root word

A root word is the core part of a word that carries its main meaning. It’s like the foundation of a building—without it, the word can't stand on its own or convey its basic idea. Many words are built by adding prefixes or suffixes to a root, which change or enhance the meaning. For example, "write" is a root word; "rewriter" or "writing" are formed by adding different parts to it. Recognizing root words helps you understand unfamiliar words by identifying their basic meaning.