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Words with the root therm

therm means “heat”, from Greektherme.

15 examples of the root “therm”

  1. thermal-alrelating to heat
  2. thermos-oscontainer keeping heat in
  3. thermometer-meterinstrument measuring heat
  4. thermostat-statdevice regulating heat level
  5. geothermalgeo-heat from within the earth
  6. hypothermiahypo- -iadangerously low body heat
  7. hyperthermiahyper- -iadangerously high body heat
  8. thermodynamics-dynamicsscience of heat and energy
  9. thermosphere-spherehot outer layer of atmosphere
  10. thermonuclear-nuclearnuclear reaction requiring intense heat
  11. exothermicexo- -icreleasing heat outward
  12. endothermicendo- -icabsorbing heat inward
  13. thermochemistry-chemistrystudy of heat in chemical reactions
  14. poikilothermpoikilo-organism with variable body heat
  15. thermophile-phileorganism thriving in high heat

How therm works

The root 'therm' typically functions as a noun base or combining form, creating nouns (thermometer, hypothermia), adjectives (thermal, exothermic), and compound nouns (thermostat, thermodynamics). It remains stable in spelling without the consonant assimilation seen in Latin-derived prefixes.

Watch out: The word 'theme' may superficially resemble 'therm' but derives from Greek 'thema' (something set down), having nothing to do with heat.

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

Questions people ask

What does the root “therm” mean?

therm means “heat”. It comes from Greek (therme). The root 'therm' typically functions as a noun base or combining form, creating nouns (thermometer, hypothermia), adjectives (thermal, exothermic), and compound nouns (thermostat, thermodynamics). It remains stable in spelling without the consonant assimilation seen in Latin-derived prefixes.

What are some examples of words with the root “therm”?

thermal, thermos, thermometer, thermostat, geothermal, hypothermia, hyperthermia, thermodynamics. The full list of 15 examples, with what each one literally means, is above.

Which words look like they have the root “therm” but don’t?

The word 'theme' may superficially resemble 'therm' but derives from Greek 'thema' (something set down), having nothing to do with heat.

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.