Dinosaurs and Interdisciplinary Activities
Dinosaur Root Word Meanings
Content Area: Language Arts
Standards: Word Analysis, grades 1-8
Directions: Make flash cards with dinosaur root words. Many of these roots are found in English words. Choose some of these root words and identify at least one corresponding English word. Try the same activity using Spanish words.
Example:
odon = tooth
ortho = straight
orthodontist = dentist who straightens teeth
Common Dinosaur Root Words and Meanings
| root | pronunciation | meaning |
| allo- | AL-uh | other |
| anato- | ah-NAT-uh | duck |
| ankylo- | an-KY-luh | curved |
| apato- | ah-PAT-uh | deceptive |
| baro- | BAR-uh | heavy |
| brachio- | BRAK-ee-uh | arm |
| cephalo- | SEF-uh-luh | head |
| cerato- | sair-AT-oh | horned |
| cetio- | SEE-tee-uh | whale |
| coelo- | SEE-luh | hollow |
| coryth- | ko-RITH | helmet |
| dino- | DIE-nuh | terrible |
| diplo- | DIP-luh | double |
| -gnathus | NAY-thus | jaw |
| hadro- | HAD-ruh | bulky |
| hetero- | HEH-ter-uh | different |
| mega- | MEG-uh | great |
| -odon | o-DON | tooth |
| -onychus | ON-i-kus | claw |
| -ops | ops | face |
| ornitho- | or-NITH-uh | bird |
| ovi- | OH-vih | egg |
| pachy- | PAK-ee | thick |
| platy- | PLAY-tee | flat |
| -pod | pod | foot |
| proto- | PRO-tuh | first |
| pter- | tair | wing |
| raptor | RAP-ter | thief |
| saur (us) | sawr | lizard |
| stego- | STEG-uh | roof/plate |
| struthio- | strooth-EE-uh | ostrich |
| thero- | THAIR-uh | beast |