noun
Uncommon
rooting
Rooting (noun) means the process of a plant or cutting growing roots. Example: “Rooting takes about two weeks for most houseplant cuttings.”
noun
1
The process of a plant or cutting growing roots.
"Rooting takes about two weeks for most houseplant cuttings."
2
The act of supporting or cheering for someone.
"Thanks for all the rooting — we really felt the support tonight."
How to use rooting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither plants growing roots, or cheering someone on, depending on context.
Common pairings
rooting for you
rooting hormone
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Word forms
- Plural
- rootings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ takes about two weeks for most houseplant cuttings.
Etymology
Came into English from Middle English rotynge ("rooting"), equivalent to root + -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for rooting
See all rhymes for rooting →Frequently asked questions
What does “rooting” mean?
The word “rooting” means the process of a plant or cutting growing roots. In plain terms, either plants growing roots, or cheering someone on, depending on context.
How do you use “rooting” in a sentence?
Here is “rooting” used in a sentence: “Rooting takes about two weeks for most houseplant cuttings.”
What part of speech is “rooting”?
“Rooting” is a noun.
Is “rooting” a common word?
“Rooting” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “rooting” have?
“Rooting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of a plant or cutting growing roots.
What is the difference between rooting and rooting for someone?
Rooting on its own can refer to the botanical process of a plant or cutting growing roots, while rooting for someone specifically means cheering for or supporting that person, typically in a competition or difficult situation. Context and the preposition for usually make clear which sense is meant.
What does it mean to say I'm rooting for you?
Saying I'm rooting for you expresses support and encouragement, showing that you want someone to succeed. It is an informal, warm phrase commonly used before someone faces a challenge, competition, or difficult task.
How is rooting used when talking about plants?
When applied to plants, rooting describes the stage where a cutting or seedling develops roots, often discussed in the context of propagation methods like rooting hormone or rooting in water. This sense is common in gardening guides describing how to grow new plants from cuttings.
