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Vocabulary Lists

Morphology & Roots

CollectionThe Wide World of Word OriginsWhere in the World Did These Words Come From?
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  • 18 WordsEnglish Food and Drink Words Derived from Arabic
  • 22 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Arabic
  • 15 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Hindi
  • 15 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Yiddish
  • 15 WordsMore English Words Derived from Yiddish
  • 15 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Gaelic
  • 10 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Old Norse
  • 15 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Indigenous Languages of the Americas
  • 15 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Quechua
  • 15 WordsEnglish Words Derived from Nahuatl
CollectionPower SuffixesFlex Your Vocab Muscles with These Essential Word Endings
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  • 25 Words-able
  • 18 Words-acy
  • 14 Words-arian
  • 12 Words-escence
  • 18 Words-ette
  • 15 Words-ful
  • 13 Words-fy
  • 40 Words-ism
  • 15 Words-less
  • 20 Words-ology
  • 10 Words-scope
CollectionPower PrefixesBoost Your Word Knowledge with These Essential Affixes
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  • 10 Wordsanti-
  • 10 Wordscon-
  • 15 Wordsdis-
  • 10 Wordsex-
  • 10 Wordsfore-
  • 10 Wordsinter-
  • 10 Wordsmis-
  • 10 Wordspre-
  • 10 Wordspro-
  • 25 Wordsre-
  • 10 Wordssub-
  • 10 Wordssuper-
  • 10 Wordstrans-
  • 20 Wordsun-
  • 10 Wordsuni-
  1. English Vocabulary Derived from French
    Bonjour, vocabulary connoisseurs! Did you know that almost 30% of words in the English language come from French? Brush...
  2. It's the End of the Word as We Know It: Common Suffixes
    Delve into this collection of common English suffixes and get to the end!
  3. Foreign Words and Phrases Used in English
    You've got carte blanche to learn these foreign words and phrases that commonly appear in English speech and writing....
  4. Essential Word RootsA Garden of Resources for Budding Etymologists
    Grow your vocabulary by mastering the most common Greek and Latin word roots used in English. Our essential collection...
  5. Common SensesSense-ational Word Roots
    Now hear this! Come to your senses and master words related to seeing, hearing, and touching. You’ll get a taste for...
  6. We the PeopleWord Roots for Citizens of the World
    This truly civilized collection will help you master word roots related to humanity and society, from civ (“citizen”) to...
  7. Elements of the UniverseExplore the Cosmos with These Word Roots
    Want to fire up your vocabulary? The sky’s the limit with our lists of elemental word roots. Master a universe of words...
  8. Body LanguageWord Roots to Help You Dissect Anatomical Terms
    Do you have the guts to learn the etymological roots of words related to the human body? Then explore our Body Language...

Morphology & Roots Vocabulary Lists:

English Words Derived from Indigenous Languages of the Americas

Here are 15 common English words whose roots come from indigenous languages of the Americas. The fate of the people who spoke these languages varies greatly, from tribes lost to history (that we only know about through records of other tribes) to the Guarani, whose language at last count had over 4 million speakers in Paraguay. All of these peoples, whatever their current status, have contributed their ideas and their perspectives through the English words below. Many of these terms have to do with animals and foods to be found in nature, but the Algonquian roots of "tuxedo" may come as a surprise! Read on below for tales of many more English words from indigenous sources.
15 Words

Perfect Ten: Dec, Cent, Mille

These words derive from the Latin roots dec ("ten"), cent ("hundred"), and mille ("thousand"). Start a practice session and see if you can score 100 percent!
14 Words

In the Know: Cogn, Conn

Knowledge is power, so learn these words that derive from the Latin roots cogn and conn, meaning "know, learn."
12 Words

Power Suffix: -scope

Have a close look at this list of words that include the suffix -scope, meaning "an instrument for observing." The Latinized scopium derives from the Greek skopein, "to look, to examine."
10 Words

English Words Derived from Arabic

All of the English words on this lists have Arabic origins. While some, like caliph and imam, clearly come from Arabic sources, you might be surprised to discover that algebra, chemistry, and zero are also derived from Arabic. Learn these words that contribute to the richness and variety of the English language.
22 Words

