Greek and Latin roots in English
A
Root 
In English 
Origin Language 
Etymology (Root Origin) 
English Examples
 
ab-, a-, abs-
away
Latin
ab "away"
abnormal, abrasion, abstract, aversion,absent
ac-, acu-
sharp or pointed
Latin
acutus past participle of acuere "to sharpen", from acus "needle"
acid, acupunture
acri-
sharp, pungent, bitter, eager, fierce
Latin
acer
acrimony, acrid
acro-
height, summit, tip
Greek
Greek ἄκρος 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, affect, ascend, accept
adip-
fat
Latin
adeps, adipis "fat"
adipose
aer-, aero-
air, atmosphere
Greek
aer "air"
aeronautics, aerosol
aesth-et
feeling, sensation
Greek
aisthētikos "of sense perception" from αἰσθάνεσθαι aisthanesthai "to perceive"
aesthetics
agr-, agri-
field
Greek and Latin
from Greek ἀγρός agros and Latin ager, agr- "field"
agriculture, pilgrim
amat-, amor-
love, loved
Latin
amor "love" from amāre "to love"
amateur, amorous
ambi-
both, on both sides
Latin
ambi "on both sides", from Greek ἀμφί amphi, "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, amphibolic
ampl-
ample
Latin
amplus
amplification
an-, a-
not, without
Greek
Greek ἀν-/ἀ- "not"
anhydrous, atypical
ana-, an-
again, against, back, up
Greek
from Greek prefix ana- "again", "against"
anabaptist, anaphylaxis, anode
anima-
breath
Latin
anima "breath"
animal, animation
ann-, -enn-
year, yearly
Latin
annus "year"
anniversary, annual, millennium
ant-, anti-
against, opposed to, preventive
Greek
ἀντί anti "against"
antibiotic, antipodes
ante-, anti-
before, in front of, prior to
Latin
Latin ante "before", "against"
antediluvian, antebellum, anticipate
anth-, antho-
flower
Greek
ἄνθος anthos "flower"
anther, anthology
anthropo-, anthro-
human
Greek
anthropos "man"
anthropology, anthropomorphic
aqu-
water
Latin
aqua
aquamarine, aquarium, aqueduct
ar-
plow, till
Latin
arare
arable
ar-
be dry
Latin
arere, "be dry or parched"
arid
arche-, archi-
ruler
Greek
ἀρχή arche "rule" (in compounds: ἀρχε-, ἀρχι-)
archangel, archetype
archaeo-, archeo-
ancient
Greek
ἀρχαῖος arkhaios "ancient" from arkhē "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
ἄρκτος arktos "bear"
Arctic Ocean
argent-
silver
Latin
argentum "silver"
argent, Argentina
arthr-, arthro-
joint
Greek
arthron "joint"
arthritis, arthropod
astr-, astro-
star, star-shaped
Greek
astron "star"
astronomy
athl-
prize
Greek
ἄθλος athlos "contest, feat"
athlete
aud-, audi-
hearing, listening, sound
Latin
audire "to hear"
auditorium, auditory
aug-, auct-
grow, increase
Latin
augēre "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
αὐτός (autos) "self", "same"
automobile, autonomy
avi-
bird
Latin
avis "bird"
aviary, aviation
axi-
axis
Latin
axis "axis"
axisymmetry
axio-
merit
Greek
Greek ἄξιος (axios) "worth"
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
βαρύς (barus)
barometer, barograph, baroreceptor
basi-
at the bottom
Greek
from βαίνω, I walk, march, βάσις "step"
basic, basis
bathy-, batho-
deep, depth
Greek
βαθύς (bathús, bathýs) "deep"
batholith, bathyscaphe
be-, beat-
bless
Latin
beare, beatus
beatification
bell(i)-
war
Latin
bellum, belli
antebellum, bellicose, belligerent
ben-
good, well
Latin
bene (adverb)
benefit, benignity
bi-
two
Latin
bis, "twice"; bini, "in twos"
binoculars, bigamy, biscotti
bib-
drink
Latin
bibere, bibitus
imbibe
bibl-
book
Greek
βιβλίον (biblíon) "book"
bibliography, bible
bi(o)-
life
Greek
βίος (bíos) "life"
biology, biologist, biosphere
blenn(o)-
slime
Greek
βλέννος (blennos)
blennophobia, blennosperma
blast-
germ, embryo, bud, cell with nucleus
Greek
βλασταίνω, "I put forth shoots"
sideroblast
bon(i)-
good
Latin
bonus
bonify, bonitary
bor-
north
Greek / Latin (boreas)
Greek βορρᾶς (borras) "the north wind"
borealis
botan-
plant
Greek
βοτάνη, βότανον (botanē, botanon)
