris	jury, justice
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	χίλιοι (chilioi)	kilobyte, kilogram, kilometer
kine-	movement, motion	Greek	κινέω (kineō)	kinesthetic, kinetic energy, telekinesis
klept-	steal	Greek	κλέπτης (kleptēs)	kleptomania, kleptoplasty
kudo-	glory	Greek	κῦδος (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-	work	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-	torch	Greek	λαμπάς lampas	lamp
lapid-	stone	Latin	lapis, lapidis	lapidary
larg-	large	Latin	largus	enlargement
larv-	ghost, mask	Latin	larva	larva, larvae, larval
lat-	broad, wide	Latin	latus	latitude
later-	side	Latin	latus, lateris	bilateral
laud-, laus-	praise	Latin	laudere	laud, laudanum
lav-	wash	Latin	lavare	lavatory
lax-	not tense	Latin	laxus, laxare	laxative, relaxation
lecith-	egg yolk	Greek	λέκιθος lekithos	lecithin
led-, les-	hurt	Latin	laedere, laesus	lesion
leg-	law	Latin	lex, legis, legare	legal, legislative
leg-	send	Latin	legare	relegate
lei-	smooth	Greek	λεῖος leios	leiomyoma
lekan-	dish, pot	Greek	λεκάνη lekane	lekane
leni-	gentle	Latin	lenis, lenire	leniency
leon-	lion	Latin	leo, leonis	Leo, leonine, Leopold
lep-	flake, scale	Greek	λεπίς lepis	Lepidoptera
leps-	grasp, seize	Greek	λῆψις lepsis	epilepsy
leuc-, leuk-	white	Greek	λευκός leukos	leucocyte
lev-	lift, light	Latin	levis "light" (in weight), levare	elevator, levitation
liber-	free	Latin	liber, liberare	liberation, liberty
libr-	book	Latin	liber, libri	librarian, library
lig-	bind	Latin	ligare, ligatus	ligament, ligature
limac-	slug	Latin	limax, limacis	limacoid, limacon
lin-	line	Latin	linea	line, linearity
lingu-	language, tongue	Latin	lingua	bilingual, linguistic
linqu-, lict-	leave	Latin	linquere, lictus	relict, relinquish
lip-	fat	Greek	λίπος lipos	lipolysis
liter-	letter	Latin	littera	alliteration, illiterate, literacy, literal, obliterate
lith-	stone	Greek	λίθος (lithos)	lithosphere, megalith, monolith, Neolithic Era
loc-	place	Latin	locus	local, location
log-	thought, word, speech	Greek	λόγος logos	logic, monologue, morphological, philology
long-	long	Latin	longus	elongate, longitude
loqu-, locut-	speak	Latin	loqui	allocution, eloquence
luc-	bright, light	Latin	lux, lucis light	Lucifer (bearer of light)
lud-, lus-	play	Latin	ludere, lusus	allude, illusion
lumin-	light	Latin	lumen, luminis	illumination, luminous
lun-	moon	Latin	luna	lunar, lunatic
lysis	dissolving	Greek	λύσις (lusis)	analysis, cytolysis, hydrolysis

M

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
macro-	long	Greek	μακρός (makros)	macron
magn-	great, large	Latin	magnus	magnanimous, magnificent, magnitude
maj-	greater	Latin	major, majus	majesty, majority, majuscule
mal-	bad, wretched	Latin	malus	malfeasance, malicious, malignancy, malodorous
mamm-	breast	Latin	mamma	mammal, mammary gland
man-	flow	Latin	mānāre, manatus	emanate, emanationism, immanant, immanation
man-	stay	Latin	manēre, mansus	immanence, immanent, manse, permanence, permanent, remanence, remanent
mand-	order	Latin	mandāre, mandatus	mandate, remand
mania	mental illness	Greek	μανία (manίā)	kleptomania, maniac
manu-	hand	Latin	manus	manual, manuscript, manufacture
mar-	sea	Latin	mare, maris	marine, maritime
mater-, matr-	mother	Latin	mater, matris	maternity, matriarch, matrix
maxim-	greatest	Latin	maximus	maximum
medi-, -midi-	middle	Latin	medius, mediare	median, medieval
meg-	great, large	Greek	μέγας (megas)	megaphone
mei-	less	Greek	μεῖον (meiōn)	meiosis
melan-	black, dark	Greek	μέλας (melas)	Melanesia, melanoma
melior-	better	Latin	melior	amelioration
mell-	honey	Latin	mel, mellis	mellifluous
memor-	remember	Latin	memor	memorial
mening-	membrane	Greek	μήνιγξ (meninx)	meningitis
men-	month	Greek	μήν (mēn)	menopause
menstru-	monthly	Latin	menstruus	menstrual, menstruation
mensur-	measure	Latin	mensura	commensurate
ment-	mind	Latin	mens, mentis	demented, mentality
mer-	part	Greek	μέρος (meros)	polymer
merc-	reward, wages, hire	Latin	merx, mercis	mercantile, mercenary, merchant
merg-, mers-	dip, plunge	Latin	mergere	emerge, immersion
mes-	middle	Greek	μέσος (mesos)	mesolithic, mesozoic
meter-, metr-	measure	Greek	μέτρον (metron)	metric, thermometer
meta-	above, among, beyond	Greek	μετά (meta)	metaphor, metaphysics
mic-	grain	Latin	mica	micelle
micr-	small	Greek	μικρός (mikros)	microphone, microscope
migr-	wander	Latin	migrare	emigrant, migrate
milit-	soldier	Latin	miles, militis	military, militia
mill-	thousand	Latin	mille	millennium, million
millen-	thousand each	Latin	milleni	millenary
mim-	repeat	Greek	μίμος (mimos)	mime, mimic
min-	jut	Latin	minere	prominent
min-	less, smaller	Latin	minor, minus	minority, minuscule, minutiae
mir-	wonder, amazement	Latin	miror, mirari, miratus sum	admire, miracle, mirror
mis-	hate	Greek	μῖσος (misos)	misandry, misogyny
misce-, mixt-	mix	Latin	miscere, mixtus	miscellaneous, mixture
mit-	thread	Greek	μίτος (mitos)	mitochondrion, mitosis
mitt-, miss-	send	Latin	mittere, missus	intermittent, missionary, transmission
mne-	memory	Greek	μνήμη (mnēmē)	amnesia, mnemonic
mol-	grind	Latin	mola, molere, molitus	molar
moll-	soft	Latin	mollis	emollient, mollify
mon-	one	Greek	μόνος (monos)	monism, monolith, monotone
monil-	string of beads	Latin	monile	Moniliformida
mont-	mountain	Latin	mons, montis	Montana
mord-	bite	Latin	mordere, morsus	mordacious, morsel, remorse
morph-	form, shape	Greek	μορφή (morphē)	anthropomorphism, morpheme, morphology
mort-	death	Latin	mors, mortis	immortal, mortality, mortuary
mov-, mot-	move, motion	Latin	movere, motus	mobile, momentum, motor, move
mulg-, muls-	milk	Latin	mulgere	emulsion
mult-	many, much	Latin	multus	multiple, multiplex, multitude
mur-	wall	Latin	murus, muri	immured, mural
mus-	thief	Latin	mus, muris	mouse
musc-	fly	Latin	musca, muscae	Muscicapidae, Muscidae
mut-	change	Latin	mutare	mutation
my-	mouse	Greek	μῦς (mus)	musophobia
myri-	countless, ten thousand	Greek	μυρίος (murios)	myriad, myriapod
myrmec-	ant	Greek	μύρμηξ (murmēx)	myrmecoid, Myrmidons
myth-	story	Greek	μῦθος (muthos)	mythic, mythology
myx-	slime	Greek	μύξα (muxa)	Myxini
myz-	suck	Greek	μυζάω (muzaō)	Myzopoda

