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phil

(FIL)

love, fondness for

Greek philos meant loving or dear. Philosophy is the love of wisdom; a philanthropist loves humankind.

Spellings:philphilophile

Example words

  • philosophy

    the love of wisdom; the study of knowledge and existence

  • philanthropy

    the love of humankind, shown through generous giving

  • philharmonic

    loving harmony, especially music; a symphony orchestra

  • bibliophile

    a lover of books

Common Core alignment

Grades served: 6, 7, 8

  • L.6.4bUse common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., audience, auditory, audible).
  • L.7.4bUse common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., belligerent, bellicose, rebel).
  • L.8.4bUse common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., precede, recede, secede).

Related roots

Mind & thought. Roots about thinking, knowing, remembering, and the mind.

Browse all mind & thought roots →
L.6.4bL.7.4bL.8.4b
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