Vocabulary-Word Families That Will Enhance Your Word Skills

(English-Vocabulary Words from Latin and Greek Units Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes that Every Advanced-English Speaker and Reader Should Know)


Keys to understanding thousands of English words by learning a relatively small number of Latin and Greek Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes!

The selections for this list of English-derived words from Latin and Greek sources are based on the realization that words can be acquired faster, understood more accurately, and remembered longer through the elements that compose them.

The most valuable vocabulary presentations that can be developed must be designed with English words that have been adopted from Latin and Greek origins because this is where the majority of advanced-learning words come from.

Some people ask, "Why should we learn Latin and Greek elements if we are striving to learn Englilsh words?" They also think that Latin is "a dead language" and so is classical Greek!

Obviously there are very few who realize that the largest number of English words used in science, medicine, economics, and other fields of knowledge are derived from Latin and Greek word sources.

Modern science and economic branches are constantly turning to Greek and Latin roots for the creation of new terms to meet new communication needs because:

  • The meanings of these roots remain stable.
  • Terms from Greek or Latin roots are known internationally.
  • Knowing Latin and Greek roots will ensure maximum vocabulary profits in proportion to the time invested.
  • Knowing Greek and Latin prefixes, roots, and suffixes guarantee greater understanding of the vocabulary of biology, chemistry, medicine, English, geology, mathematics, physics, economics (global trade), and a multitude of other fields of knowledge and information.
  • All of these advanced vocabulary skills can be achieved even if you do not take formal courses in Latin or Greek.

Greek and Latin Elements Categorized in Groups

All of the Greek and Latin prefixes, roots, and suffixes presented in this site are arranged in alphabetical order at this vast Complete Index.