Word Roots

Master GRE vocabulary through Latin & Greek etymology

Why Learn Word Roots?

Understanding Latin and Greek roots is one of the most effective strategies for the GRE. When you encounter an unfamiliar word, recognizing its root can help you:

Browse by Root

a-/ab-/abs-

26 words

Away, from, off

abase, abate, abdicate, aberrant, abhor...

ad-/ac-/af-

21 words

To, toward, near

accede, accelerate, acclaim, accommodate...

bene-/bon-

11 words

Good, well

benediction, beneficial, benevolent, bonus...

circum-/circ-

8 words

Around, about

circumference, circumlocution, circumspect...

con-/com-/col-

25 words

Together, with, thoroughly

concede, conciliate, concise, concurrent...

contra-/counter-

9 words

Against, opposite

contraband, contradict, contravene, contrite...

de-/dec-/dis-

25 words

Down, away, apart, not

debase, decadence, decelerate, decimate...

ex-/e-/extr-

56 words

Out, beyond, former

exacerbate, exalt, exculpate, exonerate...

in-/im-/il-/ir-

200 words

Not, in, into (prefix changes meaning)

inadvertent, inane, incisive, indigenous...

mal-/male-

10 words

Bad, evil, ill

malady, malediction, malevolent, malicious...

ob-/oc-/op-

30 words

Toward, against, over

obdurate, obfuscate, oblique, obsolete...

per-/pars-

32 words

Through, thoroughly

perceptive, perennial, perfidious, permeable...

pre-/pra-/pro-

109 words

Before, forward, for

precarious, precedent, precursor, prodigal...

re-/red-

207 words

Again, back

reactionary, recalcitrant, reconcile, recondite...

sub-/sus-/sup-

64 words

Under, below, up (secretly)

subjugate, sublime, submissive, subpoena...

trans-/tra-

59 words

Across, beyond, through

transcend, transgression, transient, transparent...

un-/uni-

63 words

Not, one, together

unanimity, uncanny, unconscionable, unique...