Word part · Latin root
Equ root words: meaning and 21 examples
In short
The Latin root equ (from Latin) means "equal, or even". It is also spelled equi and equal. Words with it include equivalent, equivalents, equally, unequal, inequality and equation. Spelled equi as the first part of a longer word (equidistant, equivalent).
- Part
- equ
- Meaning
- equal, or even
- Origin
- Latin
- Also spelled
- equi, equal
- Words listed
- 21
Spelled equi as the first part of a longer word (equidistant, equivalent). The plain word equal belongs to the family, so the meaning is easy to test.
Words with the Latin root equ
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)
More words: equal, equals, equate
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| equivalent | equi (root or base)+val (root or base)+ent (suffix)→equivalent | worth the same amount |
| equally | equal (root or base)+ly (suffix)→equally | in the same amount for each |
| equation | equ (root or base)+ation (suffix)→equation | a math sentence that says two sides are equal |
| equations | equ (root or base)+ation (suffix)+s (suffix)→equations | more than one equation |
More words: adequate, inadequate, equinox, equity, equitable
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| equivalents | equi (root or base)+val (root or base)+ent (suffix)+s (suffix)→equivalents | things that are worth the same |
| unequal | un (prefix)+equal (root or base)→unequal | not the same in size or amount |
| inequality | in (prefix)+equal (root or base)+ity (suffix)→inequality | a state where things are not equal |
| equator | equ (root or base)+ator (suffix)→equator | the line around the middle of the earth that splits it into equal halves |
| equators | equ (root or base)+ator (suffix)+s (suffix)→equators | more than one equator |
| equidistant | equi (root or base)+distant (root or base)→equidistant | the same distance from two places |
| equilateral | equi (root or base)+lateral (root or base)→equilateral | having sides that are all the same length |
| equality | equal (root or base)+ity (suffix)→equality | being equal |
More words: equilibrium
Where does equ 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.
- At the start:
- equivalent, equivalents, equally, equation, equations, equator, equators, equidistant, equilateral
- In the middle:
- inequality
- At the end:
- unequal
How do you teach the root equ?
Start with the word equal, which students know from math. Equ means equal or even. The equator splits the earth into two equal halves. An equation says two sides are equal. Equi comes first in longer words: an equilateral triangle has equal sides, and a point that is equidistant is the same distance from two places.
A quick routine
Draw a balance scale with even sides. Say, "Equ means equal or even." Write equation, equator and equilateral. The student reads each and explains what is equal: the two sides, the two halves, the three sides. Then dictate unequal and inequality and ask, "What did the prefix do?" Answer: "It made it not equal."
What do students mix up with equ?
Equip and equipment look like this root but come from an old word about fitting out a ship. Require and frequent hide the same letters with no link to equal. Adequate does belong: it means equal to the job. Ask the student, "Is something equal or even here?" before adding a word.
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 equ mean?
Equ means "equal, or even". It is a Latin root, also spelled equi and equal. Spelled equi as the first part of a longer word (equidistant, equivalent). The plain word equal belongs to the family, so the meaning is easy to test.
What are some words with the root equ?
Start with equal, equals and equate. Then move to equivalent, equally, equivalents and unequal. This page lists 21 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Is equipment from the root equ?
No. Equipment comes from an old French word for fitting out a ship. It only shares the letters. Equal, equator and equation are the true members.
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