Words with the root log/logy
log/logy means “word, study, reason”, from Greeklogos.
15 examples of the root “log/logy”
- biologybio-study of life
- geologygeo-study of the earth
- ecologyeco-study of habitats
- zoologyzoo-study of animals
- logic-icreason and sound argument
- logical-icalaccording to reason
- apologyapo-word said in defense
- dialoguedia-words between two people
- prologuepro-words spoken before the story
- epilogueepi-words spoken after the story
- psychologypsycho-study of the mind
- theologytheo-study of God or gods
- anthologyantho-collection of words or writings
- eulogyeu-good words spoken of someone
- epidemiologyepidemio-study of disease spread patterns
How log/logy works
The root 'log/logy' typically forms nouns, turning a subject area into its named field of study (e.g., 'bio' + 'logy' = biology) or a type of speech or reason (e.g., dialogue, logic). Spelling varies between '-logy' in field-of-study words and '-logue' or '-logic' in words relating to speech and reasoning.
Watch out: The word 'logo' (a brand symbol) shares the same Greek root and is not a false friend, but 'ология' borrowings aside, 'lodge' and 'log' (a piece of wood or a record) are unrelated to this root despite their similar spelling.
To see roots combine with other parts, try the word dissector and root builder, or test yourself in the vocabulary quiz.
Other Greek and Latin roots
- port · carry
- duct · lead
- scrib/script · write
- dict · say
- aud · hear
- vid/vis · see
- rupt · break
- mit/miss · send
- vert/vers · turn
- ped · foot
- man/manu · hand
- spec/spect · look
- cap/cept · take
- pos/pon · place
- fac/fact · make
- voc/vok · voice
- terr · earth
- aqua · water
- luc/lum · light
- nov · new
- temp · time
- mort · death
- gram/graph · write
- phon · sound
- bio · life
- chron · time
- geo · earth
- path · feeling
- hydr · water
- scope · look at
- therm · heat
- psych · mind
- auto · self
- tele · far
- micro · small
Questions people ask
What does the root “log/logy” mean?
log/logy means “word, study, reason”. It comes from Greek (logos). The root 'log/logy' typically forms nouns, turning a subject area into its named field of study (e.g., 'bio' + 'logy' = biology) or a type of speech or reason (e.g., dialogue, logic). Spelling varies between '-logy' in field-of-study words and '-logue' or '-logic' in words relating to speech and reasoning.
What are some examples of words with the root “log/logy”?
biology, geology, ecology, zoology, logic, logical, apology, dialogue. The full list of 15 examples, with what each one literally means, is above.
Which words look like they have the root “log/logy” but don’t?
The word 'logo' (a brand symbol) shares the same Greek root and is not a false friend, but 'ология' borrowings aside, 'lodge' and 'log' (a piece of wood or a record) are unrelated to this root despite their similar spelling.
What is a root word?
A root is the core of a word that carries its main meaning. Many English roots come from Latin or Greek and cannot stand alone, like port (“carry”) in transport and portable.