root
gb/ɹˈut/ us/ɹˈut/
A2
English
~ 2100
gyökér, alapvető ok, szótő, meggyökerezik, gyökeret ereszt, gyökerezik, kotorászik, turkál
NOUN
A2
1
gyökér
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] has deep roots
The tree's roots spread wide beneath the soil.
A fa gyökerei messzire szétterjednek a föld alatt.
Carrots are edible roots.
A sárgarépa ehető gyökér.
Strong roots help the plant survive strong winds.
The gardener trimmed the roots before replanting.
Some plants develop thick roots to store food.
Learner examples
The tree has long roots.
A fának hosszú gyökerei vannak.
Carrots grow as roots.
A sárgarépa gyökérként fejlődik.
Roots take water from the soil.
We cut the roots before planting again.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'root' with 'route' due to similar pronunciation in some accents.
Meaning
Underground part of a plant
Collocations
deep roots
|shallow roots
|root system
|pull up roots
Synonyms
rhizome (More technical botanical term; not interchangeable in all contexts)
Antonyms
shoot (The part of a plant that grows above ground, opposite to the root)
Themes
nature
|biology
|gardening
Definition
The part of a plant under the ground that takes in water and food.
The part of a plant, usually underground, that anchors it and absorbs water and nutrients from the soil.
NOUN
B1
2
alapvető ok
B2
gyökér
B2
Usage pattern:
the root of [something]
We must address the root cause of poverty.
A szegénység alapvető okát kell kezelnünk.
Jealousy was at the root of their argument.
A vitájuk gyökere a féltékenység volt.
The root of the problem is poor communication.
Scientists are studying the root causes of climate change.
Learner examples
The root of the problem is money.
A probléma gyökere a pénz.
We found the root cause of the fire.
Megtaláltuk a tűz kiváltó okát.
Bad planning is the root of many problems.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'root' in this sense with 'reason', though 'root' suggests a deeper, more fundamental cause.
Meaning
Origin or cause of something
Collocations
root cause
|root problem
|get to the root
Synonyms
origin (General term for where something begins; may be less analytical)
Antonyms
result (An outcome that follows from a cause, rather than the cause itself)
Themes
ideas
|problem-solving
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The main reason or beginning of something.
The fundamental source or reason for something, especially a problem or situation.
NOUN
B2
3
'Act' is the root of 'action'.
Az „act” az „action” szótöve.
Many English words have Latin roots.
Sok angol szónak latin gyökerei vannak.
Understanding word roots can help you guess meanings.
Learner examples
'Happy' is the root of 'unhappy'.
A „happy” az „unhappy” szótöve.
Many words come from Latin roots.
Sok szó latin gyökerekből ered.
Learn the root to know the meaning.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'root' with 'route' when spoken, or with 'base' without understanding the linguistic nuance.
Meaning
Base form of a word
Collocations
word root
|Latin root
|Greek root
Synonyms
stem (In linguistics, can mean a slightly broader category than 'root')
Themes
language
|linguistics
|education
|communication
Definition
The main part of a word that gives its basic meaning.
The most basic form of a word, from which other words are formed by adding prefixes or suffixes.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to root [something] in [something]
The plant rooted quickly in the new soil.
A növény gyorsan gyökeret eresztett az új talajban.
These traditions are rooted in ancient history.
Ezek a hagyományok a régmúltban gyökereznek.
She rooted her beliefs in personal experience.
Learner examples
The tree rooted in the garden.
A fa gyökeret eresztett a kertben.
This custom is rooted in history.
Ez a szokás a történelemben gyökerezik.
He rooted his ideas in facts.
Meaning
To establish firmly in place or habit
Collocations
root deeply
|root firmly
|root tradition
Synonyms
embed (Implies fixing deeply but not necessarily with growth)
Antonyms
uproot (To remove completely from where it is fixed)
Themes
growth
|development
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something strong and lasting in place or in someone's mind.
To cause to grow or develop deeply and firmly, either physically in the ground or figuratively in habits or beliefs.
VERB
B1
INFORMAL
5
kotorászik
B2
turkál
B2
Usage pattern:
to root through [something] for [something]
She rooted through her purse for her keys.
A táskájában kotorászott a kulcsai után.
He rooted around in the fridge for a snack.
A hűtőben kotorászott valami harapnivaló után.
I rooted through old boxes in the attic.
Learner examples
I rooted through my bag for my phone.
A táskámban kotorásztam a telefonom után.
He rooted around in the desk for a pen.
Az íróasztal fiókjában kotorászott egy toll után.
She rooted through her clothes for a shirt.
Meaning
Search by moving things around
Collocations
root through a drawer
|root around in a bag
Synonyms
rummage (Very similar meaning; slightly more formal)
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
Definition
To look for something by moving things around and making a mess.
To look for something by turning things over or pushing things aside, often in a messy way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
root
IPA
GB/ɹˈut/
US/ɹˈut/
Syllables & stress
root (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (root)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: root
- Plural: roots
Verb
- Base: root
- 3rd Person Singular: roots
- Present Participle: rooting
- Past: rooted
Word family
Forms
roots
noun
rooting
verb
rooted
verb
Negative and opposite forms
rootless
adjective
uproot
verb
Advanced or less common
rootlessness
noun
Expressions
at the root of
1/ˈæt ðə ɹˈut əv/
fixed phrase
Main cause or origin of something
Being the main reason why something happens.
Examples
- Lack of trust is at the root of their problems.
- At the root of this issue is poor planning.
put down roots
1/pˈʊt dˈaʊn ɹˈuts/
idiom
Settle and become established somewhere
To start living in one place and plan to stay there for a long time.
Examples
- After moving many times, they finally put down roots in a small town.
- She put down roots near her family.
root for
1/ɹˈut fɚ/
phrasal verb
informal
Support someone or something to succeed
To show that you want someone or something to win or succeed.
Examples
- I'm rooting for you to get the job!
- We rooted for our team during the game.
take root
1/tˈeɪk ɹˈut/
idiom
Begin to grow or become established
To start to grow or to become fixed and accepted.
Examples
- New ideas take root quickly in this community.
- We hope our project will take root and expand.