Rooting
'ruːtɪŋ
Definitions
3 meaningsTo search or dig in the earth with the snout or nose.
'ruːtɪŋ
To search or dig for something using the root
The pig was rooting in the mud looking for truffles.
💡 Simply: Imagine a pig using its nose to dig around in the dirt looking for yummy snacks! That's rooting.
👶 For kids: When an animal like a pig digs in the ground with its nose to find food.
More Examples
The dog started rooting around in the garden after burying its bone.
How It's Used
"The farmer was rooting in the soil for potatoes."
"The pigs were rooting in the mud for grubs."
To support or cheer for someone or something, often a sports team.
'ruːtɪŋ
To support a sports team or a person
Everyone was rooting for the little girl who ran the marathon.
💡 Simply: When you want a team or person to win, you are 'rooting' for them. It's like cheering them on!
👶 For kids: When you cheer for your favorite team or player, you are rooting for them!
More Examples
We're rooting for the local team in the playoffs.
I always root for the underdog.
How It's Used
"I am rooting for the home team to win the game."
"The crowd was rooting loudly for the underdog."
To establish roots, or to cause something to establish roots.
'ruːtɪŋ
To establish roots
The new plant is rooting well and starting to grow.
💡 Simply: When a plant grows roots to stay in the ground, or when people settle down somewhere and make a home, they are 'rooting' somewhere.
👶 For kids: When a plant grows roots to hold it in the ground.
More Examples
The company decided to root its headquarters in a smaller town.
After years of moving around, she finally decided to root herself in the countryside.
How It's Used
"The plant is rooting well in the new soil."
"He found it hard to root himself in a new community."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
root and branch
Completely; thoroughly; totally.
"The government decided to reform the system root and branch."
From Old Norse *rót*, meaning "root," and the suffix "-ing" indicating a process or action.
Historically, the word has been used to describe both the physical action of digging with roots and the figurative sense of establishing oneself or supporting someone/something.
Memory tip
Think of a pig 'rooting' for food in the mud.
Word Origin
"From the root rót, meaning "root", referencing the physical base of a plant and extending to the process of searching, digging, and establishing."