EnhanceMyVocabulary.com:
English Vocabulary Derived from Greek
This section of EnhanceMyVocabulary.com is all about learning vocabulary derived from Greek
Many English language come from ancient Greek. In this section of Enhance My Vocabulary, you'll find many examples of Greek words and the English words derived from them. This is not an exhaustive list but will give you a good feel for the Greek roots of English.
The derivatives on this list barely scratch the surface. Challenge yourself to think of more English words that may have come from these Greek roots (including words that combine two or more Greek roots), and then check a dictionary to confirm the derivation.
| Greek Word | Definition | English Derivatives |
| A, an | no, not |
aseptic, anarchy |
| Amphi (Latin ambi) |
about, around, both |
ambidextrous, amphitheater |
| antiqua |
antique, old |
antique, antiquity, ancient |
| Ana |
up, again |
anatomy, Anabaptist |
| Aner, andros, anthropos |
man, stamen |
androgynous, philander, philanthropy |
| Anti |
against, opposite |
antidote, antiphonal, antagonist |
| Archos |
chief, primitive |
archaic, architect |
| Autos |
self |
autograph, automatic, authentic |
| Barvs |
heavy |
baritone, barites |
| Biblos |
book |
Bible, bibliomania |
| Bios |
life |
biology, autobiography, amphibious |
| Cata |
down |
catalepsy, cataclysm |
| Cheir |
hand |
chiropody, chirurgical, surgeon |
| Chilioi |
a thousand |
kilogram, kilowatt |
| Chroma |
color |
chromo, achromatic |
| Chronos |
time |
chronic, anachronism |
| Cosmos |
world, order |
cosmopolitan, microcosm |
| Crypto |
hide |
cryptogam, cryptology |
| Dia |
through, across |
diameter, dialogue |
| Cyclos |
wheel, circle |
encyclopedia, cyclone |
| Deca |
ten |
decasyllable, decalogue |
| Demos |
people |
democracy, epidemic, demographics |
| Derma |
skin |
epidermis, taxidermist |
| Didonai, dosis |
give |
dose, apodosis, anecdote |
| Dis, di |
twice, doubly |
dichromatic, digraph |
| Dynamis |
power |
dynamite, dynasty |
| Eidos |
form, thing seen |
idol, kaleidoscope, anthropoid |
| Epi |
upon |
epidemic, epithet, epode, ephemeral |
| Ethnos |
race, nation |
ethnic, ethnology |
| Eu |
well |
euphemism, eulogy |
| Gamos |
marriage |
cryptogam, bigamy |
| Ge |
earth |
geography, geometry |
| Genos |
family, race |
gentle, engender |
| Gramma |
writing |
monogram, grammar |
| Grapho |
write |
telegraph, lithograph |
| Haima |
blood |
hematite, hemorrhage, anemia |
| Heteros |
other |
heterodox, heterogeneous |
| Homos |
same |
homonym, homeopathy |
| Hydor |
water |
hydraulics, hydrophobia, hydrant |
| Hyper |
over, extremely |
hypercritical, hyperbola |
| Hypo |
under, smaller |
hypodermic, hypophosphate |
| Isos |
equal |
isosceles, isotherm |
| Logos |
word, study, management, measure |
theology, dialogue |
| Meta |
after, over |
metaphysics, metaphor |
| Metron |
measure, mind |
barometer, diameter |
| Monos |
one, alone |
monoplane, monotone |
| Morphe |
form |
metamorphosis, amorphous |
| Neos |
new, young |
neolithic, neophyte |
| Neuron |
nerve |
neuralgia, neurotic |
| Nomos |
law, science |
astronomy, gastronomy, economy |
| Onoma |
name |
anonymous, patronymic |
| Opsis |
view, sight |
synopsis, thanatopsis, optician |
| Orthos |
rightr |
orthopedic, orthodox |
| Osteon |
bone |
osteopathy, periosteum |
| Pais, paidos |
child |
paideutics, pedagogue, encyclopedia |
| Para |
beside |
paraphrase, paraphernalia |
| Pas, pan |
all |
diapason, panacea, pantheism |
| Pathos |
suffering |
allopathy, pathology |
| Peri |
around, about |
periscope, peristyle |
| Petros |
rock |
petroleum, saltpeter |
| Phaino |
show, be visible |
diaphanous, phenomenon, epiphany, fantastic |
| Philos |
loving |
bibliophile, Philadelphia |
| Phobos |
fear |
hydrophobia, Anglophobe |
| Phone |
sound |
telephone, symphony |
| Phos |
light |
phosphorous, photograph |
| Physis |
nature |
physiognomy, physiology |
| Plasma |
form |
cataplasm, protoplasm |
| Pneuma |
air, breath |
pneumatic, pneumonia |
| Polis |
city |
policy, metropolitan |
| Polys |
many |
polyandry, polychrome, polysyllable |
| Pous, pados |
foot |
octopus, chiropodist |
| Pro |
before |
proboscis, prophet |
| Protos |
first |
protoplasm, prototype |
| Pseudes |
false |
pseudonym, pseudo-classic |
| Psyche |
breath, soul |
psychology, psychopathy |
| Pyr |
fire |
pyrography, pyrotechnics |
| Scopos |
watcher |
scope, microscope |
| Sophia |
wisdom |
philosophy, sophomore |
| Syn |
together, with |
synthesis, synopsis, sympathy |
| Techne |
art |
technicality, architect |
| Tele |
far, far off |
telepathy, telescope |
| Temno, Tomos |
that which is cut off |
epitome, anatomy, tome |
| Theos |
god |
theosophy, pantheism |
| Therme |
heat |
isotherm, thermodynamics |
| Tithenai, Thesis |
a place, placing, arrangement |
epithet, hypothesis, anathema |
| Treis |
three |
trichord, trigonometry |
| Zoon |
animal |
zoology, protozoa, zodiac |
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