Power Suffix: -escence

Learn this list of words that include the suffix -escence, meaning the "process or state of being."
12 Words

Power Suffix: -acy

Derived from Latin, the English suffix -acy in English means "the state of" or "the quality or condition of."
18 Words

More English Words Derived from Yiddish

English has borrowed many words from Yiddish, which is itself an amalgam of German, Russian, Hebrew and many other languages. Here are 15 more English words that derive from Yiddish — some of which are very common, and some of which might be less familiar to you. Looking for more Yiddish-derived words? Check out our original list of English Words Derived from Yiddish.
15 Words

Body Parts: Neur ("Nerve")

You've got a lot of nerve — so learn this list of words that derive the Latin word neuron, meaning "nerve." Want to dissect more English words related to anatomy? Here are links to our complete set of Body Language lists: Corp ("Body") / Capit, Capt ("Head") / Or, Os ("Mouth") / Dent, Dont ("Tooth") / Gastr, Gastro ("Stomach") / Neur ("Nerve") / Man ("Hand") / Ped, Pod ("Foot") / Derm ("Skin") / Carn ("Flesh") / Os, Osteo ("Bone") / Cor, Cord, Cardio ("Heart") / Psych ("Mind")
12 Words

Power Suffix: -ology

Derived from the Greek suffix -logia, the suffix -ology in English means "the science of or the study of."
20 Words

Frankenwords: Words with Roots from Different Languages

Words derived from more than one language are called "hybrid words." Many hybrid words in English have a combination of Latin and Greek roots, but you'll also find other interesting combinations in the list below.
25 Words

Speak Your Mind: Anim

Learn these words derived from the Latin root anim, which has many meanings, including "breath," "mind," "spirit," and "courage."
16 Words

Walk the Walk: Amb

Learn these words derived from the Latin verb ambulare, meaning "to walk or go about."
10 Words

Twists and Turns: Tor

Turn your attention to these words derived from the Latin root tor, meaning "to twist and turn" and "to distort."
18 Words

Good Grief!: Grav, Griev

Weigh in on this list of words derived from the Latin gravare, meaning "to make heavy" or "to cause grief."
12 Words

Words to Live By: Bio

Are you ready to learn the facts of life? Then review these words from the Greek root bio, meaning "life" or "way of living."
21 Words

Make a Run for It: Cur, Curs

Need a crash course in words that derive from the Latin roots cur and curs, meaning "run"? This list will give you a run for your money!
22 Words

Case Closed: Clud, Clus

Open your mind and practice this list of words derived from the Latin roots clud and clus, meaning "shut, enclose, or confine."
29 Words

Play by the Rules: Arch

Learn these words derived from the Greek word arkhos, meaning "ruler, chief, principal, or leader."
20 Words

Break It Down: Cata

Learn these words derived from the Greek root kata-, which has a range of meanings including "down," "through," "against" "across," "along with," and "wrongly."
15 Words

Believe It or Not: Cred

You can believe in this list of words derived from the Latin root cred, meaning "to believe."
18 Words

Send a Message: Mit and Miss

Your mission? To learn these words derived from the Latin roots mit- and miss-, meaning "to send."
30 Words

Power Prefix: dis-

Meaning "not" or "opposite of," this common prefix is used in words like disagree ("to be of different or conflicting opinions") and disgust ("a strong feeling of dislike"). Learn these words that contain the prefix dis-. Want to increase your prefix power? Learn our complete set of Power Prefix lists: anti-, con-, dis-, ex-, fore-, inter-, mis-, pre-, pro-, sub-, super-, trans-, uni-
15 Words

Power Suffix: -ful

The suffix -ful means "characterized by" or "full of." For example, a joyful song is characterized by joy or happiness. Learn these words that include the suffix -ful.
15 Words

Power Suffix: -less

The suffix -less, meaning "without," is added to nouns and verbs to form adjectives. For example, a hopeless situation is a situation without hope. Learn these words that use the suffix less.
15 Words

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