List of Common Greek Root Words
Study common Greek roots, their meanings, and example words for vocabulary and language arts practice.
Most Common Greek Root Words
- aero - air: aerobics, aerodynamics, aeronautics, aerate
- arch - ruler or leader: monarch, archbishop, matriarch
- ast - star: astronaut, astronomy, disaster, asterisk, asteroid
- biblio - book: bibliography, Bible, bibliotherapy
- bio - life: biology, biography, biochemistry, biopsy, biosphere
- chron - time: chronological, synchronize, chronicle, chronic
- cosm - universe: cosmonaut, cosmos, cosmopolitan, microcosm
- cycl - circle or ring: bicycle, cyclone, cycle, encyclopedia, recycle
- dem - people: democracy, demography, endemic, epidemic
- gen - birth or race: generation, generate, genocide, progeny, genealogy
- geo - earth: geography, geometry, geology, geophysics
- gnos - know: diagnose, prognosis, agnostic
- gram - letter or written: telegram, diagram, grammar, epigram, monogram
- graph - write: photograph, phonograph, autograph, biography, graphite
- mech - machine: mechanic, mechanism, mechanize
- meter - measure: thermometer, centimeter, diameter, barometer
- onym - name: synonym, antonym, pseudonym, anonymous
- opt - eye: optician, optometrist, optic, optical
- ortho - straight or right: orthodontist, orthodox, orthopedist, orthography
- path - disease or feeling: pathology, sympathy, empathy
- ped - child: pedagogy, pediatrician, encyclopedia
- phon - sound: phonograph, symphony, telephone, microphone, phonics
- photo - light: photograph, telephoto, photosynthesis, photogenic
- poli - city: metropolis, cosmopolitan, police, political
- psych - mind or soul: psychology, psyche, psychopath, psychiatrist
- saur - lizard: dinosaur, brontosaurus, stegosaurus
- scop - see: microscope, telescope, periscope, stethoscope
- soph - wise: philosopher, sophomore, sophisticated
- therm - heat: terminal, terminate, determine, exterminate