N

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
nar-	nostril	Latin	naris	naris
narc-	numb	Greek	νάρκη (narkē)	narcosis, narcotic
narr-	tell	Latin	narrare	narrative
nas-	nose	Latin	nasus	nasal
nasc-, nat-	born	Latin	nascere, natus	nascent, native
naut-	ship	Greek	ναύτης (nautes)	Argonaut, astronaut
nav-	ship	Latin	navis	naval
ne-	new	Greek	νέος (neos)	neologism
necr-	dead	Greek	νεκρός (nekros)	necrophobia
nect-	swimming	Greek	νηκτός (nēktos)	nectopod
nect-, nex-	join, tie	Latin	nectere, nexus	connect, nexus
neg-	say no	Latin	negare	negative
nema-	hair	Greek	νῆμα (nēma)	nematode
nemor-	grove, woods	Latin	nemus, nemoris	nemoral
nephr-	kidney	Greek	νεφρός (nephros)	nephritis
nes-	island	Greek	νῆσος (nēsos)	Polynesia
neur-	nerve	Greek	νευρών (neurōn)	neurology, neurosurgeon
nict-	wink	Latin	nictari	nictation
nigr-	black	Latin	niger	denigrate
nihil-	nothing	Latin	nihilum	annihilation
noct-	night	Latin	nox, noctis	noctambulist, nocturnal
nod-	knot	Latin	nodus	node, nodule
nom-	arrangement, law	Greek	νόμος (nomos)	autonomous, taxonomy
nomad-	those who let pasture herds	Greek	νομάς, νομάδος (nomas, nomados)	nomadic
nomin-	name	Latin	nomen, nominis	nomination
non-	not	Latin	non	none
non-	ninth	Latin	nonus	nonary
nonagen-	ninety each	Latin	nonageni	nonagenary
nonagesim-	ninetieth	Latin	nonagesimus	nonagesimal
not-	letter, note, paper	Latin	notare	annotation, notable
noth-	spurious	Greek	νόθος (nothos)	nothogenus
noto-	back, south	Greek	νότος (notos)	notochord
nov-	nine	Latin	novem	November, novennial
nov-	new	Latin	novus	innovation, nova
noven-	nine each	Latin	noveni	novenary
novendec-	nineteen	Latin	novendecim
nox-, noc-	harmful	Latin	noxa	noxious
nu-	nod	Latin	nuere	innuendo
nub-	to marry, to wed	Latin	nubes, nubis, nubere	connubial, nubile
nuc-	nut	Latin	nux, nucis	nucleus
nuch-	back of neck	Latin	nucha	nuchal cord
nud-	naked	Latin	nudus	denude, nudity
null-	none	Latin	nullus	nullify
numer-	number	Latin	numerus	numeral
nunci-	announce	Latin	nuntius	pronunciation
nupti-	pertaining to marriage	Latin	nuptialis	nuptial
nutri-	nourish	Latin	nutrire	nutrient

O

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
ob-, o-, oc-, of-, og-, op-, os-	against	Latin	ob	obstinate, obstreperous, occur, offend, omit, oppose, ostentatious
oct-	eight	Greek	ὀκτώ (oktō)	octagon, octahedron, octode
oct-	eight	Latin	octō	octangular, octennial, octovir
octav-	eighth	Latin	octāvus	octaval
octogen-	eighty each	Latin	octogeni	octogenary
octogesim-	eightieth	Latin	octogesimus	octogesimal
octon-	eight each	Latin	octoni	octonary
ocul-	eye	Latin	oculus, oculare	ocular, oculus, ullage
od-	path, way	Greek	ὁδός (hodos)	anode, diode, odometer, pentode, tetrode, triode
od-	hate	Latin	odium	odious
odont-	tooth	Greek	ὀδούς, ὀδόντος (odous, odontos)	odontology
odor-	fragrant	Latin	odor	odorous
oeco-	house	Greek	οἶκος (oikos)	ecology
oed-	swollen	Greek	οἴδημα (oidēma)	oedema
oen-	wine	Greek	οἶνος (oinos)	oenology
oesophag-	gullet	Greek	οἰσοφάγος (oisophagos)	oesophagus
ogdo-	eighth	Greek	ὄγδοος (ogdoos)	ogdoad
-oid	like	Greek	-οειδής (-oeidēs)	asteroid, mucoid, organoid
ole-	oil	Latin	oleum	oleosity
olecran-	skull of elbow	Latin from Greek	ὠλέκρανον (ōlekranon)	olecranon
olig-	few	Greek	ὀλίγος (oligos)	oligarchy
oliv-	olive	Latin	oliva	olivaceous, olivary, olivette
-oma	cancer	Greek	-ωμα	melanoma
omas-	paunch	Latin	omasum	omasum
oment-	fat skin	Latin	omentum	omental
omin-	creepy	Latin	omen, ominis	abominable, ominous
omm-	eye	Greek	ὄμμα (omma)	ommatidium
omni-	all	Latin	omnis	omnipotence, omnivore
omo-	shoulder	Greek	ὦμος omos	omohyoid
omphal-	navel	Greek	ὀμφαλός (omphalos)	omphalectomy
oner-	burden	Latin	onus, oneris	exonerate, onerous
onom-	name	Greek	όνομα (onoma)	onomatopoeia
ont-	existing	Greek	ὄντος (ontos)	ontogeny, ontology
-onym	name	Greek	ὄνυμα (onuma)	antonym, pseudonym, synonym
oo-	egg	Greek	ᾠόν (oion)	oocyte
opac-	shady	Latin	opacus	opacity
oper-	work	Latin	opus, operis	inoperable, opera
opercul-	little cover	Latin	operculum
ophi-	snake	Greek	ὄφις (ophis)	ophiophagy
ophthalm-	eye	Greek	ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos)	ophthalmology
opisth-	behind	Greek	ὄπισθεν (opisthen)	opisthosoma, opsimath
opoter-	either	Greek	ὁπότερος (hopoteros)
opt-	eye	Greek	ὀπτός (optos)	optical
opt-	choose	Latin	optare	adopt, optional
optim-	best	Latin	optimus	optimum
or-	mouth	Latin	os, oris	oral, orator
orb-	circle	Latin	orbis	orbit
orch-	testicle	Greek	ὄρχις (orchis)	orchid
ordin-	order	Latin	ōrdō, ordinis	ordinal, ordinary
organ-	organ, instrument, tool	Greek	ὄργανον (organon)	organism
ori-, ort-	eastern	Latin	oriri, ortus	orient
orn-	decorate	Latin	ōrnāre	adorn, ornament, ornate
ornith-	bird	Greek	ὄρνις (ornis, ornithos)	ornithology
orth-	straight	Greek	ὀρθός (orthos)	orthodontist, orthodoxy, orthosis
oscill-	swing	Latin	oscillum	oscillation
oss-	bone	Latin	os, ossis	ossification
osteo-	bone	Greek	ὀστοῦν (ostoun)	osteoporosis
osti-	entrance	Latin	ostium	ostiole
ostrac-	shell	Greek	ὄστρακον (ostrakon)	ostracism
ot-	ear	Greek	οὖς, ωτός (ous, ōtos)	otology
ov-	egg	Latin	ovum	oval, ovary, ovule
ovi-	sheep	Latin	ovis	ovine
oxy-	sharp, pointed	Greek	ὀξύς (oxus)	oxygen, oxymoron

