philo-(word root) loveExamples of words with the root philo-: philogynistAbused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embreephilo- or phil-pref. Having a strong affinity or preference for; loving: philoprogenitive.[Greek, from philos, beloved, loving.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.philo- or before a vowel phil- combining formindicating a love of: philology; philanthropic. [from Greek philos loving]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014philo- a combining form with the meanings ?loving,? ?having an affinity for?: philology. Also, esp. before a vowel, phil-. [