Root Words Worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to fill in the table. We’ll look at each root word, think about what it means, then see how adding a prefix or suffix changes it.

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First Table: Prefixes (un-, pre-, re-, dis-, im-)

1. happy → unhappy
- “Happy” means feeling good or glad.
- Adding “un-” means “not.” So “unhappy” = not happy.

2. heat → preheat
- “Heat” means to make something warm.
- “Pre-” means “before.” So “preheat” = heat before using (like an oven).

3. write → rewrite
- “Write” means to put words on paper or screen.
- “Re-” means “again.” So “rewrite” = write again.

4. like → dislike
- “Like” means to enjoy or want something.
- “Dis-” means “not” or “opposite.” So “dislike” = do not like.

5. polite → impolite
- “Polite” means being kind and respectful.
- “Im-” (a form of “in-”) means “not.” So “impolite” = not polite.

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Second Table: Suffixes (-al, -able, -eer, -ily, -ion)

1. addition → additional
- “Addition” means adding something extra.
- “-al” turns it into an adjective meaning “related to addition.” So “additional” = extra or more than needed.

2. comfort → comfortable
- “Comfort” means feeling relaxed or safe.
- “-able” means “can be.” So “comfortable” = can be comforted; feels cozy.

3. mountain → mountaineer
- “Mountain” is a big hill or peak.
- “-eer” means “a person who does something.” So “mountaineer” = a person who climbs mountains.

4. cheer → cheerily
- “Cheer” means happiness or encouragement.
- “-ily” turns it into an adverb — describes *how* you do something. So “cheerily” = in a cheerful way.

5. impress → impression
- “Impress” means to make someone admire or notice you.
- “-ion” makes it a noun — the result of impressing. So “impression” = the effect you leave on someone.

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Final Answer:

First Table:

| root | meaning | new word | new meaning |
|---------|------------------------|------------|--------------------------|
| happy | feeling glad | unhappy | not happy |
| heat | to make warm | preheat | heat before use |
| write | to put words down | rewrite | write again |
| like | to enjoy | dislike | do not like |
| polite | being respectful | impolite | not polite |

Second Table:

| root | meaning | new word | new meaning |
|-----------|---------------------------|--------------|----------------------------------|
| addition | adding something extra | additional | extra or more |
| comfort | feeling relaxed | comfortable | able to feel cozy |
| mountain | a large natural hill | mountaineer | a person who climbs mountains |
| cheer | happiness or joy | cheerily | in a happy way |
| impress | to amaze or influence | impression | the effect left on someone |