Next up in this series on classical root words in English: root words beginning with the letter “T” and “U”! You can refer to previous lists below if you’d like a refresher. We’re almost finished! The next installment will be the last one (“V”, “X,” and “Z”).
These are all base words; classical affixes will come in a later series.
- “A” Base Words
- “B” Base Words
- “C” Base Words
- “D” Base Words
- “E” Base Words
- “F” Base Words
- “G” Base Words
- “H” Base Words
- “I,” “J,” and “K” Base Words
- “L” Base Words
- “M” Base Words
- “N” Base Words
- “O” Base Words
- “P” Base Words
- “Q” and “R” Base Words
- “S” Base Words
| Base | Meaning | Example |
| tang, ting, tig, tact | touch | tangent, contingent, contiguous, intact |
| taph | grave, tomb | epitaph |
| taur | bull | Minotaur |
| techn | art, skill, fine craft | technique |
| tempor | time | temporary |
| ten, tin, tent, tain | hold | tenacious, continent, contents, retain |
| tend, tens, tenu | stretch, thin | extend, tensile, tenuous |
| ter(r) | land, ground, earth | inter (verb), territory |
| test | witness | testify |
| tetra | four | tetrahedron |
| thanas, thanat | death | euthanasia |
| theater, theatr | theater, watch | theatrical |
| the(o) | god | atheist, theology |
| therm | heat | thermal |
| thes, thet | put, place | thesis, synthetic |
| tom | cut | anatomy |
| ton | tone | monotonous |
| trac(t), treat | pull, draw, drag | trace, tractor, retreat |
| trop | turn | tropics |
| trud, trus | push, thrust | intrude, protrusion |
| turb | shake, agitate | turbulence |
| urs | bear (animal) | ursine |