Word part · Greek root
Nym root words: meaning and 13 examples
In short
The Greek root nym (from Greek) means "name, or word". It is also spelled onym. Words with it include synonym, synonyms, synonymous, synonymously, antonym and antonyms. Written onym in most words, and the o often blends with the part before it: syn + onym gives synonym.
- Part
- nym
- Meaning
- name, or word
- Origin
- Greek
- Also spelled
- onym
- Words listed
- 13
Written onym in most words, and the o often blends with the part before it: syn + onym gives synonym. Every word in the family names a kind of word or name.
Words with the Greek root nym
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 |
|---|---|---|
| synonym | syn (prefix)+onym (root or base)→synonym | a word with nearly the same meaning as another one, like big and large |
| synonyms | syn (prefix)+onym (root or base)+s (suffix)→synonyms | more than one synonym |
| antonym | ant (prefix)+onym (root or base)→antonymthe prefix changes to match | a word with the opposite meaning, like hot and cold |
| antonyms | ant (prefix)+onym (root or base)+s (suffix)→antonymsthe prefix changes to match | more than one antonym |
| pseudonym | pseudo (root or base)+nym (root or base)→pseudonym | a made-up name a writer uses instead of a real one |
| pseudonyms | pseudo (root or base)+nym (root or base)+s (suffix)→pseudonyms | more than one pseudonym |
More words: acronym, acronyms, homonym, homonyms
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| synonymous | syn (prefix)+onym (root or base)+ous (suffix)→synonymous | having the same meaning |
| synonymously | syn (prefix)+onym (root or base)+ous (suffix)+ly (suffix)→synonymously | in a way that means the same thing |
| antonymous | ant (prefix)+onym (root or base)+ous (suffix)→antonymousthe prefix changes to match | having the opposite meaning |
Where does nym 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:
- synonymous, synonymously, antonymous
- At the end:
- synonym, synonyms, antonym, antonyms, pseudonym, pseudonyms
How do you teach the root nym?
Synonym and antonym are the two words students need from this root, and they need them in every grade. Write both as sums: syn + onym, ant + onym. Syn means same or together and ant means against, so a synonym is a same name and an antonym is an opposite one. Then add homonym and acronym. Each word names a kind of word, which is the meaning to say out loud: nym means name.
A quick routine
Say, "Nym means name, or word. The front part tells you what kind of word." Write happy on the board. The student gives a synonym (glad) and an antonym (sad) and says which part told them what to do. Then write NASA and ask what kind of word it is. The answer is acronym, a word made from first letters. Dictate synonym and antonym, and have the student spell the parts.
What do students mix up with nym?
The o in onym joins with the part before it, so students lose track of where one part ends. Synonym is syn and onym, not sy and nonym. Students also mix up the two big words. A trick that works: antonym and against both start with a, and synonym and same both start with s. Nymph has the same letters but is a different word, a spirit from old stories.
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 nym mean?
Nym means "name, or word". It is a Greek root, also spelled onym. Written onym in most words, and the o often blends with the part before it: syn + onym gives synonym. Every word in the family names a kind of word or name.
What are some words with the root nym?
Start with synonym, synonyms, antonym and antonyms. Then move to synonymous and synonymously. This page lists 13 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
What does pseudonym mean?
A pseudonym is a false name, often one a writer uses instead of a real name. Pseudo means false and onym means name. Students may know a few authors who wrote under a pseudonym.
Related word parts
- syn-together, or with
- anti-against
- phonsound
- gramsomething written or drawn
- -ousfull of, or having
- -lyin a certain way
Terms on this page: morpheme, root, prefix, suffix, base word, word sum, morphology.
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