P

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
pac-	peace	Latin	pax, pacis	pacifism
pach-	thick	Greek	παχύς (pachus)	pachydermata, Pachypodium
paed-	child	Greek	παῖς, παιδός (pais, paidos)	paediatric
pagin-	page	Latin	pagina	pagination
pal-	stake	Latin	palus	impalement, pale
palae-, pale-	ancient, old	Greek	παλαιός (palaios)	paleontology
palin-	back	Greek	πάλιν (palin)	palindrome
pall-	be pale	Latin	pallere	pallid, pallor
palli-	cloak	Latin	pallium	pallium
palm-	palm	Latin	palma	palmate
palustr-	in marshes	Latin	paluster	palustral
pan-, pam-	all	Greek	πᾶς, παντός (pas, pantos)	pandemic
pand-, pans-	spread	Latin	pandere, pansus	expand, expansion
par(a)-	beside, near	Greek	παρά (para)	parallel, parameter
pariet-	wall	Latin	paries, parietis	parietal
part-	part	Latin	pars, partis	bipartite, partition
parthen-	maiden	Greek	παρθένος (parthenos)	Parthenon, parthenogenesis
parv-	little	Latin	parvus	parvovirus
pasc-, past-	feed	Latin	pascere, pastus	pasture, repast
pass-	pace, step	Latin	passus
passer-	sparrow	Latin	passer	passeriform, passerine
pat-	be open	Latin	patere	patent
path-	feel, hurt	Greek	πάθος (pathos)	pathetic, pathology
pati-, pass-	suffer, feel, endure, permit	Latin	pati, passus	passive, patience
patr-	father	Greek	πατήρ, πατριά (patēr, patria)	patriarch
patr-	father	Latin	pater, patris	patrilocal
pauc-	few	Latin	paucus	paucal, pauciloquent, paucity
pav-		Latin	pavire	pavement
pecc-	sin	Latin	peccare	impeccable
pect-	fixed	Greek	πηκτός (pēktos)	pectic, pectin
pector-	chest	Latin	pectus, pectoris	pectoral
pecun-	money	Latin	pecunia	pecuniary
ped-	child	Greek	παῖς, παιδός (pais, paidos)	pedagogy
ped-	foot	Latin	pes, pedis	pedal, quadruped
pejor-	worse	Latin	pejor	pejorative
pell-, puls-	drive	Latin	pellere, pulsus	propellent, propulsor, repellent
pen-	almost	Latin	paene	peninsula, penultimate, penumbra
pend-, pens-	hang	Latin	pendere	suspend
penn-, pinn-	feather	Latin	penna	pennate, pinnate
pent-	five	Greek	πέντε (pente)	pentagon, pentode, pentagrid
pentecost-	fiftieth	Greek	πεντηκοστός (pentēkostos)	pentecostalism
pept-	to digest	Greek	πέσσειν, πεπτός (pessein, peptos)	peptic, peptide
per-	thoroughly, through	Latin	per	perfection, permeate, persistence, pervade
peran-	across, beyond	Greek	πέραν (peran)
peri-	around	Greek	περί (peri)	perimeter, peripheral, periscope
persic-	peach	Greek	περσικός (persikos)
pessim-	worst	Latin	pessimus	pessimal
pet-	strive towards	Latin	petere	appetite, competition
petr-	rock	Greek	πέτρα (petra)	petroglyph
phae-	dark	Greek	φαιός (phaios)	phaeomelanin
phag-	eat	Greek	φαγεῖν (phagein)	sarcophagus, phagocyte
phalang-	close formation of troops, finger bones	Greek	φάλαγξ, φάλαγγος (phalanx, phalangos)	phalanges
phalar-	having a patch of white	Greek	φάλαρος (phalāros)	phalarope
pharmac-	drug, medicine	Greek	φάρμακον (pharmakon)	pharmacy
phaner-	visible	Greek	φανερός (phaneros)	phanerozoic
pher-	bear, carry	Greek	φέρω (pherō)	pheromone
phil-, -phile	love, friendship	Greek	φιλέω (phileō, philia)	hydrophile, philosophy
phleg-	heat	Greek	φλέγω (phlegō)	phlegm, phlegmatics
phloe-	tree bark	Greek	φλοιός (phloios)	phlobaphene, phloem
phob-	fear	Greek	φόβος (phobos)	hydrophobia
phon-	sound	Greek	φωνή (phōnē)	homophone, microphone, phonograph
phor-	carry, bear	Greek	φόρος (phoros)	metaphor
phos-, phot-	light	Greek	φῶς, φωτός (phōs, phōtos)	phosphor, photograph
phragm-	fence	Greek	φράγμα (phragma)	diaphragm
phren-	diaphragm, mind	Greek	φρήν, φρενός (phrēn, phrenos)	phrenetic, schizophrenia
phryn-	toad, toad-like	Greek	φρύνη (phrunē)	Phrynobatrachus
phyl-	tribe	Greek	φύλον (phulon)	phylogenetics, phylum
phyll-	leaf	Greek	φύλλον (phullon)	chlorophyll, phyllotaxis
phys-	nature	Greek	φύσις (phusis)	physics
physalid-	bladder	Greek	φυσαλ(λ)ίς (phusal(l)is)	physalis
phyt-	plant	Greek	φυτόν (phuton)	neophyte, phytoplankton
pic-	pitch	Latin	pix, picis
pil-	hair	Latin	pilus	depilatory, epilator
pin-	drink	Greek	πίνειν (pinein)	pinocytosis
pin-	pine	Latin	pinus	pineal gland
ping-, pict-	paint	Latin	pingere, pictus	depiction, picture
pingu-	fat	Latin	pinguis	Pinguicula
pir-	pear	Latin	pirus	piriformis muscle
pisc-	fish	Latin	piscis	Pisces, piscivore
pis-	pea	Greek	πίσος (pisos)
plac-	plate, tablet	Greek	πλάξ, πλακός (plax, plakos)
plac-	calm	Latin	placare, placatus	placate, placid
plac-, -plic-	please	Latin	placēre, placitus	placebo
plagi-	oblique	Greek	πλάγιος (plagios)	plagioclase
plan-	flat	Latin	planus	explanation, planar, plane
plang-, planct-		Latin	plangere, planctus	plangent
plas-	mould	Greek	πλάθω (plathō)	plasma, plastic
