affix

1 of 2

verb

af·​fix ə-ˈfiks How to pronounce affix (audio)
a-
affixed; affixing; affixes
Synonyms of affixnext

transitive verb

1
: to attach physically
affix a stamp to a letter
2
: to attach in any way : add, append
affix a signature to a document
3
: impress
affixed my seal
affixable
ə-ˈfik-sə-bəl How to pronounce affix (audio)
a-
adjective
affixation
ˌa-ˌfik-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce affix (audio)
noun
affixment
ə-ˈfik-smənt How to pronounce affix (audio)
a-
noun

affix

2 of 2

noun

af·​fix ˈa-ˌfiks How to pronounce affix (audio)
1
grammar : one or more sounds or letters occurring as a bound form attached to the beginning or end of a word, base, or phrase or inserted within a word or base and serving to produce a derivative word or an inflectional form
The affix in the word "attendance" is "-ance."
2
: appendage
affixal
ˈa-ˌfik-səl How to pronounce affix (audio)
adjective
or affixial
a-ˈfik-sē-əl How to pronounce affix (audio)

Synonyms

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for affix

fasten, fix, attach, affix mean to make something stay firmly in place.

fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing.

fasten the reins to a post

fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding.

fixed the stake in the ground

attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together.

attach the W-2 form here

affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing.

affix your address label here

Examples of affix in a Sentence

Verb affix a first-class stamp to the envelope
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
One of the key ways the brand achieves making these kinds of sturdy home decor is by pairing their rugs with a nonslip pad that affixes to the material. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024 There are several different media types under the OOH umbrella, but the most popular include billboards, Times Square digital spectaculars and ads affixed to large scale walls, and then on the transit side, advertisements affixed to subway stations/trains, buses, bike shares and bus shelters. —Fairchild Studio, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
The operation is so small, its owners affix labels to their bottles by hand themselves in the back. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 There are even Braille stickers for Blind and low vision people to affix to their product’s various knobs and switches. —Steven Aquino, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for affix 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Latin affīxus, past participle of affīgere "to fasten (to), attach," from ad- ad- + fīgere "to drive in, insert" — more at fix entry 1

Noun

borrowed from Middle French affixe "notice, placard, element added to the base or stem of a word (originally in Hebrew grammar)," borrowed from Latin affīxus, past participle of affīgere "to fasten (to), attach" — more at affix entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of affix was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near affix

affirmatory

affix

affix-clipping

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Affix.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affix. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

affix

1 of 2 verb
af·​fix ə-ˈfiks How to pronounce affix (audio)
a-
1
: to attach physically : fasten
affix a stamp to a letter
2
: to attach in any way : add
affix a signature to a document

affix

2 of 2 noun
af·​fix ˈaf-ˌiks How to pronounce affix (audio)
: a letter or a group of letters attached to the beginning or end of a word that serves to produce a derivative word or an inflectional form

Legal Definition

affix

transitive verb
af·​fix ə-ˈfiks, a- How to pronounce affix (audio)
1
: to attach physically
2
: to attach or add in any way
affix a signature to a document
3
: to make by or as if by pressure
affix my seal

More from Merriam-Webster on affix

Nglish: Translation of affix for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of affix for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about affix

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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