Word part · Latin root
Volv root words: meaning and 17 examples
In short
The Latin root volv (from Latin) means "roll, or turn". It is also spelled volve, volu and volut. Words with it include revolve, revolving, revolution, revolutions, evolve and evolved. Spelled volve in action words and volut before -ion: revolve, revolution; evolve, evolution.
- Part
- volv
- Meaning
- roll, or turn
- Origin
- Latin
- Also spelled
- volve, volu, volut
- Words listed
- 17
Spelled volve in action words and volut before -ion: revolve, revolution; evolve, evolution. Volume first meant a rolled-up scroll.
Words with the Latin root volv
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 |
|---|---|---|
| evolve | e (prefix)+volve (root or base)→evolvethe prefix changes to match | change slowly over time, as if unrolling |
| evolved | e (prefix)+volve (root or base)+ed (suffix)→evolvedthe prefix changes to match, then drop the e | changed slowly over time |
| involve | in (prefix)+volve (root or base)→involve | roll someone or something into a plan |
| involved | in (prefix)+volve (root or base)+ed (suffix)→involveddrop the e | taking part in something |
| involves | in (prefix)+volve (root or base)+s (suffix)→involves | includes as a part (one thing, now) |
More words: volume, volumes
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| revolve | re (prefix)+volve (root or base)→revolve | turn around a center |
| revolving | re (prefix)+volve (root or base)+ing (suffix)→revolvingdrop the e | turning around and around |
| involvement | in (prefix)+volve (root or base)+ment (suffix)→involvement | taking part in something |
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| revolution | re (prefix)+volut (root or base)+ion (suffix)→revolution | one full turn, or a big change |
| revolutions | re (prefix)+volut (root or base)+ion (suffix)+s (suffix)→revolutions | more than one full turn |
| evolution | e (prefix)+volut (root or base)+ion (suffix)→evolutionthe prefix changes to match | slow change over a long time |
More words: revolutionary, evolutionary, voluminous, convoluted
Where does volv 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:
- revolution, revolutions, evolution, involvement
- At the end:
- revolve, revolving, evolve, evolved, involve, involved, involves
How do you teach the root volv?
Roll a pencil across the desk. Say, "Volv means roll or turn." A wheel revolves, and one full turn is a revolution. Evolve means to change slowly over time, like a scroll unrolling. Involve means to roll someone into a plan. Teach the action word and the -ion word as a pair, because the spelling switches from volve to volut.
A quick routine
Write revolve and revolution side by side, then evolve and evolution. Say, "Read each pair. What letters change?" The student should spot volve turning into volut. Then ask, "When the earth revolves around the sun, what is it doing?" Answer: "Turning around it." Finish by building in + volve + ment.
What do students mix up with volv?
Volt and voltage come from a scientist's name, not this root. Volunteer and voluntary look close but come from a different root that means wish. Volume does belong: books were once rolled-up scrolls. If a student asks about volcano, that word comes from the name of a Roman god of fire.
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 volv mean?
Volv means "roll, or turn". It is a Latin root, also spelled volve, volu and volut. Spelled volve in action words and volut before -ion: revolve, revolution; evolve, evolution. Volume first meant a rolled-up scroll.
What are some words with the root volv?
Start with evolve, evolved, involve and involved. Then move to revolve, revolving, revolution and revolutions. This page lists 17 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Why does volume come from a word that means roll?
Long ago, a book was a long sheet rolled around a stick. Each roll was a volume. Today the word also means how much space something fills, or how loud it is.
Related word parts
- vertturn
- re-again, or back
- ex-out
- in-in, or into
- -mentthe act or result of
- -tionthe act of, or the result of
Terms on this page: morpheme, root, prefix, suffix, base word, word sum, morphology.
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