affix

1 of 2

verb

af·​fix ə-ˈfiks 

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

ə-ˈfik-sə-bəl 

a-

adjective

affixation

ˌa-ˌfik-ˈsā-shən 

noun

affixment

ə-ˈfik-smənt 

a-

noun

affix

2 of 2

noun

af·​fix ˈa-ˌfiks 

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 

adjective

or affixial

a-ˈfik-sē-əl 

Synonyms

Verb

• attach
• bend
• fasten
• fix

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

Remember that the first step is almost always affixing the tag to the carcass, or reporting your kill on a state’s dedicated smartphone application. —Wes Siler, Outside Online, 15 Oct. 2024

The department said all custody deputies carry at least one dose of the medication with them, and doses of it are affixed to the walls for inmates to use in some parts of the jail. —Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024

Noun

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

Yes, but: The change has created the opportunity for scammers to affix imposter QR codes on parking meters, directing users to imitation payment sites, per BBB. —Jason Clayworth, Axios, 16 July 2024

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

Kids Definition

affix

1 of 2 verb

af·​fix ə-ˈfiks 

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 

: 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- 

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