botany
bov-
cow, ox
Latin
bos, bovis
bovine
brachi(o)-
arm
Greek
βραχίων (brakhíōn) "arm"
brachial artery, brachiosaurus
brachy-
short
Greek
βραχύς (brakhús, brakhýs) "short"
brachydactyly
brady-
slow
Greek
βραδύς (bradús, bradýs)
bradycardia
branch-
gill
Greek
βράγχιον (brágkhion, bránkhion) "gill"
branchiopod, nudibranch
brev(i)-
brief, short (time)
Latin
brevis, breviare
abbreviation, brevity
briz-
nod
Greek
βρίζω (brizō)
brom-
oats
Greek
βρόμος, βρόμη (brómos, bróme) "oats"
Bromus ramosus
brom-
oats
Greek
βρόμος (brómos) "stench, clangor"
bromide
bronch-
windpipe
Greek
βρόγχος (brógkhos, brónkhos)
bronchitis
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
bursarius
bursary, disburse
C
Root 
Meaning In English 
Origin Language 
Etymology (Root Origin) 
English Examples 
cac(o)-
bad
Greek
κακος (kakos)
cacophony
cad-, -cid-, cas-
fall
Latin
cadere, casus
accident, cadence, case
caed-, -cid-, caes-, -cis-
cut
Latin
caedere, caesus
caesura, incisor
calc-
stone
Latin and Greek
from Latin calx "lime", and from Greek χάλιξ (khalix) "pebble" "limestone"
calculus, calcite, calcium
calli-
beautiful
Greek
from Greek kallos "beauty"
calligraphy
calor-
heat
Latin
archaic
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-, -cin-, cant-
sing
Latin
canere "sing"
cantata, canto, cantor
cand-
glowing, iridescent
Latin
candere "to be white or glisten"
candid, incandescent, candle, candela
cap-, -cip-, capt-, -cept-
hold, take
Latin
capere, captus "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, decapitate
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
καθαρός (katharos)
catharsis
caud-
tail
Latin
cauda
caudal
cav-
hollow
Latin
cavus "hollow"
cave, cavity, excavation
ced-, cess-
go
Latin
cedere, cessus
procession, recede
celer-
quick
Latin
celer, celerare
acceleration, celerity
cen(o)-
new
Greek
καινός (kainos)
Cenozoic
cen(o)-
empty
Greek
(kenos)
cenotaph
cens-
Latin
censere "to estimate"
census
cent-
hundred
Latin
centum "hundred"
cent, centennial, centurion
centen-
hundred each
Latin
centeni
centenary
centesim-
hundredth
Latin
centesimus
centesimal, centesimation
centr-
center
Greek
κέντρον (kéntron) "needle", "spur"
eccentric
cephalo-
head
Greek
κεφαλή kephale "head"
cephalopod, encephalogram
ceram-
clay
Greek
κέραμος (keramos)
ceramic
cerat-
horn
Greek
κέρας, κέρατος (keras, keratos) "horn"
ceratin
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
χείρ kheir "hand"
chiroptera, chiropractic
chelono-
relating to a turtle
Greek
χελώνη khelone "tortoise"
chelonia
chloro-
green
Greek
from Greek χλωρός khlōros "green"
chlorine, chlorophyll
choreo-
relating to dance
Greek
from Greek khoreia "dancing in unison" from χορός khoros "chorus"
choreography
chord-
cord
Latin
chorda "rope"
chordata
chrom-
color
Greek
χρῶμα khrōma "color"
chromosome, chromium
chryso-
gold
Greek
χρυσός khrusos "gold"
chrysolite
cili-
eyelash
Latin
cilium
cilia
cine-
motion
Greek
κινέω (kineo)
cinema
ciner-
ash
Latin
cinis, cineris
incineration
cing-, cinct-
gird
Latin
cingere, cinctus
succinct
circ-
circle
Latin
circus
circus
circum-
around
Latin
circum "around"
circumference
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
claud-, -clud-, claus-, -clus-
close
Latin
claudere, clausus
clause, exclusion, include
clav-
key
Greek
from Greek kleis "key" from κλείειν, kleiein "to close"
conclave
cl(e)ist-
closed
Greek
cleithr-
bar, key
Greek
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)
cogn-
know
Latin
cognoscere
cognitive, cognizant, recognize
col-
strain
Latin
colare, colum
colander
coll-
neck
Latin
collum
collar
color-
color
Latin
color
coloration
con-, co-, col-, com-, cor-
with, together
Latin
cum
connect, collide, compress
condi-
season
Latin
condire
condiment
con(o)-
cone
Greek
κῶνος (konos)
