Word part · Greek root
Chron root words: meaning and 15 examples
In short
The Greek root chron (from Greek) means "time". Words with it include chronic, chronically, chronology, chronologies, chronological and chronologically. Ch spells /k/ here, a sign of a Greek part.
- Part
- chron
- Meaning
- time
- Origin
- Greek
- Words listed
- 15
Ch spells /k/ here, a sign of a Greek part. Before another consonant it takes the connecting o: chron + o + logy.
Words with the Greek root chron
The list runs from shorter, common words to longer ones. The bands are a rough guide built from syllable count and how common each word is in our word list, not a grade-level standard. Read each word, then its word sum.
Colors:prefixroot or basesuffix
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| chronic | chron (root or base)+ic (suffix)→chronic | lasting a long time, or coming back again and again |
More words: chronicle, chronicles, synchronize, synchronous
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| chronically | chron (root or base)+ic (suffix)+al (suffix)+ly (suffix)→chronically | in a way that lasts or keeps coming back |
| chronology | chron (root or base)+o (connector)+logy (root or base)→chronologyadd a connecting vowel | the order in which events happened |
| chronologies | chron (root or base)+o (connector)+logy (root or base)+es (suffix)→chronologiesadd a connecting vowel, then change y to i | more than one chronology |
| chronological | chron (root or base)+o (connector)+log (root or base)+ic (suffix)+al (suffix)→chronologicaladd a connecting vowel | arranged in time order, first to last |
| chronologically | chron (root or base)+o (connector)+log (root or base)+ic (suffix)+al (suffix)+ly (suffix)→chronologicallyadd a connecting vowel | in time order, from first to last |
| chronometer | chron (root or base)+o (connector)+meter (root or base)→chronometeradd a connecting vowel | a clock that keeps very exact time |
| chronometers | chron (root or base)+o (connector)+meter (root or base)+s (suffix)→chronometersadd a connecting vowel | more than one chronometer |
More words: synchronized, asynchronous, anachronism
How do you teach the root chron?
Chron is a good root for showing that a long word can be read in parts and then checked by meaning. Start with chronological, because students hear it in history and science: "Put these events in chronological order." Break it into chron, o, log, ic and al, and point out that only chron is new. Then add chronic and chronicle. Each word has time in it. A chronic cough lasts a long time, and a chronicle records events as time passes.
A quick routine
Put a short timeline on the board with three events out of order. Say, "Chron means time. Chronological means in time order. Fix my timeline." After the student fixes it, write chronology and chronometer and ask, "Where is the time in this word?" Have them underline chron and box the connecting o. Finish by dictating chronic, which the student spells with ch, not k.
What do students mix up with chron?
Students often spell the root with a k or a plain c: kronic, cronology. Tell them the /k/ sound in Greek words is often spelled ch, the same as in school, chorus and character. The other trap is meaning. Chronic means lasting a long time, not very bad, so a chronic problem is one that keeps coming back.
Some of these words change spelling where the parts join. The spelling rules pages cover dropping e, doubling and changing y to i. For the sounds inside these words, see the phonics word lists. Routines that fit: meanings of prefixes and suffixes, circle the parts, read the base and flexible routine for big words.
Questions people ask
What does the root chron mean?
Chron means "time". It is a Greek root. Ch spells /k/ here, a sign of a Greek part. Before another consonant it takes the connecting o: chron + o + logy.
What are some words with the root chron?
Start with chronic, chronicle, chronicles and synchronize. Then move to chronically and chronology. This page lists 15 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Why is there an o in chronology?
Chron ends in a consonant and logy starts with one, so Greek puts a connecting o between them. You see the same o in thermometer and speedometer. It is a joining letter, not a part with its own meaning.
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