Lesson 27: Grand Canyon: A Trail Through Time

Greek and Latin Word Parts

visitors vista

The first syllable is the same in both

words.

The first syllable is “vis” and it is a Latin root meaning “to

see.”

Many English words have Greek or Latin roots. Knowing the meanings of these roots can help you figure out the pronunciation and meaning of many

words.

Greek and Latin Word Parts

Look at this word:

invisible

This word has the prefix in-

The word has the Latin root “vis”

This word has the suffix -ible

When you put these parts together you can read the word.

Greek and Latin Word Parts

Root Meaning Words

graph to write autograph, graphics

phon sound phonograph, telephone

photo light photograph, telephoto

port to carry portable

spect to look inspect, spectator

struct to build destruct, construct

Greek and Latin Word Parts

Try this on your own or with a partner. Look through your social studies or science book and find

five other examples of words with these Greek or Latin roots, and

add them to the chart.