What is Answerbag?

Ask questions and share your knowledge with the world here on Answerbag. Get the best answers where there are no duplicate questions and questions are always open - our community of over 1,140,000 will find your answer!

Join For Free!
 

What Is the Meaning of Root Word?

Friday, November 06, 2009
Related Tags: prefixes | vocabulary | suffixes | roots | meaning
 

Instructions

Roots

  • Step 1:
    The root word is like the root of a plant -- it's the part of the word to which everything else is attached. Becoming familiar with common root words and their meanings will help you understand a number of other words based on those roots, even if you've never seen the word before.

Examples

  • Step 1:
    The root "cred" comes from the Latin word "credere," which means "to believe." So words with this root usually have something to do with belief. For example, "incredulous" means "expressing disbelief," and "credible" means "believable."

Prefixes

  • Step 1:
    Prefixes, such as "dis-" or "anti-," are added to the front of a root to form a new word. The new word will have a different meaning, but one that is related to the original root word.

Suffixes

  • Step 1:
    Suffixes, such as "-ed" or "-able," are added to the end of a root word to form a new word. As with prefixes, adding a suffix changes the meaning from the original word.

Practice

  • Step 1:
    Familiarity with common roots, prefixes and suffixes will make spelling, reading, writing and vocabulary much easier. Websites such as those listed below, as well as numerous root-based vocabulary books, provide exercises to help you improve your understanding.

Resources


What Is the Meaning of Root Word? Provided by eHow.com
Related Content
SAT Vocabulary Practice
The SAT is required part of most college applications. How well you score may determine whether or not you get into a college and how much scholarship money you can get. The vocabulary portion of...
Medical Terminology Exercises
Medical terminology is the words or language used by health care professionals to identify anatomical structures, diagnoses, instruments, procedures, protocols and medications. When you first...
Medical Terminology Tutorial
Medical terminology is the vocabulary or language used to depict medical procedures, conditions/diagnoses, protocols, instruments, treatments, medications and anatomical parts and structures....
Medical Term Definitions
Medical terminology is the language that's used to represent the human body and its related conditions, symptoms, protocols and processes. The vocabulary is generally science-based and employs a...
Medical Definitions & Terms
Becoming familiar with medical definitions and terms may seem like a daunting task, but it can be simplified enough for most people to grasp. The trick is to break a word or term down into its...