Greek Roots

English I Pre-AP

Anthrop

Human Sample Words:

Anthropology (the study of humans)

Misanthrope (one who hates people (humans)

Philanthropy (active effort to promote human welfare)

Aster, Astro

Star Sample Words:

Astronomy (study of stars)

Astronomical (relating to stars)

Asterisk (a star-shaped punctuation mark)

Biblio

Book Sample Words:

Bibliography (a list of books and sources consulted)

Bibliophile (one who loves books)

Biblical (of or relating to the holy book of the Judeo-Christian tradition

Bio

Life Sample Words:

Biology (the study of life)

Biochemistry (chemistry of living things)

Biodegradable (capable of being broken down into harmless products by living things)

Chrom

Color Sample Words:

Chromatic (pertaining to color or colors)

Chrome (a colored pigment or dye that contains chromium)

Chron

Time Sample Words:

Synchronize (to cause to happen at the same time)

Chronic (happens time and time again)

Chronicle (an account of events in order in time)

Cosmo

World, Order, Universe Sample Words:

Cosmology (study of the origin and structure of the universe)

Cosmonaut (a Russian astronaut)

Cosmos (the orderly, systematic universe)

Cosmopolitan (having a worldwide scope/outlook)

Crac, Crat

Rule, Govern Sample Words:

Democracy (rule by the people)

Aristocracy (rule by a small, privileged class)

Aristocrat (a member of the aristocracy)

Dem

People Sample Words:

Democracy (rule by the people)

Demagogue (one who arouses discontent among people for personal political gain)

Epidemic (affecting many people at one time)

Pandemic (affecting all people)

Derm

Skin Sample Words:

Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)

Dermatology (branch of science dealing with the skin)

Dermis (the inner layer of the skin)

Ethno

Nation Sample Words:

Ethnic (of or relating to a race

or large group of people)

Ethnocentrism (exclusionary

favoring of one’s own

nation/ethnic group)

Ethnology (the study of the

origin, distribution, and

relations of human races)

Eu

Good, Well Sample Words:

Euphoria (a strong feeling of well-being)

Euphony (a pleasing, good, sweet sound)

Euphemism (the substitution of a “good” term for an offensive or unpleasant one)

Geo

Earth Sample Words:

Geology (the study of the Earth, its history, and its features)

Geography (study of the physical and cultural features of the Earth)

Geocentric (relating to or measured from the Earth’s center

Gno, Kno

To Know Sample Words:

Knowledge (that which is known)

Agnostic (one who believes that whether or not there is a higher power cannot be known)

Hydro

Water Sample Words:

Hydrotherapy (the use of water in the treatment of disease)

Hydroplane (to skim/skid over water on a surface)

Hydrogen (one of the component elements of water)

Hypno

Sleep Sample Words:

Hypnosis (an induced state which resembles sleep)

Hypnotize (to induce hypnosis)

Lith

Stone Sample Words:

Lithosphere (the outer,

“stone” part of the solid

Earth)

Monolith (a single great

stone)

Megalith (one of the huge

stones used in various

prehistoric monuments)

Logue, Logo

Idea, Word, Speech, Reason Sample Words:

Dialogue (a conversation/ speech between two people)

Monologue (a speech by one individual onstage)

Logical (can be proved by reason)

Meter, Metr

Measure Sample Words:

Diameter (the length [measure] of a straight line through the center of an object)

Metric (of or relating to a process of measurement)

Micro

Small Sample Words:

Microscope (an instrument used to view very small particles and organisms)

Microorganism (an organism so small as to necessitate the use of a microscope)

Microsecond (one millionth of a second)

Mim

To Copy, Imitate Sample Words:

Mimic (to imitate)

Mime (one who imitates

life in a ridiculous

manner)

Mimeograph (an older

version of a copy

machine)

Mono

One Sample Words:

Monologue (a speech

delivered by one person)

Monogamy (remaining

faithful to one person)

Monolingual (only able to

speak one language)

Morph

Form Sample Words:

• Anthropomorphic (having or resembling human form)

• Metamorphosis (a change in form)

• Morphology (study of the form and structure of animals and plants)

Neur, Nerv

Nerve Sample Words:

Neurology (the study of nervous system)

Nervous (of or relating to nerves)

Neurosis (a nervous disorder marked by anxiety and the use of defense mechanisms)

Path

Feeling Sample Words:

Apathy (lack of feeling/ caring)

Sympathy (inclination to think or feel alike)

Empathy (the capacity for experiencing as one’s own the feelings of another)

Philo, Phil

Love Sample Words:

• Bibliophile (one who loves books)

• Francophile (one who loves France and the French)

• Philharmonic (devoted to or appreciative of [loving] music)

Phon

Sound, Voice Sample Words:

Telephone (a device for

transmitting sound)

Phonics (deals with word

and letter sounds)

Symphony (a harmonious

arrangement of sound)

Poly

Many Sample Words:

• Polychromatic (composed of many colors)

• Polyatomic (composed of many atoms)

• Polyester (a fabric made of complex [many] ester)

Scope

To See Sample Words:

Kaleidoscope (an instrument allowing one to see a changing pattern or scene)

Telescope (an instrument for seeing things at a great distance)

Microscope (an instrument for seeing very small things)

Tom, Tomy

Cutting, Operation of Incision Sample Words: • Anatomy

• Atom (the smallest particle to which an element can be cut while still maintaining its elemental integrity)

• Appendectomy (an operation of incision in which the appendix is removed)