Root Words and Their Meanings with Examples
Root words form the foundation of the English language. Understanding them can significantly improve vocabulary, comprehension, and even test scores. Many competitive exams, including SSC, Bank, and UPSC, often include questions based on root words.
Here’s a detailed list of common root words, their meanings, and example sentences to help you learn effectively.
1. Ambi – Both Sides
This root refers to duality, meaning "both" or "around."
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Ambidextrous | A person who can use both hands efficiently | He writes with both hands because he is ambidextrous. |
| Ambiguous | A statement with multiple interpretations | His answer was ambiguous, so I wasn’t sure what he meant. |
| Ambivalent | Having contradictory feelings | She feels ambivalent about moving abroad because she loves her home but wants new experiences. |
| Ambivert | A mix of extrovert and introvert | I am neither too social nor too reserved; I am an ambivert. |
📌 Did You Know? Leonardo da Vinci was ambidextrous and could paint with both hands!
2. Ami/O – Love, Friendship
Words related to love, kindness, and friendly relationships.
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Amiable | Friendly and pleasant | The new teacher is very amiable, and students like her. |
| Amity | Peaceful and friendly relations | The two countries signed a treaty to maintain amity. |
| Amorous | Showing romantic love | He wrote an amorous letter to his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day. |
🧐 Interesting Fact: The word "amity" is used in diplomacy to refer to peaceful relations between countries.
3. Andr/O – Man, Male, Husband
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Androgynous | Having both male and female traits | The fashion industry often promotes androgynous styles. |
| Android | A robot resembling a human | Sophia, the AI robot, is an advanced android. |
| Misandry | Hatred towards men | His misandry made it difficult for him to work with male colleagues. |
| Polyandry | A woman having multiple husbands | Polyandry is rare but exists in some cultures. |
🔎 Fascinating! Google named its mobile operating system Android because it was designed for human-like interaction.
4. Anim – Life, Spirit
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Animal | A living organism | The zoo has a variety of wild animals. |
| Animate | To bring something to life | The cartoonist animated the character beautifully. |
| Equanimity | Staying calm under stress | Despite the crisis, she maintained her equanimity. |
💡 Quick Tip: If you ever feel stressed, practice equanimity—staying calm under pressure.
5. Ann/Enn – Year, Time
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Anniversary | An event celebrated yearly | Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. |
| Annual | Happening once a year | The company organizes an annual trip for employees. |
| Biennial | Occurring every two years | The art festival is a biennial event. |
| Millennium | A period of 1,000 years | The year 2000 marked the beginning of a new millennium. |
📅 Example: The millennium celebrations in 2000 were grand worldwide!
6. Cide – Killing, Murdering
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Suicide | Killing oneself | Suicide prevention helplines save many lives. |
| Homicide | Killing another human | The detective investigated the homicide case. |
| Genocide | Mass killing of a race/community | History has witnessed several tragic genocides. |
| Patricide | Killing one’s father | In mythology, some characters are guilty of patricide. |
⚠️ Serious Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately.
7. Mania – Obsession, Madness
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Dipsomania | Addiction to alcohol | He was admitted to rehab due to dipsomania. |
| Kleptomania | Urge to steal | Kleptomania makes people steal things unnecessarily. |
| Pyromania | Obsession with fire | A pyromaniac enjoys setting things on fire. |
🔥 Example: Many arsonists suffer from pyromania—an obsession with fire.
8. Omni – All, Everywhere
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Omnipotent | All-powerful | In many religions, God is considered omnipotent. |
| Omnipresent | Present everywhere | The internet has become omnipresent in our lives. |
| Omniscient | Knows everything | The teacher seemed omniscient, knowing all answers. |
⚡ Example: In mythology, deities are often depicted as omniscient beings.
9. Phile – Love for Something
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Bibliophile | Loves books | A bibliophile enjoys collecting rare books. |
| Ergophile | Loves to work | He works late every day because he’s an ergophile. |
| Pluviophile | Loves rain | She enjoys monsoons because she is a pluviophile. |
📖 Example: If you love books, you are a bibliophile!
10. Phobia – Fear of Something
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Acrophobia | Fear of heights | She couldn’t climb the mountain due to acrophobia. |
| Claustrophobia | Fear of closed spaces | The small elevator triggered his claustrophobia. |
| Arachnophobia | Fear of spiders | Many people scream when they see a spider due to arachnophobia. |
🐍 Fun Fact: The fear of snakes is called ophidiophobia!
Conclusion
Understanding root words makes learning vocabulary easier and more enjoyable. Next time you encounter a new word, break it down using these roots, and it will make sense!
💡 Tip for Exams: Many English language tests include word-based questions. Mastering these roots can help in IELTS, TOEFL, SSC, UPSC, and other exams.
Thank You
Team EDUTICAL
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