affix

1 of 2

verb

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

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 adjective
affixation noun
affixment 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
affixal adjective
or affixial
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
Verb
The song went on to affix his renegade spirit in fans’ hearts and helped to launch his stratospheric career. Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2023 The Maya, for example, flattened babies’ skulls by affixing their heads to a flat surface similar to a cradleboard. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Aug. 2023 In a future wind farm, far out at sea, each individual wind turbine could have all the necessary systems to produce hydrogen on a platform affixed to the turbine’s tower. Matthias Mueller, IEEE Spectrum, 19 Aug. 2023 The character communicates by tapping on a bell affixed to his wheelchair. Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 4 Aug. 2023 Silver badge stickers affixed to kids’ shirts proclaimed them junior police officers for the night. Beth Mlady, cleveland, 4 Aug. 2023 The younger Maxfield pleaded guilty to theft of public money and making a false statement to an agency of the United States last January after investigators discovered a doctor's signature affixed to his disability benefit questionnaire (DBQ) had been cut and pasted from another application. Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 25 July 2023 The cameras, affixed to light and traffic poles, were turned on at the end of July. Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023 Used to highlight walkways, flower beds, squat bushes and ground cover, these fixtures can be attached to trees or affixed to your home and angled toward the ground. Nevin Martell, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2023
Noun
There is no actual affix difference between a rare dropping at 725 and 820 score. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 17 July 2023 California wildlife biologists and staff with the Nevada Department of Wildlife immobilized the bear in order to collect DNA evidence, attach an ear tag and affix a satellite tracking collar to her. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Aug. 2023 The only difference is the base armor or damage on a piece of gear, which often pales in comparison to getting a perfect roll of affixes. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 17 July 2023 Starting at the bottom of the frame, affix a row of pom-pom trim using a hot-glue gun ($13, Target). Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2023 After all the years and shuffling, who’s left to blame? If 2023 continues its painful slide, the crosshairs firmly affix on Preller and baseball operations. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2023 Find a veteran reliever with closing experience, affix him to the back of the bullpen, and then let Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol and Caleb Ferguson get comfortable in their roles around him. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2023 The best-in-slot affix rolls. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023 In the days following the suicide of David Molak, the 16-year-old former Alamo Heights High School student who killed himself Jan. 4 after being cyberbullied, a slew of students and parents went online to vent their anger and affix blame in his death. Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Dec. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'affix.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Cite this Entry

“Affix.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affix. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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