Latin may sometimes be called a “dead language,” but its influence is everywhere. Thousands of English words have Latin origins, especially in academic and technical vocabulary and fields like science, law, and medicine. For students navigating increasingly complex texts in middle and high school, Latin roots are like hidden keys that unlock the meanings of unfamiliar words and gives students the tools to figure out what they don’t yet know.
Below, you’ll find 10 high-impact Latin roots your students are likely to encounter in both everyday reading and high-stakes academic settings, all taken from the Vocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots series. Each root includes one or more essential vocabulary words your students are likely to encounter in literature, nonfiction, and academic texts.
Ambl, Ambul
From the Latin word ambulare, ambulatum, meaning “to walk,” the root ambl or ambul shows up in words related to movement or journeys, both literal and metaphorical.
Vocabulary Word Examples:
- Amble – to casually walk; to stroll
- Ambulatory – able to walk
- Preamble – a passage or speech which introduces another longer passage or speech
Duc, Duct
From the Latin word ducere, ductum, meaning “to lead,” these roots appear in words related to guidance, influence, and direction.
Vocabulary Word Examples:
- Conducive – supportive; encouraging; helping to bring about
- Induce – to lead toward some action
- Deduce – to draw a conclusion from fact; to infer
Loq, Loc
From loqui, locutus, the Latin word for “to speak,” these roots form words connected to speech, dialogue, and verbal expression.
Vocabulary Word Examples:
- Loquacious – very talkative
- Colloquy – formal conversation or dialogue
- Obloquy – harsh criticism; abuse
Luc
From lux, lucis, Latin for “light,” the root luc appears in words dealing with clarity, understanding, and illumination.
Vocabulary Word Examples:
- Lucid – easy to understand; clear
- Elucidate – to make clear by explaining
- Translucent – allowing light to pass through
Opus
From the Latin words opus, operis, meaning “work,” and ops, opis, meaning “wealth, power, resource,” this root appears in words related to productivity, artistic creation, and success.
Vocabulary Word Examples:
- Magnum opus – the greatest work of an artist, writer, or composer
- Modus operandi – a specific manner of working
- Opulent – possessing or exhibiting great wealth; affluent
Common Prefixes and Suffixes Free Poster
With this free printable classroom poster, your students’ understanding of roots, prefixes, and suffixes will expand along with their growing vocabulary!
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Script, Scrib
From the Latin scribere, scriptum, meaning “to write,” these roots form words centered on writing, documentation, and expression through text.
Vocabulary Word Examples:
- Descriptive – giving details about; illustrating; explaining
- Subscribe – to believe in; to feel approval or agreement
- Manuscript – a handwritten document
Temp
From tempus, temporis, the Latin word for “time,” this root shows up in vocabulary about timing, duration, and the passage of events.
Vocabulary Word Examples:
- Extemporaneous – done without planning; improvised
- Temporal – having to do with finite time or everyday life
- Temporize – to put off making a decision; to stall
Val, Valid
From the Latin verb valere, valiturus, meaning “to be strong,” and the word validus “strong,” these roots appear in words that deal with value, judgment, and strength.
Vocabulary Word Examples:
- Invaluable – very helpful or useful
- Evaluate – to judge; to size up
- Invalid – not good enough; not correct
Vid, Vis
From videre, visum, Latin for “to see, to look,” the roots vid and vis are used in words related to perception, vision, and awareness.
Vocabulary Word Examples:
- Invidious – hateful or spiteful
- Providential – happening by good fortune
- Improvise – to create without any forethought or preparation
Voc
From vox, vocis, Latin for “voice,” and vocare, vocatum, “to call,” the root voc is found in words about sound, speech, and one’s role or calling in life.
Vocabulary Word Examples:
- Vociferous – loud and noisy in making one’s feelings known
- Univocal – having a single, clear meaning
- Vocation – a profession; a trade
The Importance of Latin Roots
Taking time in your curriculum to teach Latin roots is an investment in your students’ overall literacy development.
When students understand the meaning of Latin roots, they’re better equipped to decode unfamiliar words as they read. Instead of skipping over challenging vocabulary, they start breaking it down, looking for familiar roots, prefixes, or suffixes. From there, they can make educated guesses about meaning. This skill builds confidence and supports stronger comprehension across all subjects, from literature and history to science and standardized tests.
What’s more, root-based vocabulary instruction strengthens writing. As students become more aware of how words are built and used, they’re more likely to choose words more purposefully and express themselves with greater precision and clarity.
In short, learning Latin roots lays a foundation not just for vocabulary growth, but for lifelong literacy.
If you’re ready to bring this powerful approach into your classroom, take a look at our Vocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots series. Designed for grades 4–12, this comprehensive program helps students master root-based vocabulary through engaging exercises, contextual practice, and memorable word-learning strategies. Whether you’re building vocabulary from the ground up or reinforcing reading skills, it’s a resource you—and your students—can rely on.