Latin Roots I
📋 What it is
A root is the core meaning-part a word is built around. Latin roots power thousands of English words: port = carry, dict = say, spect = look, rupt = break.
🗣️ Coach says
Roots are the engine of a word. Once you know "port" means carry, you unlock portable, transport, export, import, porter — all at once. One root, a whole family of words.
🧠 Memory hook
Learn the root, unlock the family. port = carry · dict = say · spect = look.
😂 Giggle
What did the root "aqua" bring to the party?
Something to drink — it's all about water!
😲 Whoa!
The root "rupt" (break) hides in erupt, interrupt, rupture, and bankrupt — a volcano and a broken bank share a word-part.
✅ Quick check: The root "spect" means "look". What does a "spectator" do?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
A spectator LOOKS on — someone who watches an event.
A known root lets you infer a word you have never formally learned.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
List three words built on "port" (carry) and check each one really involves carrying.