Root word - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

A root word has no prefix or suffix — it's the most basic part of a word. The root word at the heart of "conformity," for example, is "form.". rootword Arootwordhasnoprefixorsuffix—it'sthemostbasicpartofaword.Therootwordattheheartof"conformity,"forexample,is"form." Inlinguistics,arootwordholdsthemostbasicmeaningofanyword.It'swhat'sleftafteryouremovealltheaffixes—theprefixeslike"un-"or"anti-"andsuffixessuchas"-able"and"-tion."Withawordlike"lovely,"whenyoutakeawaythesuffix"-ly,"you'releftwiththerootword"love."Otherwords,like"schoolhouse"and"armchair,"aremadeupoftworootwordstogether. Definitionsofrootword noun (linguistics)theformofawordafterallaffixesareremoved synonyms: base,radical,root,stem,theme seemoreseeless typeof: descriptor,form,signifier,wordform thephonologicalororthographicsoundorappearanceofawordthatcanbeusedtodescribeoridentifysomething WordFamily EDITOR’SCHOICE Testprepfromtheexperts BoostyourtestscorewithprogramsdevelopedbyVocabulary.com’sexperts. Provenmethods:Learnfaster,rememberlongerwithourscientificapproach. Personalizedplan:Wecustomizeyourexperiencetomaximizeyourlearning. Strategicstudying:Focusonthewordsthataremostcrucialforsuccess. SAT/PSAT $29.95 Numberofwords:500+ Duration:8weeksorless Time:1hour / week Learnmore TOEFL $29.95 Numberofwords:500+ Duration:10weeksorless Time:1hour / week Learnmore ACT $29.95 Numberofwords:700+ Duration:10weeks Time:1hour / week Learnmore Signupnow(it’sfree!) Whetheryou’reateacheroralearner,Vocabulary.comcanputyouoryourclassonthepathtosystematicvocabularyimprovement. Getstarted ForEveryone PlaytheChallenge VocabularyLists Dictionary CommonlyConfusedWords JoinaVocabularyJam TestPrep ForEducators Classroom&SiteLicense Pricing ContactSales SuccessStories TeachingResources ProfessionalDevelopment Research Help HelpArticles/FAQ How-toVideos Webinars ContactSupport PrivacyPolicy TermsofUse Leaderboards VocabularyBowl BowlLeaders Today'sLeaders WeeklyLeaders MonthlyLeaders Connect Vocabulary.comBlog News&Events Telluswhatyouthink OurStory OurMission Team/Jobs Partnerships MyAccount Login Signup MyAccount LogOut MyProfile Schools&Teachers MyClasses MySATRoadmap MyTOEFLRoadmap MyACTRoadmap Assignments&Activities MyLists FindaListtoLearn... CreateaNewList... MyProgress WordsI'mLearning MyTroubleWords WordsI'veMastered MyAchievements UserAdministration UserAuthentication MyAccount Copyright©2022Vocabulary.com,Inc.,adivisionofIXLLearning•AllRightsReserved.