platy-	flat, broad	Greek	πλατύς (platus)	platypus
plaud-, -plod-, plaus-, -plos-	approve, clap	Latin	plaudere, plausus	applaud, applause, explosion, implode, plaudits, plausible
ple-, plet-	fill	Latin	plere	complement, suppletion
pleb-	people	Latin	plebs, plebis	plebian, plebs
plec-	interwoven	Greek	πλέκω (plekō)	plectics, symplectomorphism
plect-, plex-	plait	Latin	plectere, plexus	perplex
plen-	full	Latin	plenus	plenary
plesi-	near	Greek	πλησίος (plēsios)
pleth-	full	Greek	πλῆθος (plēthos)	plethora
pleur-	side	Greek	πλευρά (pleura)
plic-	fold	Latin	plicare, plicatus	duplication, replicate
plinth-	brick	Greek	πλίνθος (plinthos)
plor-		Latin	plorare	implore
plu-	rain	Latin	pluere
plum-	feather	Latin	pluma	plumage, plumate
plumb-	lead	Latin	plumbum	plumber
plur-	more	Latin	pluris	plural
plurim-	most	Latin	plurimus
plus-	more	Latin	plus	surplus
plut-	wealth	Greek	πλοῦτος (ploutos)	plutocracy
pluvi-	rain	Latin	pluvia	pluvial
pneu-	air, lung	Greek	πνεῦμα (pneuma)	pneumatic
pod-	foot	Greek	πούς, ποδός (pous, podos)	podiatry, tripod
pogon-	beard	Greek	πώγων, πώγωνος (pōgōn, pōgōnos)	pogonotrophy
poie-	make	Greek	ποιέω (poieō)	poiesis
pol-	pole	Greek	πόλος (polos)	dipole, polar
pole-, poli-	city	Greek	πόλις (polis)	metropolis, politics
polem-	war	Greek	πόλεμος (polemos)	polemic
poli-	grey	Greek	πολιός (polios)	poliomyelitis
pollic-	thumb	Latin	pollex, pollicis	pollicate
pollin-	fine flour	Latin	pollen, pollinis	pollination
poly-	many	Greek	πολύς (polus)	polygon
pon-, posit-	put	Latin	ponere, positus	component, position, postpone
ponder-	weight	Latin	pondus, ponderis	preponderance
pont-	bridge	Latin	pons, pontis	pontoon
popul-	people	Latin	populus, populare	population
por-	passage	Greek	πόρος (poros)	pore, porosity
porc-	pig	Latin	porcus	porcine, pork
porphyr-	purple	Greek	πορφύρα (porphura)	porphyrin
port-	gate	Latin	porta	portal
port-	carry	Latin	portare, portatus	export, transportation, portable
post-	after, behind	Latin	post	posterior, postscript
pot-	drink	Latin	potus, potare	potable
potam-	river	Greek	ποταμός (potamos)	hippopotamus, Mesopotamia
prasin-	leek-green	Greek	πράσινος (prasinos)	prasinous
prat-	meadow	Latin	pratum
prav-	crooked	Latin	pravus	depravity
pre-	before	Latin	prae	previous
prec-	pray	Latin	prex, precis, precāri	deprecation
pred-	prey	Latin	praeda, praedari	predator
prehend-, prend-, prehens-	grasp	Latin	prehendere, prehensus	comprehend, prehensility
prem-, -prim-, press-	press	Latin	premere, pressus	pressure
presby-	old	Greek	πρέσβυς (presbus)	Presbyterianism
preter-	past	Latin	praeter	preterite, pretermission
preti-	price	Latin	pretium, pretiare
prim-	first	Latin	primus	primary, primeval, primitive
prior-	former	Latin	prior	priority
priv(i)-	separate	Latin	privus, privare, privatus	deprivation, privilege
pro-	before, in front of	Greek	πρό (pro)	prologue, prostate
pro-	for, forward	Latin	pro	procrastinate, propulsion
prob-	worthy, good	Latin	probus, probare	probation
proct-	anus	Greek	πρωκτός (prōktos)	proctology
propri-	one's own, ownership	Latin	proprietas	appropriate, property, propriety
pros-	forward	Greek	πρός (pros)	prosenchyma, prosthesis
prot-	first	Greek	πρῶτος (prōtos)	protoplasm
proxim-	nearest	Latin	proximus, proximare	approximate, proximity
prun-	plum	Latin	prunus	prune
psamm-	sand	Greek	ψάμμος (psammos)	psammite, psammophyte, psammosere, psammous
pseud-	false	Greek	ψευδής (pseudēs)	pseudonym
psil-	bare	Greek	ψιλός (psilos)	epsilon
psych-	mind	Greek	ψυχή (psuchē)	psycho, psychology
psychr-	cold	Greek	ψυχρός (psuchros)	psychrometer
pter-	wing, fern	Greek	πτερόν (pteron)	helicopter, pterodactyl
pto-	fall	Greek	πτῶσις (ptōsis)	ptosis
ptyal-	saliva	Greek	πτύον (ptuon)
ptych-	fold, layer	Greek	πτύξ, πτυχή (ptuchē)	triptych
pub-	sexually mature	Latin	pubes	pubescent, pubic
public-		Latin	publicus	publication
pude-	shame	Latin	pudere	impudent, pudendum
pugn-	fight	Latin	pugna, pugnare	pugnacious, repugnant
pulchr-	beautiful	Latin	pulcher, pulchri	pulchritude
pulmon-	lung	Latin	pulmo, pulmonis	pulmonary
pulver-	dust	Latin	pulvis, pulveris	pulverize
pung-, punct-	prick	Latin	pungere, punctus	puncture, pungent
puni-	punish	Latin	punire, punitus	impunity, punitive
pup-	doll	Latin	pupa	pupa, puppet
pur-	pure	Latin	purus	impurity, purify
purg-	cleanse	Latin	purgare	expurgate, purgatory, purge
purpur-	purple	Latin	purpura
put-	prune, reckon	Latin	putāre	compute, putative
pyg-	rump	Greek	πυγή (pugē)	pygostyle, callipygian
pyl-	gate	Greek	πυλών, πυλῶνος (pulōn)	pylon
pyr-	heat, fire	Greek	πῦρ, πυρός (pur, puros)	pyrolysis

