Understanding the Extro Root Word: Definitions and Examples

Definition & Meaning: Extro Root Word

What does the Extro Root Word mean? Extro is an invented prefix designed to generate words that are the opposites of those in intro-. The only common word containing it is extrovert (Latin vertere, to turn) for an outgoing, socially confident person, though the original form extravert is found in psychology. Other examples, such as extrospection, the consideration and observation of things external to the self, are rare.

Extro root word tree diagram with extrovert, extroversion, and extrorse.

Words Based on the Extro Word Root

Commonly Used Words based on the Word Root Extro

Extrovert: An outgoing, socially confident person.
Extroversion: The quality of being outgoing and directing attention to things other than yourself.
Extrorse: Turned outwards.

Archaic Words based on the Word Root Extro

Extrospection: The consideration and observation of things external to the self.

Technical Words/Jargon based on the Word Root Extro

Ambidextrous: Able to use the right and left hands equally well.
Dextro: On or to the right.
Dextroamphetamine: A potent central nervous system stimulant and amphetamine enantiomer that is prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy.
Dextrorotary: (Of a compound) having the property of rotating the plane of a polarized light ray to the right, i.e., clockwise facing the oncoming radiation.
Dextrose: The dextrorotatory form of glucose (and the predominant naturally occurring form).
Dexterous: Showing or having skill, especially with the hands.

Related Word Roots

Exploring related word roots enhances our grasp of the interconnectedness of language:

Exo- (Greek: Outside): Used to describe external or outward aspects.
- Exoskeleton: A rigid external covering for the body in some invertebrate animals.
- Exoplanet: A planet that orbits a star outside the solar system.
Extra- (Latin: Beyond): Indicating outside or beyond.
- Extraordinary: Very unusual or remarkable.
- Extraterrestrial: Of or from outside the Earth or its atmosphere.
Peri- (Greek: Around): Used to describe something surrounding or enclosing.
- Perimeter: The continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometric figure.
- Periscope: An apparatus consisting of a tube attached to a set of mirrors or prisms, by which an observer can see things that are otherwise out of sight.

We hope this article on the commonly used Extro Root Word has been helpful to you in remembering the words based on the Root Word Extro and enhancing your vocabulary. We can see how much easier it becomes to memorize any word if we can link it with something that we can never forget. That is the power of word roots that can help us to break down complex words and easily fathom their meaning.