A root word is a basic word that can stand alone and often forms the basis of other words by adding prefixes or suffixes. It is the simplest form of a word from which all other variations of the word are derived. For example, "act" is a root word, and by adding prefixes like "re-" or suffixes like "-ion" or "-ing," we can create other words such as "react," "action," or "acting." Root words are the building blocks of vocabulary and can help in understanding the meaning of new words.
