While Latin is now considered a dead language, its traces can be found in many of the words we use every single day.
Studying the most common Latin roots can help you to understand words you might never have used or even heard before, a skill that can be incredibly helpful in everyday life.
What Is a Root Word?
A root word is a word that can form the base for a number of other words with the addition of prefixes (letters before the root) or suffixes (letters after the root).
Latin root words are words that used to stand alone in the Latin language. While you likely won’t hear someone speaking Latin on the streets these days, its roots can be found in many of the words you use every day.
| Latin Root | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ambi | both | ambiguous, ambidextrous |
| aqua | water | aquarium, aquamarine |
| aud | to hear | audience, audible |
| bene | good | benefactor, benevolent |
| cent | one hundred | century, percent |
| circum | around | circumference, circumstance |
| contra/counter | against | contradict, encounter |
| dict | to say | dictation, dictator |
| duc/duct | to lead | conduct, induce |
| fac | to do; to make | factory, manufacture |
| form | shape | conform, reform |
| fort | strength | fortitude, fortress |
| fract | to break | fracture, fraction |
| ject | throw | projection, rejection |
| jud | judge | judicial, prejudice |
| mal | bad | malevolent, malefactor |
| mater | mother | material, maternity |
| mit | to send | transmit, admit |
| mort | death | mortal, mortician |
| multi | many | multimedia, multiple |
| pater | father | paternal, paternity |
| port | to carry | portable, transportation |
| rupt | to break | bankrupt, disruption |
| scrib/scribe | to write | inscription, prescribe |
| sect/sec | to cut | bisect, section |
| sent | to feel; to send | consent, resent |
| spect | to look | inspection, spectator |
| struct | to build | destruction, restructure |
| vid/vis | to see | video, televise |
| voc | voice; to call | vocalize, advocate |
Do All Words Have a Root?
Not all words have prefixes and suffixes to indicate changes to a root or base word.
However, many English words can be traced back to either Latin or Greek roots, which is why studying them can be so helpful when it comes to understanding your own language.
Build Your Vocabulary
A broad vocabulary can make you both a better writer and a more effective communicator. Understanding Latin roots can help you to expand your vocabulary, and using a vocabulary builder app is a great way to start.
If you want to flex those brain muscles right now by learning a few new words, check out our list of 25 weird English words that we’d bet you’ve never heard of!
How do you like to build your vocabulary? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
