roots
ruːts
roots: part of a plant that grows downward into the soil
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Definition Synonyms

Definition of roots - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun, plural

1.
botanypart of a plant that grows downward into the soil
  • The roots of the tree spread deep and wide..
2.
ancestryfamily history or background
  • She explored her roots to learn about her ancestors.
ancestry heritage lineage
3.
beginningsstarting point or origin of something
  • The roots of the tradition date back centuries.
source
4.
cultural belongingsense of belonging to a place or group
  • He felt his roots were deeply connected to the community.
ancestry heritage
5.
beautyRareUSgrown-out hair at the scalpRareUS
  • She needs to dye her roots again.
regrowth
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Images of roots

  • roots: part of a plant that grows downward into the soil
    part of a plant that grows downward into the soil
  • roots: grown-out hair at the scalp
    grown-out hair at the scalp

Expressions with roots

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
connected to one's origin or background
She feels deeply connected to her roots in Italy.
start living in a place for a long time
After college, she put down roots in Chicago.
learn about one's family history or origins
She traveled to Italy to discover her roots and meet distant relatives.
originates from or is caused by something earlier
This tradition has its roots in ancient history.
leave a place where you have lived for a long time
After twenty years, they decided to pull up roots and relocate.
recall and honor your origins or heritage
Even after promotion, remember your roots and thank the people who helped you.

Origin of roots

Old English, rōt (root)

Terms with roots included in their meaning

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music
genre of music with African American roots
wild boar
large, tusked forest mammal that roots for food
dance
lively Brazilian dance with African roots
plant removal
remove a plant from the ground including its roots
people identity
ancestral land linked to a group's culture, history or roots
geology
layer of earth with grass roots
beverages
carbonated drink made from roots and herbs
plant
grow roots into soil

Examples of roots in a sentence

  • She studied the roots under a microscope.
  • He traced his roots back to Ireland.
  • Understanding her roots helped her connect with her culture.
  • The roots of jazz can be traced to African music.
  • Understanding the roots of a problem helps in finding solutions.
  • She discovered her roots during the family reunion.

View all translations of roots

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:racines, origines, ...
  2. German:Wurzeln, Herkunft, ...
  3. Italian:radici, origini, ...
  4. Spanish:raíces, orígenes, ...
  5. Portuguese:raízes, origens, ...
  6. Chinese:根, 根源, ...
  7. Japanese:根, 家系, ...
  8. Arabic:جِذْر, جُذُور, ...
  9. Hebrew:שׁוֹרָשִׁים, ...
  10. Russian:корни, происхождение, ...
  11. Ukrainian:коріння, корені, ...
  12. Hindi:जड़ें, वंश, ...
root
rut
root: part of a plant that absorbs nutrients
Images

Definition of root - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
botanypart of a plant that absorbs nutrients
  • The root of the tree spread wide underground.
radicle rootstock taproot
2.
starting pointorigin or source of something
  • The root of the problem was a lack of communication.
beginning origin source
3.
mathematicsTECH.number that when multiplied by itself equals anotherTECH.
  • The square root of 9 is 3.
radical square root
4.
linguisticsTECH.base form of a word without affixesTECH.
  • The root of 'running' is 'run'.
base stem

Verb

1.
supportintr.UScheer for a team or athleteintr.US
  • Fans rooted for their team enthusiastically..
cheer encourage support
2.
settling inintr.become established firmlyintr.
  • The tradition soon rooted in the village.
3.
hold tighttr.establish something firmlytr.
  • Years of honesty rooted trust in the team.
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Images of root

  • root: part of a plant that absorbs nutrients
    part of a plant that absorbs nutrients

Expressions with root

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
show strong sympathy or alignment with a side
She always roots for the underdog in any situation.
remove completely by pulling out from the ground
Farmers had to root up old trees to plant new crops.
grow roots into soil
The saplings will take root in a few weeks.
search for something in a casual way
She rooted about in her bag for the keys.
primary cause of all negative things
Some say money is the root of all evil.
points to the origin of a problem or situation
Poverty is often at the root of social issues.

Origin of root

Old Norse, rot (root)

Examples of root in a sentence

  • Nutrients travel from the root to the leaves.
  • The root of her anxiety was unknown.
  • They traced the root of the tradition.
  • The equation has two real roots.
  • Find the positive root of 49.
  • In 'unhappiness', the root is 'happy'.

View all translations of root

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:racine, encourager, ...
  2. German:Wurzel, anfeuern, ...
  3. Italian:radice, tifare, ...
  4. Spanish:raíz, apoyar, ...
  5. Portuguese:raiz, torcer, ...
  6. Chinese:根, 支持, ...
  7. Japanese:根, 応援する, ...
  8. Arabic:جَذْر, شَجَّعَ, ...
  9. Hebrew:שֹׁרֶשׁ, לְעוֹדֵד, ...
  10. Russian:корень, болеть, ...
  11. Ukrainian:корінь, підтримувати, ...
  12. Hindi:जड़, समर्थन करना, ...
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