Key Concepts
It's useful to study Latin, even though it is no longer spoken, because so many Latin word roots are used in English. Learning to recognize common Latin word roots can help you understand and spell English words.
- Listed below are several Latin word roots and their meanings.
- aqua = water
- aud = hear
- belli = war
- cline = lean
- dic = speak
- duc/duct = lead
- loc = place
- mar = sea
- rupt = break
- ver = truth
- vers/vert = turn
- A suffix or suffixes may be added to a Latin word root to form a new word, as in audible, belligerent, diction, locale, mariner, and verifiable. A prefix may be added to the word root to form a new word, as in corrupt.
- Sometimes both a prefix and a suffix may be added, as in conversation and inclination.
- Word roots may be combined to create words, as in aqueduct.