conic, conical
contra-
against
Latin
contra
contrast
copro-
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
cortic-
bark
Latin
cortex, corticis
cosm(o)-
universe
Greek
κόσμος (kosmos)
cosmonaut
cosmet(o)-
Greek
(kosmet-)
cosmetics, cosmetology
cost-
rib
Latin
costa
costal
cotyl-
cup
Greek
κοτύλη (kotulē)
cotyledon
crani-
skull
Greek
(kranion)
cranium
crass-
thick
Latin
crassus
crassitude
cre-
make
Latin
creare, creatus
creation, creature
crep-
boot, shoe
Greek
κρηπίς, κρηπίδος (krēpis, krēpidos)
cribr-
sieve
Latin
cribrum "a sieve"
cribble, cribrate
ring
Greek
κρίκος (krikos)
cris-, crit-
judge
Greek
κρίσις (crisis)
crisis, critic
crisp-
curled
Latin
crispus
crispate
crist-
crest
Latin
crista
cristate
cross(o)-
fringe, tassel
Greek
κροσσός (krossos)
cruc(i)-
cross
Latin
crux, crucis
crucial, crucifix, crucify
crur(i)-
leg, shank
Latin
crus, cruris
crural
crypt-
hidden
Greek
(kruptos)
cryptic, cryptography
cten(o)-
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
curr-, curs-
run
Latin
currere, cursus
concurrent, recursion
curv-
bent
Latin
curvus
curvature
cuspid-
lance, point
Latin
cuspis, cuspidis
bicuspid
cut(i)-
skin
Latin
cutis
cuticle
cyan-
blue
Greek
κυανός (kuanos)
cyanide
cycl(o)-
circular
Greek
κύκλος (kuklos)
bicycle, cycle, cyclone
cylind-
roll
Greek
κύλινδρος (kulindros)
cylinder
cyn(o)-
dog
Greek
κύων, κυνός (kuōn, kunos)
cynosure
cyst-
capsule
Greek
κύστις (kustis)
cystic
cyt(o)-
cell
Greek
κύτος (kutos)
cytoplasm
D
Root 
Meaning In English 
Origin Language 
Etymology (Root Origin) 
English Examples 
dactyl-
finger
Greek
δάκτυλος (daktulos)
dactylology, pterodactyl
damn-, -demn-
Latin
damnāre
condemn, damnation
de-
from, away from, removing
Latin
dē
delete, demented
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
δῆμος demos, people
demagogue, democracy
den-
ten each
Latin
deni
denarius, denary
dendr-, dendro-
resembling a tree
Greek
δένδρον (dendron): akin to δρύς, drys, "tree"
dendrite
dens-
thick
Latin
densus
condense, density
dent-
tooth
Latin
dens, dentis
dental, dentures
derm-
skin
Greek
δέρμα (derma) skin
hypodermic
deuter-
second
Greek
δεύτερος (deuteros)
Deuteronomy
dexter-
right
Latin
dexter
dexterity
dextro-
right
Greek
δεξ-, right
di-
two
Greek
dicot, dipole
dia-
apart, through
Greek
διά (dia)
diameter
dict-
say, speak
Latin
dicere, dictus
contradict, dictation
digit-
finger
Latin
digitus
digital
dino-
terrible, fearfully great
Greek
δεινός (deinos)
dinosaur
dipl-
double; twofold
Greek
diploid, diplosis
doc-, doct-
teach
Latin
docere, doctus
docile, doctor
dodec-
twelve
Greek
δώδεκα (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, duration, duress, endure, obdurate
dy-
two
Greek
(duo)
dyad
dys-
badly, ill
Greek
δυσ-
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, I (first person)
Latin, Greek
ego, ἐγώ
egocentric
ego-, eg-
goat
Greek
αἴξ (aix)
egophony
em-, empt-
buy
Latin
emere, emptus
exemption, redeem
eme-
vomit
Greek
(emetos)
emetic
emul-
striving to equal, rivaling
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-, eos-, eoso-
dawn, east
Greek
Eocene
epi-, ep-
upon
Greek
(epi)
epicenter, epoch
epistem-
knowledge or science
Greek
epistemic
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
ερυθρος (eruthros)
erythrocyte
eso-
within
Greek
(esō)
esoteric
etho-, eth-, ethi-
custom, habit
Greek
ἦθος (ethos)
ethology
ethm-
sieve
Greek
ethmoid
ethn-
people, race, tribe, nation
Greek
(ethnos)
ethnic, ethnarch
etym(o)-
true
Greek
(etumos)
etymology
eu-
well
Greek
(eu)
euphoria
eur-
wide
Greek
(eurus)
Europe
ex-, e-, ef-
from, out of
Latin
ex
exclude, extrude, extend
exo-
outside
Greek
exothermic
exter-, extra-
outer
Latin
exterior
extrem-
outermost, utmost
Latin
extremus
extremity, extremophile
F

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