Word part · Greek root
Gram root words: meaning and 17 examples
In short
The Greek root gram (from Greek) means "something written or drawn". Words with it include telegram, telegrams, monogram, monograms, program and programs. Usually comes last and names a written thing: telegram, diagram.
- Part
- gram
- Meaning
- something written or drawn
- Origin
- Greek
- Words listed
- 17
Usually comes last and names a written thing: telegram, diagram. The m doubles before a vowel suffix, as in programmer.
Words with the Greek root gram
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
Start here: short, common words (about grades 3 and 4)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| program | pro (prefix)+gram (root or base)→program | a written plan of what will happen, or a set of steps for a computer |
| programs | pro (prefix)+gram (root or base)+s (suffix)→programs | more than one program |
More words: grammar
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| telegram | tele (root or base)+gram (root or base)→telegram | a message sent far by wire and printed out |
| telegrams | tele (root or base)+gram (root or base)+s (suffix)→telegrams | more than one telegram |
| monogram | mono (root or base)+gram (root or base)→monogram | the letters of a name drawn together as one design |
| monograms | mono (root or base)+gram (root or base)+s (suffix)→monograms | more than one monogram |
| programmer | pro (prefix)+gram (root or base)+er (suffix)→programmerdouble the last letter | a person who writes steps for a computer to follow |
| programming | pro (prefix)+gram (root or base)+ing (suffix)→programmingdouble the last letter | writing steps for a computer to follow, now |
More words: diagram, diagrams, anagram, hologram, programmers
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| reprogram | re (prefix)+pro (prefix)+gram (root or base)→reprogram | give a computer new steps to follow |
More words: grammatical, diagrammed
Where does gram sit in a word?
A root can come first, last or in the middle. Students who only look at the start of a word miss half of these.
- In the middle:
- programmer
- At the end:
- telegram, telegrams, monogram, monograms, program, programs, programming, reprogram
How do you teach the root gram?
Gram means something written or drawn, and the words in this family are things you can hold or look at. A telegram is a written message. A diagram is a drawing with labels. A program is a written list of what will happen at a concert, or of what a computer should do. Start with diagram, since students make them in science. Then show grammar, the rules of written language, and let the student hear that gram is its first part.
A quick routine
Say, "Gram means something written or drawn. For each word, tell me what was written." Read telegram (a message), monogram (initials), program (a plan or steps) and diagram (a labeled drawing). Then build programmer and programming on the board and ask, "Why two m's?" The student explains that the short vowel in gram needs a double letter before er and ing. Dictate one word of each kind.
What do students mix up with gram?
Gram also names a small unit of weight, and kilogram and milligram belong to that sense. It reached English by a different path, so set those words aside rather than forcing a written thing into them. Graph is a close cousin, since both mean writing. Graph usually names the act or the tool (photograph, autograph), and gram names the thing that was written.
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 gram mean?
Gram means "something written or drawn". It is a Greek root. Usually comes last and names a written thing: telegram, diagram. The m doubles before a vowel suffix, as in programmer.
What are some words with the root gram?
Start with program, programs and grammar. Then move to telegram, telegrams, reprogram and grammatical. This page lists 17 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Is anagram from the root gram?
Yes. An anagram is made by writing the letters of a word in a new order, such as listen and silent. Ana means again or back, so the letters are written again.
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