Latin might be a ‘dead’ language, but its vocabulary pulses through modern English like a linguistic heartbeat. Around 60% of English words have Latin roots, particularly in science, law, medicine, and academia. Understanding these roots doesn’t just expand your vocabulary - it sharpens your ability to decode unfamiliar words, improves spelling, and even aids in learning other Romance languages.
Why Latin vocabulary matters for English speakers
Latin’s influence on English isn’t just historical trivia. It’s practical. Recognising Latin roots helps you infer meanings without reaching for a dictionary. For example:
- Seeing ‘aqua’ in ‘aquatic’ immediately signals a connection to water.
- The root ‘scrib/script’ (meaning ‘to write’) appears in ‘describe’, ‘manuscript’, and ‘subscription’.
- ‘Port’ (from ‘portare’, to carry) links ‘transport’, ‘export’, and ‘portfolio’.
Latin in academic and professional English
Latin dominates specialised vocabularies. In medicine, terms like ‘cardiac’ (from ‘cor’, heart) or ‘renal’ (from ‘renes’, kidneys) are standard. Legal jargon leans heavily on Latin - think ‘habeas corpus’ or ‘pro bono’. Even everyday tech terms like ‘via’ (by way of) or ‘per’ (through) are Latin holdovers.
Habeas corpus
/ˈheɪbiəs ˈkɔːrpəs/For more Latin legal terms still in use, check out our guide on Latin Legal Terms Still Used in Modern Law.
Latin prefixes and suffixes: the building blocks of English
Many common affixes in English come straight from Latin. Recognising them can help you break down complex words:
| Affix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bene- | Good | Benefit, benevolent |
| Mal- | Bad | Malicious, malfunction |
| -able/-ible | Capable of | Visible, portable |
Latin’s role in precise communication
Latin-derived words often carry precise, nuanced meanings. Compare ‘ask’ (Old English) with ‘interrogate’ (Latin ‘interrogare’). The latter implies formality and thoroughness. This precision makes Latin vocabulary invaluable in academic writing, journalism, and professions where clarity is key.
Interrogare
/ɪnˈtɛr.ɔ.ɡa.re/“To question”
Practical ways to learn Latin vocabulary
- Study word roots. Focus on high-frequency Latin roots like ‘spect’ (look), ‘dict’ (say), or ‘rupt’ (break).
- Read etymologies in dictionaries. Many entries explain a word’s Latin origin.
- Learn Latin phrases still in use, like ‘ad hoc’ or ‘status quo’. Our article on Top 12 Latin Words That Shaped the English Language is a great starting point.
- Practice breaking down unfamiliar words into probable Latin components.
Latin’s legacy in everyday English
From ‘video’ (I see) to ‘via’ (by way of), Latin phrases pepper casual conversation. Even abbreviations like ‘e.g.’ (‘exempli gratia’) and ‘i.e.’ (‘id est’) are Latin. Recognising these makes you a more confident communicator - and saves you from mixing them up.
For a lighter take on Latin, try our collection of Fun Latin Tongue Twisters to test your skills.
