Word part · Latin root
Nat root words: meaning and 16 examples
In short
The Latin root nat (from Latin) means "born". It is also spelled nate and nature. Words with it include native, natives, nation, nations, nationally and nationality. Your native language is the one you were born into, and a nation was first a group of people born in one place.
- Part
- nat
- Meaning
- born
- Origin
- Latin
- Also spelled
- nate, nature
- Words listed
- 16
Your native language is the one you were born into, and a nation was first a group of people born in one place.
Words with the Latin root nat
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 |
|---|---|---|
| native | nat (root or base)+ive (suffix)→native | belonging to the place where you were born |
| natives | nat (root or base)+ive (suffix)+s (suffix)→natives | people born in a certain place |
| nation | nat (root or base)+ion (suffix)→nation | a country and the people born into it |
| nations | nat (root or base)+ion (suffix)+s (suffix)→nations | more than one nation |
More words: nature
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| naturally | nature (root or base)+al (suffix)+ly (suffix)→naturallydrop the e | in the way things are by nature |
| prenatal | pre (prefix)+nat (root or base)+al (suffix)→prenatal | before a baby is born |
| innate | in (prefix)+nate (root or base)→innate | there from birth, not learned |
| national | nation (root or base)+al (suffix)→national | having to do with a nation |
| natural | nature (root or base)+al (suffix)→naturaldrop the e | having to do with nature; not made by people |
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| nationally | nat (root or base)+ion (suffix)+al (suffix)+ly (suffix)→nationally | across the whole nation |
| nationality | nat (root or base)+ion (suffix)+al (suffix)+ity (suffix)→nationality | the nation a person belongs to |
| unnatural | un (prefix)+nature (root or base)+al (suffix)→unnaturaldrop the e | not the way things usually are |
| naturalist | nature (root or base)+al (suffix)+ist (suffix)→naturalistdrop the e | a person who studies plants and animals |
| supernatural | super (prefix)+nature (root or base)+al (suffix)→supernaturaldrop the e | beyond the laws of nature |
| international | inter (prefix)+nation (root or base)+al (suffix)→international | between or among nations |
Where does nat 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:
- native, natives, nation, nations, nationally, nationality, naturally, naturalist
- In the middle:
- unnatural, prenatal, supernatural
- At the end:
- innate
How do you teach the root nat?
Native is the clearest starting word: a native plant grew here from the start, and your native language is the one you were born into. Then add nation and nature, and explain that both first meant something you are born with or into. A student who hears that can explain national, international and natural on their own. Prenatal is a good stretch word for older students in health units.
A quick routine
Say, "Nat means born. Each word is about being born into something." Show native, nation, nature, innate and prenatal. The student reads each, finds nat, and says what someone is born into or with: a place, a country, a way of being, a talent. Finish with this question: "Is a skill you practiced innate?" The student answers and explains why not.
What do students mix up with nat?
Many words end in nation or nate without this root, such as donation, combination and imagination. The ending there is just the suffix ation after another base. Ask the student to cover ation and see what is left. If the leftover is not about being born, it is a different word.
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 nat mean?
Nat means "born". It is a Latin root, also spelled nate and nature. Your native language is the one you were born into, and a nation was first a group of people born in one place.
What are some words with the root nat?
Start with native, natives, nation and nations. Then move to naturally, prenatal, nationally and nationality. This page lists 16 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Is every word ending in nation from the root nat?
No. In donation, combination and imagination the letters n, a, t come from the base and the suffix ation. Only words where born fits the meaning, like nation and native, use this root.
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