Latin Roots Word Search (Free Printable + Answer Key)

This Latin Roots word search introduces students to common Latin word parts found in English, including Aqua, Audio, and Scrib. It is a great vocabulary-building activity, with a free printable worksheet and answer key.

P	X	V	Z	J	A	U	D	I	O
S	D	I	W	U	I	Y	O	Y	V
U	C	T	U	A	O	E	L	D	I
K	J	R	E	J	Q	V	B	D	D
P	I	V	I	R	N	U	I	F	E
J	P	I	H	B	R	C	A	P	O
T	O	T	S	X	T	A	S	Z	H
C	R	A	F	O	L	U	N	A	C
H	T	F	G	V	L	H	K	T	X
M	X	U	I	O	V	N	M	S	D

Word List

AQUA: Latin for 'water.' Found in English words like aquarium, aquatic, and aqueduct.
AUDIO: Latin for 'hear' (audire = to hear). Found in audience, audible, audition.
VIDEO: Latin for 'see' (videre = to see). Found in video, evident, vision.
PORT: Latin for 'carry' (portare = to carry). Found in transport, portable, import.
DICT: Latin for 'say' (dicere = to say). Found in dictate, predict, contradict.
SCRIB: Latin for 'write' (scribere = to write). Found in scribble, describe, manuscript.
TERRA: Latin for 'earth' or 'land.' Found in territory, terrain, terrestrial.
VITA: Latin for 'life' (vivere = to live). Found in vital, vitality, vitamin.
LUNA: Latin for 'moon.' Found in lunar, lunatic (originally meaning 'moonstruck').
SOL: Latin for 'sun.' Found in solar, solarium, solstice.

About Latin Roots

Although Latin is no longer spoken as a native language, it lives on inside English. A huge share of academic and scientific English vocabulary comes from Latin roots, especially in fields like medicine, law, and biology. Learning a few Latin roots makes long English words decodable: 'aquatic' (water), 'spectator' (one who watches), 'audible' (able to be heard).

Latin Roots Vocabulary

This puzzle features high-yield Latin roots: AQUA (water), AUDIO (hear), VIDEO (see), PORT (carry), DICT (say), SCRIB (write), TERRA (earth), VITA (life), LUNA (moon), and SOL (sun).

How to Use This Word Search in Class

After the word search, give each student two roots and have them brainstorm three English words that use each one (e.g. AUDIO: audience, audible, audition). Discuss what each root contributes to the meaning. This builds vocabulary stamina for any standardized test.

Printable Latin Roots Word Search Worksheet

Click the print button to print this latin roots word search. The printable version includes the puzzle grid and word list, perfect for classroom handouts or homework.

P	X	V	Z	J	A	U	D	I	O
S	D	I	W	U	I	Y	O	Y	V
U	C	T	U	A	O	E	L	D	I
K	J	R	E	J	Q	V	B	D	D
P	I	V	I	R	N	U	I	F	E
J	P	I	H	B	R	C	A	P	O
T	O	T	S	X	T	A	S	Z	H
C	R	A	F	O	L	U	N	A	C
H	T	F	G	V	L	H	K	T	X
M	X	U	I	O	V	N	M	S	D

P	X	V	Z	J	A	U	D	I	O
S	D	I	W	U	I	Y	O	Y	V
U	C	T	U	A	O	E	L	D	I
K	J	R	E	J	Q	V	B	D	D
P	I	V	I	R	N	U	I	F	E
J	P	I	H	B	R	C	A	P	O
T	O	T	S	X	T	A	S	Z	H
C	R	A	F	O	L	U	N	A	C
H	T	F	G	V	L	H	K	T	X
M	X	U	I	O	V	N	M	S	D