Knowing root words can help you on the ASVAB. Root words are word parts that serve as the base of a word. In English, one root word can be changed slightly to perform all sorts of roles — it can act as a noun, a verb, an adjective, or an adverb with just a little modification.
If you recognize a root, you can generally get an idea of what the word means, even if you’re not familiar with it. For example, if you know what the root word attach means, you can figure out what the word attachment means. If you know adherent, you can deduce what adherence means.
Here are some common roots. Memorize them. When you sit down to take the ASVAB, you’ll be glad you did.| Root | Meaning | Sample Word |
| anthro or anthrop | relating to humans | anthropology |
| bibl | relating to books | bibliography |
| brev | short | abbreviate |
| cede or ceed | go, yield | recede |
| chrom | color | monochrome |
| cogn | know | cognizant |
| corp | body | corporate |
| dict | speak | diction |
| domin | rule | dominate |
| flu or fluc | flow | influx |
| form | shape | formulate |
| fract or frag | break | fragment |
| graph | writing | biography |
| junct | join | juncture |
| liber | free | liberate |
| lum or lumen | light | illuminate |
| oper | work | cooperate |
| path or pathy | suffer, feeling | pathology |
| port | carry | portable |
| press | squeeze | repress |
| scrib or script | write | describe |
| sens or sent | feel | sentient |
| tract | pull | traction |
| voc or vok | call | revoke |
When you see an unfamiliar word, try dropping a couple of letters from the beginning and/or the end of the word to see whether you recognize what’s left — the root. If so, you can make a good guess about the meaning of the word.