Q

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
quadr-	four	Latin	quattuor	quadrangle, quadrillion
quadragen-	forty each	Latin	quadrageni	quadragenary
quadragesim-	fortieth	Latin	quadragesimus	quadragesimal
quart-	fourth	Latin	quartus	quartary, quartile
quasi-	as if	Latin	quasi	quasar
quatern-	four each	Latin	quaterni	quaternary, quaternion
quati-, quass-	shake	Latin	quatere
quer-, -quir-, quesit-, -quisit-	search, seek	Latin	quaerere	Inquisition, query
qui-	rest	Latin	quies	quiet, requiem
quin-	five each	Latin	quini	quinary
quindecim-	fifteenth	Latin	quindecimus	quindecimal
quinden-	fifteen each	Latin	quindeni	quindenary
quinque-	five	Latin	quinque	quinquennium
quint-	fifth	Latin	quintus	quintary, quintile
quot-	how many, how great	Latin	quotiens	quota, quotient

R

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
rad-, ras-	scrape, shave	Latin	radere, rasus	abrade, abrasion, erasure
radi-	beam, spoke	Latin	radius, radiare	radiance, radiation
radic-	root	Latin	rādix, rādīcis	eradicate, radical
ram-	branch	Latin	rāmus	ramification, ramose
ran-	frog	Latin	rana	Rana
ranc-	rancidness, grudge, bitterness	Latin	rancere	rancid, rancor
rap-	turnip	Latin	rapum	rapeseed
raph-	seam	Greek	ῤαφή (rhaphē)
rar-	rare	Latin	rarus	rarity
rauc-	harsh, hoarse	Latin	raucus	raucous
re-, red-	again, back	Latin	re-	recede, redact
reg-, -rig-, rect-	straight	Latin	regere, rectus	dirigible, erect, erection, rectum
rem-	oar	Latin	remus	bireme, trireme
ren-	kidney	Latin	renes	renal
rep-, rept-	crawl, creep	Latin	repere, reptus	reptile
ret-	net	Latin	rete	reticle, retina
retro-	backward, behind	Latin	retro	retrograde, retrospective, retrovirus
rhabd-	rod	Greek	ῥάβδος (rhabdos)	rhabdoid, rhabdom
rhach-, rach-	spine	Greek	ῥάχις, ῥάχεως (rhachis)	rhachiodont
rhag-	tear, rent	Greek	ῥαγίζω	rhagades
rhe-	flow	Greek	ῥεῖν (rhein)	rheostat
rhig-	chill	Greek	ῥῖγος (rhigos)	rhigosaurus
rhin-	nose, snout	Greek	ῥίς, ῥινός (rhis, rhinos)	rhinoceros, rhinoplasty
rhiz-	root	Greek	ῥίζα (rhiza)	rhizome
rhod-	rose	Greek	ῥόδον (rhodon)	rhododendron
rhomb-	spinning top	Greek	ῥόμβος (rhombos)	rhombus
rhynch-	snout	Greek	ῥύγχος	Rhynchobatus
rid-, ris-	laugh	Latin	ridere, risus	derision, ridicule
robor-	oak, strength	Latin	robur, roboris	corroboration
rod-, ros-	gnaw	Latin	rodere, rosus	corrode, erosion, rodent
rog-	ask	Latin	rogare	derogatory, interrogation
rostr-	beak, prow	Latin	rostrum	rostral, rostriform, rostrum
rot-	wheel	Latin	rota, rotare	rotation, rotunda
ruber-, rubr-	red	Latin	ruber	rubric, ruby
rug-	wrinkle	Latin	ruga, rugare	corrugation
rumin-	throat	Latin	rumen, ruminis	rumination
rump-, rupt-	break	Latin	rumpere, ruptus	eruption, interrupt, rupture
rur-	country	Latin	rus, ruris	rural

