Determine the meanings of words with Greek and Latin roots

Key Notes :

What are Roots?

Think of roots like the bottom part of a plant. They hold the plant in place and give it life! Word roots do the same thing. They give a word its basic meaning.

Common Greek Roots

Greek Roots	Examples:
Root: Homo Meaning: Same	Homophone: words that sound the same but are spelled differently Homogeneous: made of parts that are all the same
Root: cycl- Meaning: circle	Cycle: a repeating series or circle Cyclone: a circular storm
Root: graph Meaning: Write	Graph: A drawing or diagram that writes data. Autograph: Your own written signature.
Root: Path Meaning: Feeling	Sympathy: showing care for someone else’s feelings Empathy: understanding another person’s feelings

Common Latin Roots

Latin Roots	Examples:
Root: aqua Meaning: Water	Aquarium: A tank filled with water for fish. Aquatic: Living in water.
Root: Man Meaning: Hand	Manual: something done by hand Manage: to handle or control something
Root:Bene Meaning: Good	Benefit: something that is good or helpful Beneficial: something that does good or helps
Root: Aud Meaning: Hear	Audio – something you can hear Audience – a group of people who listen or watch

Word Detective Challenge!

Now it’s your turn! Can you figure out what these words mean using the roots we learned?

• Photograph
• Aquatic
• Telephone

Use what you know about the roots to become a super word detective! You got this!

Learning about Greek and Latin roots is like having a secret key to unlock the meanings of tons of words! Keep practicing, and you’ll become amazing word detectives!

Let’s practice!