Use Greek and Latin roots as clues to the meanings of words

Key Notes :

Why Learn About Roots?

Ever feel like words are secret codes? Learning about Greek and Latin roots is like having a decoder ring! Many English words come from these ancient languages. By knowing common roots, you can figure out the meaning of new and unfamiliar words.

Common Greek Roots

Root photo tele graph meter therm

Meaning & Examples light ( photograph, photosynthesis) far away ( telephone, television) write/draw ( autograph, biography) measure ( thermometer, kilometer) heat ( thermometer, thermal)

Common Latin Roots

Meaning & Example scarry (transport, portable) write (scribble, manuscript) look/see (inspect, spectacles) build (construct, structure) throw (eject, project)

Root port scrib/script spect struct ject

Practice Time! ✍️

Let’s put your new detective skills to the test! For each word below, try to identify the root and then guess the meaning of the word.

1. Telegram: Root: , Meaning: ________________________
2. Export: Root: Meaning: ________________________
3. Photosensitive: Root: Meaning: ________________________
4. Describe: Root: Meaning: ________________________
5. Projector: Root: Meaning: ________________________

More Practice!

Match the root to its meaning:

• a) Therm 1. Write
• b) Spect 2. Build
• c) Scrib 3. Heat
• d) Struct 4. Far away
• e) Tele 5. Look/See

Answers:

• a) 3
• b) 5
• c) 1
• d) 2
• e) 4

Next Steps

Keep an eye out for these roots in your reading! Try to decode new words you find using your root knowledge. Happy word detecting!

Let’s practice!