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Chat with Pitampura : 8287299204
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Chat with South Extension : 9810735296
Whatsapp
WhatsApp your nearest Branch
Chat with Pitampura : 8287299204
Chat with Laxmi Nagar : 8287299204
Chat with Rajouri Garden : 9810735296
Chat with South Extension : 9810735296
Call your nearest Branch
Pitampura : 9540127373
Laxmi Nagar : 9540127878
Rajouri Garden : 9319608182
South Extension : 9810735296
Phone
Call your nearest Branch
Pitampura : 9540127373
Laxmi Nagar : 9540127878
Rajouri Garden : 9319608182
South Extension : 9810735296

Origin of English Root Words

Explore thought-provoking English learning blogs
Explore thought-provoking English learning blogs

Origin of English Root Words

Root words are the foundation of most English vocabulary. Over 60% of English words come from Latin and Greek, making them essential for every English learner. When you understand root words, you don't just memorise vocabulary—you understand its logic. This makes reading, writing, and even spelling much easier. Root learning builds powerful connections. For example, the root "friend" links to friendly, unfriendly, befriend, and friendliness. Even without knowing every definition, you can guess meanings. So, if learning vocabulary feels boring, don't worry. Root words make it simple and fun!

Root words are the foundation of most English vocabulary. Over 60% of English words come from Latin and Greek, making them essential for every English learner.

Origin of English Root Words

Table of Contents

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    Discover why roots are key to learning English

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    Learn how "friend" leads to many other words

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    Understand the meaning behind Greek and Latin roots

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    Use common roots like "logy," "side," and "migr."

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    Know how "phobia," "tox," and "Somnia" work

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    Explore government roots like "crazy" and more

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    Boost memory and vocabulary with root families

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    Use root learning as your lifelong language skill

Why Learn Root Words?

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    • Builds Knowledge – Learning roots gives cultural and historical depth.
    • Improves Guesswork – Recognize word patterns like "friend" and "friendly."
    • Boosts Vocabulary – Knowing one root can explain 10+ words.
      • Root words are the building blocks of English. One Root opens many doors, helping in reading, spelling, and writing.


Root: The – Religion & Belief

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    • Theist – Believer in God
    • Atheist – One who doesn't believe in God
    • Monotheist – Believes in one God (Mono = one)
    • Polytheist – Believes in many gods (Poly = many)
    • Pantheist – Believes in all gods (Pan = all)
      • Root "Thei" adds a belief/religion layer; the prefix sets the number or type.


Root: Logy – Study of...

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    • Theology – Study of Religion
    • Anthropology – Study of humans
    • Morphology – Study of structures
    • Zoomorphism – Giving animal form to gods
    • Amorphic – No definite form
      • "Logy" always signals study. Add any subject before it to find meaning.


Root: Phobia – Fear of Something

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    • Zoophobia – Fear of animals
    • Androphobia – Dislike of men
    • Gynophobia – Dislike of women
    • Demophobia – Fear of crowds
    • Anthropophobia – Fear of people or preferring loneliness
      • Phobia roots reveal deep fears—emotional vocabulary becomes easier to understand.


Root: Cious – Habit or Trait

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    • Loquacious – Very talkative
    • Voracious – Eats a lot
    • Avaricious – Greedy
    • Pugnacious – Always ready to fight
      • "cious" = tendency or action. These describe strong personality traits.


Root: Cide – To Kill or Destroy

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    • Infanticide – Killing of a child
    • Matricide – Killing of mother
    • Patricide – Killing of father
    • Fratricide – Killing of brother
    • Uxoricide – Husband kills wife / Mariticide – Wife kills husband
      • "cide" is powerful in law, crime, and psychology.


Roots: Migr & Pan – Move or All

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    • Migrant – One who moves from place to place
    • Immigrant – One who moves to settle
    • Panorama – Full 360° view
    • Pandemic – Affecting everyone
      • "Migr" relates to motion; "Pan" relates to totality or all.


Root: Tox – Poison Related

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    • Toxic – Poisonous
    • Detox – Remove poisonss
    • Intoxicated – Affected by drugs
    • Toxicology – Study of poisons
      • "Tox" roots appear in health and danger-related vocabulary.


Root: Cracy – Rule or Government

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    • Democracy – Rule by people
    • Autocracy – Rule by one person
    • Plutocracy – Rule by wealthy
    • Mobocracy – Rule by mob or chaos
    • Theocracy – Rule by religious leaders
    • Meritocracy – Rule by performance
    • Gerontocracy – Rule by aged/experienced
    • Kleptocracy – Rule by thieves
    • Bureaucracy – Rule by government officials
    • Aristocracy – Rule by noble families
      • "Cracy" roots reveal systems and authority types—functional in current affairs and politics.


Root: Somnia – Sleep

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    • Insomnia – Lack of sleep
    • Somniferous – Causes sleep
    • Somnambulist – Walks in sleep
    • Somniloquist – Talks in sleep
      • "Somnia" helps describe sleep patterns and disorders—often used in medicine.


Final Takeaways

  • - One Root = Many Words: Learn faster by grouping words.
  • - Guess Better: Root knowledge boosts confidence.
  • - Greek + Latin = English Base: Core for English mastery.
  • - Roots Give History: Know more than just meaning.
  • - Great for exams: It helps in competitive tests, too.
  • - Daily Life Use: Use root logic in conversations.
  • - Root Learning = Smart Vocabulary Growth

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Oxford School of English Branches

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Pitampura Branch
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365 Kohat Enclave, Near Kohat Metro Station Gate No. 3, North Delhi -110034

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9540127373

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011 - 45680574

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Laxmi Nagar
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E 354, Nirman Vihar, Adjacent to Nirman Vihar Metro Station Gate Number 2, East Delhi -110092

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9540127878

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011 - 40159334

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South Extension
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E 10, Part-I, Near South Extension Metro Station, South Extension, South Delhi -110049

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9810735296

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011 - 41255102

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Rajouri Garden
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A 4, Vishal Enclave, opposite Metro Pillar No. 411, West Delhi -110027

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9319608182

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011 - 41255104

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