USE KNOWLEDGE OF WORD ROOTS TO LEARN NEW WORDS
Memorizing new words can be hard. However, you can increase your vocabulary quickly by practicing words that are related to each other. Even if you do not know the exact meaning of a word, you can sometimes guess correctly if you know the different parts. This lesson focuses onroot words, or the basic word before other parts are attached to it.
A root word can have parts attached to the beginning (a prefix) or ending (a suffix). Prefixes and suffixes have standard meanings. So if you know the meaning of the root, plus the meanings of the parts attached, you can guess the meaning of a word which is new to you. Sometimes the spelling of the root word changes a little bit when a part is added to it.
For example, you know the adjective happy. If you add the prefix un-, which means “not,” the new word is unhappy. This word means “not happy.” The suffix -est means “most,” so happiest means “most happy.” The suffix -ness turns and adjective into a noun, so happiness is the state of being happy.
Sometimes two words are put together to make a new word. These compound words are usually easy to understand when you know the meaning of both words. For example, earth means “ground” and quake means “shake,” so an earthquake is when the ground shakes. However, when learning a new word it is important to check the meaning in a dictionary to be sure your guess is correct.
You can also use a dictionary to put together a list of words with the same root. Most dictionaries have a section, often in smaller writing or italics, that shows the parts of the word. If you look up a new word, you can find the root word and its meaning. Because the basic meaning and spelling are the same, it is easier to memorize many new words at the same time. For example, the root memor- means “to think again.” So your word list could be: remember (to think again), memory (a thought), memorial (something, like a statue or holiday, that is created to celebrate an event), memorabilia (objects that are important because they are related to an event, for example, a movie poster).
A few common root words to start with are:
A root word can have parts attached to the beginning (a prefix) or ending (a suffix). Prefixes and suffixes have standard meanings. So if you know the meaning of the root, plus the meanings of the parts attached, you can guess the meaning of a word which is new to you. Sometimes the spelling of the root word changes a little bit when a part is added to it.
For example, you know the adjective happy. If you add the prefix un-, which means “not,” the new word is unhappy. This word means “not happy.” The suffix -est means “most,” so happiest means “most happy.” The suffix -ness turns and adjective into a noun, so happiness is the state of being happy.
Sometimes two words are put together to make a new word. These compound words are usually easy to understand when you know the meaning of both words. For example, earth means “ground” and quake means “shake,” so an earthquake is when the ground shakes. However, when learning a new word it is important to check the meaning in a dictionary to be sure your guess is correct.
You can also use a dictionary to put together a list of words with the same root. Most dictionaries have a section, often in smaller writing or italics, that shows the parts of the word. If you look up a new word, you can find the root word and its meaning. Because the basic meaning and spelling are the same, it is easier to memorize many new words at the same time. For example, the root memor- means “to think again.” So your word list could be: remember (to think again), memory (a thought), memorial (something, like a statue or holiday, that is created to celebrate an event), memorabilia (objects that are important because they are related to an event, for example, a movie poster).
A few common root words to start with are:
- cycle: means a circle or ring; used in bicycle, motorcycle, recycle
- serve: means save, or keep; used in conserve, reservation, preserve
- port: means carry; used in portable, import, export, transport
- act: means to do something; used in activity, action, react
Understanding root words is an excellent way to learn new words. You can practice looking for them when you are reading, and you can create lists with the same roots to increase your vocabulary.
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