CAT 2022 : Learn Through Root Word Examples

Research shows that having an extensive vocabulary can really help you create a positive impression professionally. There can be a variety of ways for an individual to improve their vocabulary, one of the ways which can be termed as ‘awesome’ is: learning words through word roots. Roots are the basic component of a word and words from the same root have similar meanings. For example: the root word ‘liber’ means free. Following are some words made up from the same root:

Liberate – to set free;
Libertine – a person with a free lifestyle;
Liberty – freedom.

As you can see, that root word examples can be so useful. In this article we present to you some very important root word examples that will help you immensely in improving your word power. Oh, and by the way a confession: It is also a well known fact that people take you more seriously when you make a point starting with ‘Research shows that’ (refer to line 1)

Important Root Word Examples

Root Word	Meaning	Origin	Related Words
Herbi	grass, plant	Latin	Herbicide – any chemical used to kill unwanted plants, etc.; Herbivorous – plant-eating; Herbal – relating to plants.
Hetero	different, other	Greek	Heterogeneous – made up of unrelated parts; Heteronyms – words with same spelling but different meanings; Heterodox – not conforming to traditional beliefs.
Hex/a	Six	Greek	Hexagon – a shape with six angles/sides; Hexameter – a verse measured in six; Hexapod – having six legs.
Histo	tissue	Greek	Histology – study of the microscopic structure of tissues; Histochemistry – study of the chemical constitution of cells and tissues.
Homo, homeo	like, alike, same	Latin Greek	Homogeneous – of the same nature or kind; Homonym – sounding alike; Homeopath – a therapy that is based on treating “same with same”
Lact/o	milk	Latin	Lactate – to give milk, nurse; Lactose – the sugar contained in milk;
Later	side	Latin	Bilateral – of or involving two sides; Unilateral – affecting one side of something.
Leuk/o, leuc/o	white, colorless	Greek	Leukemia – abnormal increase of white blood cells in the blood; Leukocyte – a mature white blood cell; Leucine – a white, crystalline amino acid.
Lex	word, law, reading	Greek	Lexicology – the study and history of words; Alexia -loss of the ability to read;
Iso	equal	Greek	Isobar – a line on a map connecting points of equal barometric pressure; Isometric – having equality of measure; Isothermal – having equal or constant temperature.
Lingu	language, tongue	Latin	Linguist – one who studies languages; Multilingual – able to communicate in multiple languages; Linguine – long, flat “tongue-shaped” pasta.
Inter	between, among, jointly	Latin	International – involving two or more countries; Intersection – place where roads come together; Intercept – to stop or interrupt the course of.
Hepa	liver	Latin	Hepatitis – inflammation of the liver; Hepatoma – a tumor of the liver; Hepatotoxic – toxic and damaging to the liver.
Icon/o	image	Latin Greek	Icon – a simplified graphic of high symbolic content; iconology – science of symbols and icons; Iconoclast – someone who destroys religious images and traditional beliefs.
Idio	peculiar, personal, distinct	Greek	Idiomatic – Peculiar to a particular language; idiosyncracy – a physical or mental characteristic typical or a particular person; Idiot – someone who is distinctly foolish or stupid.
Il, in	in, into	Latin	Illuminate – to give light to; Innovation – a new idea, method, or device; Inspection – the act of examining or reviewing.
Ig, il, im, in, ir	not, without	Latin	Illegal – not legal; Impossible – not possible; Inappropriate – not appropriate; Irresponsible – not responsible.
Infra	beneath, below	Latin	Infrastructure – underlying framework of a system; Infrared – below the regular light spectrum.
Hemi	half, partial	Greek	Hemicycle – a semicircular structure; Hemisphere – one half of the earth; Hemistich – half a line of poetry.
Ject	Throw	Latin	Eject – to throw someone/something out; Interject – to throw a remark into a discussion; Project – to cast or throw something.
Jud	Law	Latin	Judgment – a decision of a court of law; Judicial – having to do with judges or courts of law; Judiciary – a system of courts of law.
Junct	Join	Latin	Conjunction – a word that joins parts of sentences; Disjunction – a disconnection; Junction – a place where two things join.
Juven	Young	Latin	Juvenile – youthful or childish; Rejuvenate – to bring back to youthful strength or appearance.
Hyp/o	Under	Greek	Hypoglycemia – an abnormally low level of sugar in the blood; Hypothermia – abnormally low body temperature; Hypothesis – a theory that is unproven but used under the assumption that it is true.

We hope these root word examples have helped you in understanding the concept of root words easily, just remember that root words are a really useful method of improving your vocabulary and keep learning with the help of more and more such root word examples.