rootword
nounUK /ˈruːt wɜːd/
US /ˈruːt wɝːd/
A root word is the main part of a word that carries its basic meaning.
The word 'helpful' comes from the root word 'help'.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In linguistics, the original form of a word from which other words in a language family are derived.
The Latin root word 'portare' gave rise to words like 'transport' and 'portable'.
3. A word that forms the base to which prefixes and suffixes can be added.
Teachers asked students to find the root word in 'unhappiness'.
4. The essential or foundational element of something, used figuratively.
Trust is the root word of any good friendship.