What are Root Words in English?

by | Jan 19, 2025 | Intermediate Vocabulary

Are you wondering about what are the root words in English?

Root words in English grammar are the words that are the base word, and it helps to make new words by adding prefixes and/or suffixes.

In this article, you will learn the root words and how to boost your English vocabulary by making new words with root words.

Let’s get started!

A root word is a word without prefixes or suffixes added to it. 

A prefix is a group of letters added at the beginning of the root word.

A suffix is a group of words added at the end of the words.

Why are they called root words?

They are called root words because they help make new words. They act like a tree’s roots, providing the foundations for new branches to grow and flourish.

Why you need to learn the root words in English

  • Expand vocabulary
  • improve spelling proficiency
  • improve reading comprehension skills
  • decode unknown words

Examples of Root Words

1. Root Word: Civ

  • Civil
  • Civilization
  • Uncivilized
  • Civic

2. Root Word: Friend

  • Friendly
  • Unfriendly
  • Friendship
  • Befriend

3. Doc

  • Document
  • Indocutrinate
  • Doctor
  • Documentary

Val

  • Value
  • Evaluate
  • Valor
  • Valid

Terr

  • Terrain
  • Extraterrestrial
  • Subterranean
  • territory

Port

  • Transportation
  • Portable 
  • Import/Export
  • Portal

Gen

  • General 
  • Gender
  • Generic
  • Genrerate
  • Genre

Audi

  • Audio
  • Audience
  • Inaudible
  • Audition

Scribe/script

  • Describe/Description
  • Manuscript
  • Scribble

Cycle

  • Bicycle
  • Motorcycle
  • Cyclis
  • Cyclical

Examples of Common Prefixes

Examples of Common Prefixes

Prefixes

Prefix added to the root word

Ab Abnormal
Al Almighty
Co Co-education
il illegal
im immature
Mis Misbehave
Non Nonfiction
Un Undress
Un Unhappy

Examples of Common Suffixes

Examples of Common Suffixes

List of Root Words

Here is a list of common roots words:

[dvmd_table_maker tbl_row_header_count=”0″ tbl_responsive_mode=”off” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#DFB758″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=”Latin Root ambi aqua aud bene cent circum contra/counter dict duc/duct fac form fort fract ject jud mal mater mit mort multi pater port rupt scrib/scribe sect/sec sent spect struct vid/vis voc” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=”Definition both water to hear good one hundred around against to say to lead to do; to make shape strenght to break throw judge bad mother to send death many father to carry to break to write to cut to feel; to send to look to build to see voice; to call” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=”Examples ambiguous, ambidextrous aquarium, aquamarine audience, audition benefactor, benevolent century, percent circumsference, circumstance contradict, encounter dictation, dictator conduct, induce factory, manufacture confrorm, reform fotitude, fortress fracture, fraction projection, rejection judicial, prejudice malevolent, malefactor material, maternity transmit, admit mortal, mortician multimedia, multiple paternal, paternity portable, transportation bankrupt, disuption inscription, prescribe bisect, section consent, resent inspection, spectator destruction, restructure video, televise vocalize, advocate” col_column_max_width=”1.4fr” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][/dvmd_table_maker]

I hope this article helped you to find the answer of ‘what are root words in English?’ 

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our newsletter for more articles on grammar, vocabulary, and language learning.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest updates.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter form to get the latest updates and blog articles on English grammar, vocabulary, and English learning tips right in your inbox.