S

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
sacchar-	sugar	Greek	σάκχαρον (sakcharon)	saccharin
sacr-, secr-	sacred	Latin	sacer, sacrare	consecrate, sacrament
sagac-	wise	Latin	sagax, sagacis	sagacity
sagitt-	arrow	Latin	sagitta	sagittal plane, Sagittaria
sal-	salt	Latin	sal, salis, salere	salinity
sali-, -sili-, salt-	jump	Latin	salire, saltus	resilient, salient, saltus
salic-	willow	Latin	salix, salicis	salicin
salv-	save	Latin	salvus, salvare	salvation
san-	healthy	Latin	sanus	insane, sanity
sanc-	holy	Latin	sancire, sanctus	sanctify, sanctuary
sanguin-	blood	Latin	sanguis, sanguinis	consanguinity, sanguine
sapi-, -sipi-	taste, wise	Latin	sapere	insipience, sapient
sapon-	soap	Latin	sapo, saponis	saponification
sarc-	flesh	Greek	σάρξ, σαρκός (sarx, sarkos)	sarcophagus
saur-	lizard, reptile	Greek	σαῦρος (sauros)	dinosaur
sax-	rock	Latin	saxum
scab-	scratch	Latin	scabere	scabies
scal-	ladder, stairs	Latin	scala	scalar, scale
scalen-	uneven	Greek	σκαληνός (skalēnos)	scalene muscles, scalene triangle
scand-, -scend-, scans-, -scens-	climb	Latin	scandere	ascend, transcendent, descend
scaph-	anything hollow, bowl, ship	Greek	σκάφη, σκάφος	scaphoid bone
scel-	leg, thigh	Greek	σκέλος, σκέλεος (skelos)	isosceles
schem-	plan	Greek	σχῆμα (schēma)	schematic
schis-	split	Greek	σχίζω, σχίσμα (schisma)	schism
sci-	know	Latin	scire	prescient, science
scind-, sciss-	split	Latin	scindere	rescind, scissors
scler-	hard	Greek	σκληρός (sklēros)	scleroderma, sclerosis
scoli-	crooked	Greek	σκολιός (skolios)	scoliosis
scop-, scept-	look at, examine, view, observe	Greek	σκέπτομαι, σκοπός (skopos)	horoscope, kaleidoscope, stethoscope
scrib-, script-	write	Latin	scribere, scriptus	inscribe, scripture
sculp-	carve	Latin	sculpere, sculptus	sculpture
scut-	shield	Latin	scutum	scute
scyph-	cup	Greek	σκύφος (skyphos)	Scyphozoa
se-, sed-	apart	Latin	se	secede, sedition
seb-	tallow	Latin	sebum	sebaceous, sebum
sec-, sect-, seg-	cut	Latin	secare	secant, section, segment
sed-	settle, calm	Latin	sedare, sedatus	sedative
sed-, -sid-, sess-	sit	Latin	sedere, sessus	reside, sediment, session, supersede
sedec-	sixteen	Latin	sedecim	sedecimal
seget-	in cornfields	Latin	segetum
sei-	shake	Greek	σείω, σεισμός (seismos)	seismograph
selen-	moon	Greek	σελήνη (selēnē)	Selene, selenium
sell-	saddle, seat	Latin	sella	sella turcica
sema-	sign	Greek	σῆμα (sēma)	semantics, semaphore
semi-	half	Latin	semis	semifinal
semin-	seed	Latin	semen, seminis	insemination
sen-	old man	Latin	senex, senis	senator, senility
sen-	six each	Latin	seni	senary
senti-, sens-	feel	Latin	sentire, sensus	consensus, sentient
sept-	fence, partition, enclosure	Latin	saeptum	transept
sept-	seven	Latin	septem	septennial
septen-	seven each	Latin	septeni	septenary
septim-	seventh	Latin	septimus	septimal, septime
septuagen-	seventy each	Latin	septuageni	septuagenary
septuagesim-	seventieth	Latin	septuagesimus	septuagesima, septuagesimal
septuagint-	seventy	Latin	septuaginta	Septuagint
sequ-, secut-	follow	Latin	sequere, secutus	consecutive, sequence
ser-, sat-	cultivate	Latin	serere, satus	sative
ser-	body fluid	Latin	serum	serous
ser-	late	Latin	serus	serein, serotine
serp-	crawl, creep	Latin	serpere, serptus	serpent
serr-	saw, saw-toothed	Latin	serra, serrare	serration
serv-	save, protect, serve	Latin	servare	conservation
sesqui-	one and a half	Latin	sesqui	sesquicentennial
set-	bristle, hair	Latin	saeta	seta, setose
sever-	stern, strict, serious	Latin	severus	severity
sex-, se-	six	Latin	sex	semester, sexangle, sexennium
sexagen-	sixty each	Latin	sexageni	sexagenary
sexagesim-	sixtieth	Latin	sexagesimus	sexagesimal
sext-	sixth	Latin	sextus	sextant
sibil-	hiss	Latin	sibilus, sibilare	sibilance
sicc-	dry	Latin	siccus	desiccation
sider-	star	Latin	sidus, sideris	sidereal
sign-	sign	Latin	signum	design, designate, signal
sil-	quiet or still	Latin	silere	silence
silv(i)-	forest	Latin	silva	silviculture
simi-	ape, monkey	Latin	simia	simian
simil-	likeness, trust, group	Latin	similis	assimilate, similarity
simul-	imitating, feigning	Latin	simulare	simulation
singul-	one each	Latin	singulus	singular
sinistr-	left	Latin	sinister, sinistri	sinistral
sinu-	(to draw) a line	Latin	sinuare	insinuate
sinus-	hollow, bay	Latin	sinus
siph(o)-	tube	Greek	σίφων (siphōn)	siphon
sist-	cause to stand	Latin	sistere	consist, persistence
sit-	food, grain, wheat	Greek	σῖτος (sitos)	sitology
soci-	group	Latin	socius, sociare	associate, social
sol-	sun	Latin	sol, solis	solar
sol-	comfort, soothe	Latin	solari	consolation, solace
sol-	alone, only	Latin	solus	desolate, sole, solo, solipsism
solen-	pipe, channel	Greek	σωλήν (sōlēn)	solenoid
solv-, solut-	loosen, set free	Latin	solvere, solutus	dissolve, solution
soma-	body	Greek	σῶμα, σώματος (sōma, sōmatos)	somatic
somn-	sleep	Latin	somnus	insomnia
somni-	dream	Latin	somnium
son-	sound	Latin	sonus	resonance
soph-	wise	Greek	σοφός (sophos)	sophist, sophomore
sorb-, sorpt-	suck	Latin	sorbere	absorb, absorption
sord-	dirt	Latin	sordes, sordere	sordid
soror-	sister	Latin	soror	sorority
spati-	space	Latin	spatium	spatial
spec-, -spic-, spect-	look	Latin	specere	conspicuous, inspection, specimen
spect-	watch, look at	Latin	spectare	spectator
specul-	observe	Latin	speculari	speculation
sper-	hope	Latin	spes, sperare	desperation, esperance
sperm-	seed	Greek	σπέρμα (sperma)	angiosperm
sphen-	wedge	Greek	σφήν (sphēn)	sphenoid
spher-	ball	Greek	σφαῖρα (sphaira)	sphere, spheroid
sphinct-	closing	Greek	σφίγγα	sphincter
spic-	spike	Latin	spica	spicule
spin-	thorn	Latin	spina	spine
spir-	breathe	Latin	spirare	respiration
spond-, spons-	a surety, guarantee; give assurance, promise solemnly	Latin	spondere, sponsus	respond
spondyl-	vertebra	Greek	σπόνδυλος (spondylos)	spondylosis
spu-, sput-	spew, spit	Latin	spuere	sputum
squal-	scaly, dirty, filthy	Latin	squalere	squalid, squalor
squam-	scale	Latin	squama	squamous
squarros-	spreading at tips	Latin	squarrosus	squarrose
st-	stand	Latin	stare, status	stable, station, statistic, statue, status
stagn-	pool of standing water	Latin	stagnare	stagnant
stalact-		Greek	σταλακτίτης (stalaktitēs)	stalactite
stalagm-		Greek	σταλαγμός (stalagmos)	stalagmite
stann-	tin	Latin	stannum	stannous
statu-, -stitu-	stand	Latin	statuere	institution, statute
stear-	fat, tallow	Greek	στέαρ, στέατος (stear, steatos)	stearic acid
steg-	covering	Greek	στέγη (stege), στεγανός (steganos)	steganography, Stegosaurus
stell-	star	Latin	stella	constellation, stellar
sten-	narrow	Greek	στενός (stenos)	stenography
stere-	solid	Greek	στερεός (stereos)
stern-, strat-	spread, strew	Latin	sternere, stratus	stratify
stern-	breastbone	Greek	στέρνον (sternon)	sternum
stich-	line, row	Greek	στίχος (stichos)
stigmat-	mark, puncture	Greek	στίγμα (stigma)	stigma
still-	drip	Latin	stilla, stillare	distillation
stimul-	goad, rouse, excite	Latin	stimulus	stimulate
stingu-, stinct-	apart	Latin	stinguere	distinction, distinguish
stoch-	aim	Greek	στόχος	stochastic
stom-	mouth	Greek	στόμα (stoma)	stomatoplasty
strept-	twisted	Greek	στρεπτός (streptos)	Streptococcus
strig-	compress	Latin	strix, strigis	strigogyps
strigos-	having stiff bristles	Latin	strigosus from striga	strigose
string-, strict-	upright, stiff	Latin	stringere, strictus	stringent
stroph-	turning	Greek	στροφή (strophē)	apostrophe
stru-, struct-	to make up, build	Latin	struere, structus	construction, construe
stud-	dedication	Latin	studere	student
stup-	wonder	Latin	stupere	stupor
styl-	column, pillar	Greek	στῦλος (stulos)	stylus
su-, sut-	sew	Latin	suere, sutus	suture
sui-	self	Latin	sui	sui generis, suicide
suad-, suas-	urge	Latin	suadere, suasus	persuasion
suav-	sweet	Latin	suavis	suave
sub-, su-, suf-, sug-, sus-	below	Latin	sub	submerge, suffix, suggest
subter-	under	Latin	subter	subterfuge
sucr-	sugar	Latin	succarum	sucrose
sud-	sweat	Latin	sudare	sudoriferous
sulc-	furrow	Latin	sulcus	sulcus
sum-, sumpt-	take	Latin	sumere, sumptus	assumption, consume
super-	above, over	Latin	super	supersede
supin-	lying back	Latin	supinus	supine, supination
supra-	above, over	Latin	supra	supranationalism
surd-	deaf	Latin	surdus	absurdity
surg-	rise	Latin	surgere	resurgent
syn-, sy-, syl-, sym-	with	Greek	σύν (sun)	symbol, symmetry, sympathy, synchronous, synonym, system
syring-	pipe	Greek	σύριγξ, σύριγγος (syrinx, syringos)	syringe

