Greek and Latin Roots in English – Practice Flashcards

155 question-and-answer flashcards covering common Greek and Latin roots, their meanings, and representative English words.

What does the Latin prefix “ab-, a-, abs-” mean?

Away from

What does the Latin root “ac- / acu-” signify in English?

Sharp

In English, the Latin root “acerb-/acid-” relates to what quality of taste?

Sour or bitter

The Greek root “acr-” (as in acrobat) refers to what?

Height or extremity

What idea is expressed by the Latin prefix “ad-, a-, ac-, af-, ag-, al-, ap-, ar-, as-, at-”?

Movement toward or addition to

The Greek root “aer-” is associated with which natural element?

Air

What sense is invoked by the Greek root “aesthet-” (as in aesthetic)?

Feeling or sensation

The Latin root “agri- / agr-” means what in English?

Field or farmland

What color is implied by the Latin root “alb-”?

Dull white

The Latin roots “am-, amat-, amor-” are connected to which human emotion?

Love

Which meaning is carried by the Latin prefix “ambi-”?

Both or on both sides

What does the Latin root “amic- / -imic-” denote?

Friend

The Greek prefix “amph- / amphi-” means what?

Both or on both sides, around

What negative idea is given by the Greek prefixes “an-, a-”?

Not or without

The Greek prefix “ana-, an-” (as in anagram) commonly means what?

Up, again, back, or against

What does the Greek root “andr-” stand for?

Man or male

The Greek root “anem-” is the basis for words about what natural phenomenon?

Wind

The Latin roots “ann-, -enn-” are associated with what measurement of time?

Year

“Anti- / ant-” in Greek–derived words conveys which idea?

Against or opposed to

The Latin prefix “ante-” typically means what?

Before or in front of

Which living thing is indicated by the Greek root “anth-” (as in anthology)?

Flower

The Greek root “anthrop-” refers to which species?

Human

What substance does the Latin root “aqu-” relate to?

Water

The Greek combining form “archae-/arche-” means what?

Ancient

The Greek root “arthr-” (as in arthritis) designates what body part?

Joint

“Astr-” in Greek means what celestial object?

Star

What faculty is linked to the Latin root “audi-”?

Hearing or listening

The Greek prefix “aut-, auto-” emphasizes what concept?

Self

The Latin root “avi-” is connected with what type of animal?

Bird

What measurement concept stems from the Greek root “bar-”?

Weight or pressure

The Greek root “bio-” signifies what?

Life

Which medium is indicated by the Greek root “bibl-”?

Book

The Latin root “brev(i)-” conveys what idea of length or time?

Short

Which organ is described by the Greek root “cardi-”?

Heart

The Greek prefix “cata-/cat-” most often translates as what direction?

Down

The Greek root “cephal-” is a reference to what body region?

Head

Chronology is based on the Greek root “chron-,” meaning what?

Time

Gold coloration is suggested by the Greek root “chrys-.” What metal’s color is this?

Gold

The Latin root “civ-” connects to what social concept?

Citizen

Cosmos derives from the Greek root “cosm-” meaning what?

Universe or order

To “believe” links back to which Latin root?

Cred-

The Greek root “crypt-” gives the idea of something being what?

Hidden

Which shape is implied by the Greek root “cycl-”?

Circle

The Greek root “cyt-” appears in biology to mean what?

Cell

The Latin prefix “de-” commonly means what action or direction?

Down, away, or removing

The Greek root “dem-” (as in democracy) refers to which group?

People

What body part corresponds to the Latin root “dent-”?

Tooth

The Greek root “derm-” designates what outer covering?

Skin

The Greek prefix “di-” means how many?

Two

To “dictate” uses the Latin root “dict-,” meaning what?

Speak or say

Teaching and learning relate to the Latin root “doc-, doct-.” What does it mean?

Teach

The Latin root “dorm-” is connected to which state?

Sleep

The Latin prefix “du-” signifies what number?

Two

Power or force is expressed by the Greek root “dynam-.” What English word echoes this?

Dynamite (root means power)

The Greek prefix “dys-” gives what sense to a word?

Bad or difficult

The Greek root “eco-” literally means “house.” Which modern field does it name?

Ecology or economics

The Latin / Greek root “ego-” points to which pronoun?

Self or I

Equality comes from the Latin root “equ-.” What does the root literally mean?

Equal or level

The Greek root “erg-” deals with which human activity?

Work

To “err” uses a Latin root meaning what?

To stray or wander

The Greek prefix “eu-” adds what positive quality?

Good or well

The Latin root “fac-, fact-, -fic-, -fect-” means to do what?

Make or do

The Latin root “fer-” contributes what meaning?

Carry or bear

Trust is contained in the Latin root “fid-, fis-.” What is its meaning?

Faith or trust

The Latin root “fin-” is about what point in time or space?

End

Flowers and flourishing derive from which Latin root meaning “flower”?

Flor-

Breaking apart invokes the Latin root “fract-/frag-.” What does it mean?

Break

A “fugitive” includes the Latin root “fug-,” meaning what action?

To flee

Origin or birth stems from the Greek root “gen-.” What does it mean?

Race, kind, or birth

Geology is based on the Greek root “geo-,” meaning what?

Earth

Writing units called “grams” come from the Greek root “gram-.” What does it signify?

Writing or something written

The Greek root “graph-” means to do what?

Write or draw

Grateful feelings arise from the Latin root “grat-.” What does it literally mean?

Thank or please

The Latin root “greg-” gathers people into what?

A flock or group

Women’s health often uses the Greek root “gyn-.” What does it stand for?

Woman

Blood disorders such as hemophilia use which Greek root for blood?

Haem- / hem-

The Greek root “heli-” represents which celestial body?

Sun

“Heterogeneous” begins with the Greek root “heter-.” What does it mean?

Different or other

The Greek root “hom- / homo-” provides what meaning?

Same

Water science “hydrology” uses the Greek root “hydr-,” meaning what?

Water

The prefix “hyper-” in Greek conveys which degree?

Over or excessive

The Greek prefix “hypo-/hyp-” conveys what position?

Under or below

The Greek root “iso-” supplies what idea of relation?

Equal or same

Words with “ject” (eject, inject) derive from Latin “iac-/ject-.” What is the basic action?

Throw

A “junction” features the Latin root “junct-.” What does it indicate?

Join

Youthful words like “juvenile” use the Latin root “juven-,” meaning what?

Young

A kilogram gets its “kilo-” from Greek meaning what?

Thousand

The Latin root “lact-” is found in lactose. What does it denote?

Milk

The Latin root “liber-” concerns what condition?

Free

Speech about tongues uses the Latin root “lingu-.” What does it mean?

Language or tongue

Alphabet studies use “liter-,” a Latin root meaning what?

Letter

“Local” utilizes the Latin root “loc-,” which means what?

Place

Reasoning and speech tie to the Greek root “log-.” What does it signify?

Word or study

Shining words like “lucid” stem from Latin “luc-.” What is its meaning?

Light

Illumination uses the Latin root “lumin-.” What does it stand for?

Light

The Latin root “magn-” expresses what size?

Great or large

Bad conditions are labeled with the Latin prefix “mal-.” What does it mean?

Bad or ill

Maritime topics use the Latin root “mar-.” What does it denote?

Sea

Middle positions use the Latin root “medi-.” What does it mean?

Middle

Large scale words like “megaphone” employ the Greek root “mega-/meg-.” What does it mean?

Large or great