affix

American  

[uh-fiks, af-iks] / əˈfɪks, ˈæf ɪks /

verb (used with object)

1. to fasten, join, or attach (usually followed byto ).

   to affix stamps to a letter.

2. to put or add on; append.

   to affix a signature to a contract.

3. to impress (a seal or stamp).

4. to attach (blame, reproach, ridicule, etc.).

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noun

1. something that is joined or attached.

2. Grammar. a bound inflectional or derivational element, as a prefix, infix, or suffix, added to a base or stem to form a fresh stem or a word, as -ed added to want to form wanted, or im- added to possible to form impossible.

affix British  

/ ˌæfɪkˈseɪʃən, əˈfɪkstʃə /

verb

1. to attach, fasten, join, or stick

   to affix a poster to the wall

2. to add or append

   to affix a signature to a document

3. to attach or attribute (guilt, blame, etc)

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noun

1. a linguistic element added to a word or root to produce a derived or inflected form: -ment in establishment is a derivational affix; -s in drowns is an inflectional affix See also prefix suffix infix

2. something fastened or attached; appendage

Other Word Forms

• affixable adjective
• affixal adjective
• affixation noun
• affixer noun
• affixial adjective
• affixment noun
• reaffix verb (used with object)
• unaffixed adjective

Etymology

Origin of affix

1525–35; < Latin affīxus fastened to (past participle of affīgere ), equivalent to af- af- + fīg- fasten + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix

Explanation

When you affix something, you stick it on to something else. You might affix a stamp to a letter or affix colorful stickers to your notebook. The verb affix often refers to physically attaching something — like when you affix a label onto a folder — but it can be used more broadly to describe adding on something. You might affix your signature to a contract. If you like grammar, you might already know that the noun form of affix refers to letters or words that can be tacked onto other base words to alter their meaning. For example, the prefix un- is an affix.

Example Sentences

Prosecutors published photos showing one of Liaw’s deputies with an assistant who they said used a hair dryer to remove and affix labels and serial-number stickers to shipping boxes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

Otherwise it waits for someone to complain to its content moderation team, which could then decide to affix a label to something.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

I wonder if you can affix that to this set of categories you have made about the difference between rule of law and rule by fiat.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2025

Estrada credited the media for breaking the story — which really meant Gerda, who used to affix mics to my shirt when he was an intern at Orange County’s PBS channel about 15 years ago.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2024

To the wall I affix the Ahnenpass, what is left of the girl I thought I was.

From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper

Related Words

• append
• fasten
• glue
• paste
• tack