ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Word parts›Roots›phil
RootGreek
phil
love
Greek philos meant loving or dear: philosophers love wisdom, bibliophiles love books, and philanthropy expresses love for humanity.
Words built from it
- philosophy — the study of fundamental questions about existence and knowledge
phil (love) + sophy (wisdom) - philosopher — one who studies deep questions of existence and knowledge
phil (love) + sopher (wise one) - bibliophile — a person who loves and collects books
biblio (book) + phil (lover) + -e - philanthropy — generous giving to help others
phil (love) + anthrop (mankind) + -y - philanthropist — a person who gives generously to good causes
phil (love) + anthrop (mankind) + -ist - audiophile — a person devoted to high-quality sound reproduction
audio (sound) + phil (lover) + -e - cinephile — a devoted lover of film
cine (movie) + phil (lover) + -e
Looks like it, but is not
- philistine — from the biblical Philistines (Hebrew Pelishtim), a Semitic people's name — unrelated to Greek philos 'love'
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Related word parts
- -phobia/-phile — forms names for intense fears or aversions, or for people and feelings marked by strong fondness