Field Notebook · Case Files Open

Word
Detective

You don't need to know every word. You need to learn how to investigate them.

Word Detective turns unfamiliar English words into cases to solve. Break each word into its prefix, root, and suffix. See where those pieces came from. Watch the meaning assemble itself.

How It Works

01
See the word

A new word appears. You make a first guess about what it probably means — no pressure.

02
Break it open

Reveal the prefix, root, and suffix one piece at a time. Each piece carries a clue.

03
Read the case file

Get the meaning, the reasoning, the history, and the whole word family — filed for later.

Worked Example
Case File · Subterranean
subPREFIX · under
terrROOT · earth
aneanSUFFIX · describing

under + earth = existing under the ground

Word parts you'll meet

A small sample of the roots, prefixes, and suffixes you'll collect in your Root Library as you play.

bio= lifegeo= earthchrono= timephon= soundspect= lookscrib / script= writeport= carryaqua= watermicro= smalltrans= across
Ready to open the case files?

15 cases. Increasing difficulty. No login. Your library grows in your browser.