Prefixes and suffixes are added to many basic words to create new words in the English language. These basic words to which affixes (prefixes and suffixes) are added are called root words because they form the basis of a new word. For example,

the word lovely consists of the word love and the suffix -ly

Root words and base words are often used interchangeably. These two concepts are related to one another but are not the same.

Words in the English language that stand alone and can be combined with affixes (prefixes and suffixes) are called base words.  The Latin or Greek origin of a word that cannot stand on its own is called the root of that word. The basic part of a Greek or Latin word that is not independent may also be referred to as just “root.”

Here’s a list of independently existing root words👇🏾

Root Word	Meaning	Example
act	to move or do	actor
ambi	both	ambidextrous
anti	opposite or against	antisocial
aqua	water	aquarium
arch	chief, primary or first	archetype
astro	stars	astrophysics
aud	hear	audience
auto	self	automatic
bene	good or well	benefit
bi	twice	biannual
bio	life	biology
cardio	heart	cardiovascular
carn	flesh	carnivorous
chloro	green	chlorophyll
chrono	time	chronology
corp	body	corporate
crypt	to hide	cryptography
derm	skin	dermatology
dict	say	dictate
fac	to do	faculty
gen	birth	genetics
hept	seven	heptagon
iso	equal	isobar
jud	law	judgement
lum	light	luminous
meter	measure	thermometer
micro	small	microscope
multi	many	multilingual
nov	new	novice
osteo	bone	osteoporosis
port	carry	transport
quad	four	quadrilateral
sect	cut apart	sectional
sen	old	senior
sent	to feel	sensation
tele	far	television
vince	conquer	convince
vore	to eat	omnivore

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