T

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
tac-, -tic-	be silent	Latin	tacere, tacitus	reticent, tacit
tach-	swift	Greek	ταχύς (tachus)	tachometer, tachycardia
taeni-	ribbon	Greek	ταινία (tainia)	taenidium, taeniodont, Taeniolabis
tal-	ankle	Latin	talus	talus bone
tang-, -ting-, tact-, tag-	touch	Latin	tangere, tactus	contact, tactile, tangent
tapet-	carpet	Latin	tapete, tapetis	tapestry, tapetum, tapis
tard-	slow	Latin	tardus	retard, tardigrade, tardy
tars-	ankle	Greek	ταρσός (tarsos, a flat basket)	tarsal
taur-	bull	Greek	ταῦρος (tauros)	Minotaur
taur-	bull	Latin	taurus	Taurus
tax-	arrangement, order	Greek	τάξις (taxis)	taxonomy
techn-	art, skill	Greek	τέχνη (technē)	technology
teg-, tect-	cover	Latin	tegere, tectus	integument, protection
tele-	far, end	Greek	τῆλε (tēle)	telegram, telephone, telescope
tele-	complete	Greek	τέλος (telos)	teleology
temn-	cut	Greek	τέμνω (temnō)	Temnospondyli
tempor-	time	Latin	tempus, temporis	contemporary, temporal, temporary
ten-, -tin-, tent-	hold	Latin	tenere, tentus	continent, detention, tenacious, tenor
tend-, tens-	stretch, strain	Latin	tendere, tensus	extend, extension, tensile
tenu-	slender, thin	Latin	tenuis	attenuate, tenuous
tep-	be warm	Latin	tepere	tepid, tepor
ter-, trit-	rub	Latin	terere, tritus	attrition, contrite, detritus, trite
teret-	rounded	Latin	teres, teretis	subterete, teretial
terg-, ters-	wipe	Latin	tergere, tersus	detergent, terse
termin-	boundary, limit, end	Latin	terminus	determine, terminal, termination
tern-	three each	Latin	terni	ternary, ternion
terr-	earth	Latin	terra	subterranean, terrace, terracotta, terrain
terti-	third	Latin	tertius	tertian, tertiary
test-	witness	Latin	testis	testament, testimony
tetr-	four	Greek	τέσσαρες (tessares)	tetrahedron, tetrode
tex-, text-	weave	Latin	texere, textus	context, subtle, textile, texture
thalam-	chamber, bed	Greek	θάλαμος (thalamos)	hypothalamus
thalass-	sea	Greek	θάλασσα (thalassa)	Panthalassa, thalassemia
than-	death	Greek	θάνατος (thanatos)	euthanasia, thanatology
the-, thus-	god	Greek	θεός (theos)	enthusiasm, theology
the-	put	Greek	τίθημι (tithēmi), θήκη (thēkē)	Bibliotheca, theca, theme, thesis
thel-	nipple	Greek	θηλή (thēlē)	epithelium, thelium, thelial
theori-	speculation	Greek	θεωρία (theōria)	theorem, theory
ther-	beast, animal	Greek	θήρ, θηρός (thēr)	theroid, theropod
therm-	heat, warm	Greek	θερμός (thermos)	endotherm, thermometer
thym-	mood	Greek	θυμός (thumos)	dysthymia
thyr-	door	Greek	θύρα (thura)	thyratron
thyre-	large shield	Greek	θυρεός (thureos)	Thyreophora, thyroid, thyrotropin, thyroxine
tim-	be afraid	Latin	timere	timid, timorous
ting-, tinct-	moisten	Latin	tingere, tinctus	tincture
tom-	cut	Greek	τομή (tome), τόμος (tomos)	atom, ectomy, tome
ton-	stretch	Greek	τόνος (tonos)	isotonic, monotone, tone
top-	place	Greek	τόπος (topos)	topic, topography, toponymy
torn-, tourn-	turn or rotate	Latin from Greek	tornare < τόρνος (tornos)	tornado, tournament
torpe-	numb	Latin	torpere	torpent, torpid, torpor
torqu-, tort-	twist	Latin	torquere, tortus	extortion, torque, torture
tot-	all, whole	Latin	totus	subtotal, total, totality
tox-	arrow, bow	Greek	τόξον (toxon)	toxoplasmosis
trab-	beam	Latin	trabs, trabis	trabeculae
trachy-	rough	Greek	τραχύς (trachus)	trachea
trag-	goat	Greek	τράγος (tragos)	tragus
trah-, tract-	draw, pull	Latin	trahere, tractus	subtrahend, tractor
trans-, tra-, tran-	across	Latin	trans	tradition, transcend, transportation
trapez-	four-sided, table	Greek	τράπεζα (trapeza)	trapezius, trapezoid
traum-	wound	Greek	τραῦμα (trauma)	trauma, traumatic, traumatize
trecent-	three hundred	Latin	trecenti	trecentennial, trecentillion
tredec-	thirteen	Latin	tredecim	tredecimal
treiskaidek-	thirteen	Greek	τρεισκαίδεκα (treiskaideka)	triskaidekaphobia
trem-	tremble	Latin	tremere	tremor
trema-	hole	Greek	τρῆμα (trēma)	monotreme, trematode
tri-	three	Greek	τρεῖς, τρία (treis, tria)	triad, trigon, triode, tripod
tri-	three	Latin	trēs	triangle, triumvirate, trivia
tricen-	thirty each	Latin	triceni	tricenary
tricesim-, trigesim-	thirtieth	Latin	tricesimus	trigesimal
trich-	hair	Greek	θρίξ, τριχός (thrix, trichos)	peritrichous, trichopathophobia, Trichoptera
trin-	three each	Latin	trini	trinary, trine, trinity
trit-	third	Greek	τρίτος (tritos)	tritagonist
trit-	wheat	Latin	triticum	triticale
troch-	wheel	Greek	τροχός (trochos)	trochlea
trop-	turning	Greek	τρόπος (tropos)	heliotropism, psychotropic, tropic
troph-	feed, grow	Greek	τροφή, τροφός (trophos)	dystrophy, pogonotrophy, trophic
trud-, trus-	thrust	Latin	trudere, trusus	extrusion, intrude
tuss-	cough	Latin	tussis, tussire	pertussis
tympan-	drum	Greek	τύμπανον (tumpanon)	tympani
typ-	stamp, model	Greek	τύπος (tupos)	archetype, phenotype, typography

