What is root word?

A root word is the basic form of a word, the core meaning that remains even when prefixes and suffixes are added. It's the fundamental building block of many words in a language.

Here's a breakdown:

* Core Meaning: A root word carries the essential meaning of a word.

* Building Block: Root words are used to form new words by adding prefixes (at the beginning) and suffixes (at the end).

Example:

Let's take the word "unbelievable".

* Root word: believe (meaning to accept something as true)

* Prefix: un- (meaning not)

* Suffix: -able (meaning capable of being)

So, "unbelievable" means "not capable of being believed."

Here are some other examples of root words:

* act (action)

* graph (writing)

* port (carry)

* spect (look)

* struct (build)

Understanding root words can help you:

* Expand your vocabulary: You can figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words by breaking them down into their root word, prefix, and suffix.

* Improve your reading comprehension: Identifying root words makes it easier to understand complex words and phrases.

* Learn new words more effectively: By focusing on root words, you can learn the core meaning of a word and its related words.

It's important to note that root words can sometimes change their meaning slightly depending on the context and the prefixes and suffixes used. However, the core meaning usually remains the same.