Word part · Latin root
Voc root words: meaning and 17 examples
In short
The Latin root voc (from Latin) means "voice, or call". It is also spelled vok, voke and vocat. Words with it include vocal, vocalist, vocalists, vocation, vocational and provoke. Spelled voke at the end of action words (provoke, invoke) and voc or vocat before a suffix: vocal, provocative.
- Part
- voc
- Meaning
- voice, or call
- Origin
- Latin
- Also spelled
- vok, voke, vocat
- Words listed
- 17
Spelled voke at the end of action words (provoke, invoke) and voc or vocat before a suffix: vocal, provocative.
Words with the Latin root voc
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 |
|---|---|---|
| vocal | voc (root or base)+al (suffix)→vocal | having to do with the voice |
| provoke | pro (prefix)+voke (root or base)→provoke | call out a reaction from someone |
| provoked | pro (prefix)+voke (root or base)+ed (suffix)→provokeddrop the e | called out a reaction |
| invoke | in (prefix)+voke (root or base)→invoke | call on a rule or a name for help |
More words: invoked
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| vocation | voc (root or base)+ation (suffix)→vocation | work you feel called to do |
| revoke | re (prefix)+voke (root or base)→revoke | call back or cancel |
| evoke | e (prefix)+voke (root or base)→evokethe prefix changes to match | call up a memory or a feeling |
More words: advocate, vocals, provoking
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| vocalist | voc (root or base)+al (suffix)+ist (suffix)→vocalist | a singer |
| vocalists | voc (root or base)+al (suffix)+ist (suffix)+s (suffix)→vocalists | more than one singer |
| vocational | voc (root or base)+ation (suffix)+al (suffix)→vocational | having to do with training for a job |
| provocative | pro (prefix)+vocat (root or base)+ive (suffix)→provocative | likely to call out a strong reaction |
More words: vocabulary, irrevocable
Where does voc 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:
- vocal, vocalist, vocalists, vocation, vocational
- In the middle:
- provocative
- At the end:
- provoke, provoked, invoke, revoke, evoke
How do you teach the root voc?
Have the student speak in a whisper, then in a full voice. That's vocal, using your voice. A vocalist sings, and vocabulary is the store of words you call on when you speak. Teach the voke spelling next. Provoke means call out a reaction; revoke means call something back. The prefix tells the direction of the call.
A quick routine
Say, "Voc means voice or call." Write vocal, provoke and revoke. For each, the student reads it and finishes, "It's about calling..." (out, back). Then dictate vocalist and vocation. Ask, "What is a vocation?" Accept "a job you feel called to do." One more: "Why is vocabulary a voc word?"
What do students mix up with voc?
Voice and vowel come from the same Latin family but are spelled without the c, so they don't fit a spelling list for this root. Students like that fact. Havoc only looks related. Watch provocative: the root shows up as vocat, so read it as pro + vocat + ive.
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 voc mean?
Voc means "voice, or call". It is a Latin root, also spelled vok, voke and vocat. Spelled voke at the end of action words (provoke, invoke) and voc or vocat before a suffix: vocal, provocative.
What are some words with the root voc?
Start with vocal, provoke, provoked and invoke. Then move to vocation, revoke, vocalist and vocalists. This page lists 17 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Is vowel from the root voc?
Yes, far back. A vowel was the voiced sound in a word. Its spelling changed on the way into English, so it no longer shows voc.
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