Greek Roots

Greek Roots
Words in Context I

What are Roots?

In vocabulary, a root is the core part of a word that carries its primary meaning.

It is the base from which other words can be formed by adding prefixes, suffixes, or other modifications.

Roots are derived from ancient languages, such as Greek or Latin, and they provide the fundamental meaning of a word.

For example: The root "bio" means "life" in Greek. Words like "biology", "biography", and "biodegradable" derive from this root.

Why Roots Matter

Understanding Word Meanings:

Roots help in decoding unfamiliar words by revealing their core meaning.
For instance, knowing that "graph" means "to write" helps understand words like "autograph" (a signature) or "telegraph" (a device for sending written messages over long distances).

Why Roots Matter

Building Vocabulary:

Recognizing roots can significantly expand vocabulary.
Once you learn a root, you can apply it to understand multiple words.

For instance, knowing "chrono" (time) helps in understanding "chronology" (the study of time) and "synchronize" (to occur at the same time).

Why Roots Matter

For Example:

Root: Aqua

Possible words that you could come up with:
Aquarium Aquatic Aquifer Aqueduct Aquaduct could all be answers!

Greek Roots

​The Main Roots

Today we will go over the top 20 Greek roots used in the English language.

Pay attention and win

What is the root that goes with the picture?

hydro (water)
hydrophobic (waterproof)

Open Ended

Type as many words as you can in 30 seconds that have the root:

hydro

What is the root that goes with the picture?

Bio (life)
biodegradable

Open Ended

Type as many words as you can in 30 seconds that have the root:

bio

What is the root that goes with the picture?

Chrono (time)
chronic

Open Ended

Type as many words as you can in 30 seconds that have the root:

chrono

What is the root that goes with the picture?

Demo (people)
demographic

Open Ended

Type as many words as you can in 30 seconds that have the root:

demo

What is the root that goes with the picture?

Geo (earth)
geography

Open Ended

Type as many words as you can in 30 seconds that have the root:

geo

Multiple Choice

Chrono

• life

• time

• water

• earth

Multiple Choice

bio

• life

• time

• water

• earth

Multiple Choice

geo

• people

• time

• water

• earth

Multiple Choice

demo

• people

• time

• water

• life

Which root goes with this picture?

graph (write, draw)
autograph

Open Ended

Write as many words in 30 seconds as you can with the root:

graph

Which root goes with this picture?

log (word, study)
dialogue

Open Ended

Write as many words in 30 seconds as you can with the root:

log

Which root goes with this picture?

meta (beyond, change)
metaphor

Open Ended

Write as many words in 30 seconds as you can with the root:

meta

Which root goes with this picture?

Micro (small)
microscope

Open Ended

Write as many words in 30 seconds as you can with the root:

micro

Which root goes with this picture?

Philo (love)
bibliophile

Open Ended

Write as many words in 30 seconds as you can with the root:

philo (phile)

Multiple Choice

beyond/change

• meta

• log

• micro

• philo

Multiple Choice

small

• meta

• log

• micro

• philo

Multiple Choice

love

• meta

• log

• micro

• philo

Multiple Choice

word, study

• meta

• log

• micro

• graph

Multiple Choice

write, draw

• meta

• log

• micro

• graph

What root goes with this picture?

Vid/Vis (see)
video

Open Ended

Write as many words in 30 seconds as you can with the root:

vid/vis

What root goes with this picture?

Therm (heat)
thermometer

Open Ended

Write as many words in 30 seconds as you can with the root:

therm

What root goes with this picture?

astro (star)
astronomical (large)

Open Ended

Write as many words in 30 seconds as you can with the root:

astro

What root goes with this picture?

Soph (wise)
philosopher

Open Ended

Write as many words in 30 seconds as you can with the root:

soph

What root goes with this picture?

Psyche (mind, soul)
psychosomatic

Open Ended

Write as many words in 30 seconds as you can with the root:

psych

New Game

​What Word is it?

I will show you a definition of a word.

Look at the words and (using the roots as a guide) choose the word that matches the definition!