Learn Latin & Greek roots · See how one root creates many words · Grades 4–8
A root word is the base part of a word that carries its core meaning. By learning common root words, students can figure out the meanings of many unfamiliar words they encounter while reading. Most English root words come from Latin and Greek, and knowing them is like having a secret decoder ring for vocabulary.
For example, the root word "aud" comes from Latin and means "to hear." This root appears in words like audience (people who listen), audio (relating to sound), and auditorium (a place for hearing performances). The root "graph" comes from Greek and means "to write." It shows up in autograph, biography, and photograph.
Some of the most useful root words for students include "dict" (to say), "port" (to carry), "rupt" (to break), "spec" (to look), "struct" (to build), "tract" (to pull), and "vis" (to see). When students combine these roots with common prefixes and suffixes, they can decode thousands of English words.
This interactive game teaches common root words through matching activities and word-building challenges. Students learn the meaning of each root, see example words that use it, and practice identifying roots in new words. An essential vocabulary skill for readers in grades 4 through 8.
Last reviewed: April 2026