Word part · Latin root
Nov root words: meaning and 16 examples
In short
The Latin root nov (from Latin) means "new". It is also spelled novate and novel. Words with it include innovate, innovative, innovation, innovator, renovate and renovation. To renovate is to make new again.
- Part
- nov
- Meaning
- new
- Origin
- Latin
- Also spelled
- novate, novel
- Words listed
- 16
To renovate is to make new again. November does not belong here: it comes from the Latin word for nine.
Words with the Latin root nov
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: novel, novels, novice
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| innovate | in (prefix)+novate (root or base)→innovate | bring in a new idea or way of doing things |
| renovate | re (prefix)+novate (root or base)→renovate | make an old building new again |
More words: novelty, nova
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| innovative | in (prefix)+novate (root or base)+ive (suffix)→innovativedrop the e | full of new ideas |
| innovation | in (prefix)+novate (root or base)+ion (suffix)→innovationdrop the e | a new idea or invention |
| innovator | in (prefix)+novate (root or base)+or (suffix)→innovatordrop the e | a person who comes up with new ideas |
| renovation | re (prefix)+novate (root or base)+ion (suffix)→renovationdrop the e | the work of making something new again |
| renovated | re (prefix)+novate (root or base)+ed (suffix)→renovateddrop the e | made new again |
| novelist | novel (root or base)+ist (suffix)→novelist | a person who writes novels |
| novelists | novel (root or base)+ist (suffix)+s (suffix)→novelists | more than one novelist |
More words: novelties, supernova
Where does nov 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:
- novelist, novelists
- In the middle:
- innovative, innovation, innovator, renovation
- At the end:
- innovate, renovate, renovated
How do you teach the root nov?
Begin with novel, both meanings. A novel idea is a new one, and a novel was named for being a new kind of story. Then show renovate: re (again) plus nov (new), make new again. Innovate follows naturally as bringing in something new. Students can then work out novice, a person new to something. This root is short and the meanings are friendly, so it works well with grade 4 and up.
A quick routine
Say, "Nov means new. In each word, find what is new." Show novel, novice, renovate, innovation and novelty. The student reads each, underlines nov, and says what is new: an idea, a player, an old house, an invention, a toy. Then ask, "Would you renovate a brand new house?" The student explains why that would be odd. Dictate renovation to close.
What do students mix up with nov?
November looks like a nov word, but it comes from novem, the Latin word for nine. It was the ninth month in the old Roman calendar. That story helps the meaning test stick: new does not fit November, so it is a look-alike. Nova and supernova do belong; ancient watchers thought they were new stars.
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 nov mean?
Nov means "new". It is a Latin root, also spelled novate and novel. To renovate is to make new again. November does not belong here: it comes from the Latin word for nine.
What are some words with the root nov?
Start with novel, novels and novice. Then move to innovate, renovate, innovative and innovation. This page lists 16 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Why is November not from nov meaning new?
November comes from the Latin novem, meaning nine. In the early Roman calendar it was the ninth month. The spelling looks like nov, but new does not fit its meaning.
Related word parts
- re-again, or back
- in-in, or into
- -ista person who does, plays or studies
- -tionthe act of, or the result of
- numernumber
- natborn
Terms on this page: morpheme, root, prefix, suffix, base word, word sum, morphology.
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