U

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
uber-	fruitful	Latin	uber, uberare	exuberant
uligin-	in marshes	Latin	uligo, uliginis	uliginous
ulo-	wooly	Greek	οὖλος (oulos)	Ulotrichi
ultim-	farthest	Latin	ultimus	ultimate, ultimatum
ultra-	beyond	Latin	ultra	ultrasonic
umbilic-	navel	Latin	umbilicus	umbilical
umbr-	shade, shadow	Latin	umbra	penumbra, umbrella
un-	one	Latin	unus, unius	unary, unicorn, union
unc-	hooked	Latin	uncus	uncinate
unci-	ounce, twelfth	Latin	uncia	uncial
und-	wave	Latin	unda	abundant, undulate
undecim-	eleventh	Latin	undecimus	undecimal
unden-	eleven each	Latin	undeni	undenary
ungui-	claw, nail	Latin	unguis
ungul-	claw, hoof	Latin	ungula	ungulate
ur-	tail	Greek	οὐρά (oura)	uroid, uroborus
ur-	urine	Greek	οὖρον (ouron)	urology
urb-	city	Latin	urbs, urbis	suburbanite, urban, urbanism, urbanize
urg-	work	Latin	urgere	urgent
urs-	bear	Latin	ursus	Ursa Major, ursine
ut-, us-	use	Latin	uti, usus	usual, utility
uv-	grape	Latin	uva	uvea
uxor-	wife	Latin	uxor	uxoricide

V

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
vac-	empty	Latin	vacare	vacancy, vacation, vacuum
vad-, vas-	go	Latin	vadere	evade, pervasive
vag-	wander	Latin	vagus, vagare	vagabond, vague
van-	empty, vain, idle	Latin	vanus	vanity
vap-	lack (of)	Latin	vapor	evaporation, vapid, vaporize
veh-, vect-	carry	Latin	vehere, vectus	vehicle, vector
vel-	veil	Latin	velum	revelation, velate
vell-, vuls-	pull	Latin	vellere, vulsus	convulsion
veloc-	quick	Latin	velox, velocis	velocity
ven-	vein	Latin	vena	venosity
ven-	hunt	Latin	venari	venison
ven-, vent-	come	Latin	venire	advent, convention
vend-	sell	Latin	vendere	vendor, vending
vener-	respectful	Latin	venus	veneration, venereal
vent-	wind	Latin	ventus	ventilation
ventr-	belly	Latin	venter, ventris	ventral
ver-	true	Latin	verus	aver, veracious, verify, verisimilitude, verity
verb-	word	Latin	verbum	verbal, verbatim, verbosity
verber-	whip	Latin	verber	reverberation
verm-	worm	Latin	vermis	vermiform, vermin
vern-	spring	Latin	ver, vernus	vernal
vert-, vers-	turn	Latin	vertere, versus	convert, inversion, invert, vertical
vesic-	bladder	Latin	vesica	vesical
vesper-	evening, western	Latin	vespera	vesperal
vest-	clothe, garment	Latin	vestis	divest, vest
vestig-	track	Latin	vestigium	investigate
vet-	forbid	Latin	vetare	veto
veter-	old	Latin	vetus, veteris	inveterate, veteran
vi-	way	Latin	via	deviate, obvious, via
vic-	change	Latin	vicis	vice versa, vicissitude
vicen-, vigen-	twenty each	Latin	viceni	vicenary
vicesim-, vigesim-	twentieth	Latin	vicesimus	vicesimary, vicesimation, vigesimal
vid-, vis-	see	Latin	videre, visus	video, vision
vil-	cheap	Latin	vilis	vile, vilify
vill-	shaggy hair, velvet	Latin	villus	villiform
vin-	wine	Latin	vinum	vinous
vinc-, vict-	conquer	Latin	vincere, victus	invincible, victory
vir-	man	Latin	vir	virility
vir-	green	Latin	virere	virid, viridian
visc-	thick	Latin	viscum	viscosity
viscer-	organs of the body cavity	Latin	viscus, visceris	eviscerate, visceral
vit-	life	Latin	vita	vital, vitamin
vitell-	yolk	Latin	vitellus	vitellogenesis
viti-	fault	Latin	vitium	vice, vitiate
vitr-	glass	Latin	vitrum	vitreous
viv-	live	Latin	vivere	revive, survive, vivid
voc-	voice	Latin	vox, vocis	provocative, vocal, vocation
vol-	fly	Latin	volare	volatility
vol-	wish	Latin	velle	volition
volv-, volut-	roll	Latin	volvere, volutus	convolution, revolve
vom-	discharge	Latin	vomere	vomit
vor-, vorac-	swallow	Latin	vorare, vorax	devour, voracious
vov-, vot-	vow	Latin	vovere, votus	votive
vulg-	common, crowd	Latin	vulgus	divulge, vulgarity, vulgate
vulner-	wound	Latin	vulnus, vulneris	vulnerable
vulp-	fox	Latin	vulpes, vulpis	vulpine

X

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
xanth-	yellow	Greek	ξανθός (xanthos)	xanthium, xanthochromia, xanthogenic, xanthophyll
xen-	foreign	Greek	ξένος (xenos)	xenoblast, xenogamy, xenophobia, xenon
xer-	dry	Greek	ξηρός (xēros)	xeroderma, xerography, xeromorph, xerophagy, xerophile, xerophyte
xiph-	sword	Greek	ξίφος (xiphos)	xiphisternum, xiphoid, xiphophyllous
xyl-	wood	Greek	ξύλον (xulon)	xylem, xylocarp, xyloid, xylophone

Z

Root	Meaning in English	Origin language	Etymology (root origin)	English examples
zo-	animal, living being	Greek	ζῷον (zōion)	protozoa, zoo, zoology
zon-	belt, girdle	Greek	ζώνη (zōnē)	zone
zyg-	yoke	Greek	ζυγός (zugon)	heterozygous, zygote
zym-	ferment	Greek	ζύμη (zumē)	enzyme, lysozyme

See also

• Classical compound
• Hybrid word
• Interlingua
• International scientific vocabulary
• Latin
• Latin influence in English
• Lexicon Mediae et Infimae Latinitatis Polonorum
• List of Greek words with English derivatives

• List of Latin abbreviations
• List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
• List of Latin phrases
• List of Latin words with English derivatives
• List of Latinised names
• List of legal Latin terms
• Romanization (cultural)
• Wikipedia:IPA for Latin

External links

• List of Latin Derivatives
• Greek and Latin roots
• Database of Latin Dictionaries