affix

affix — verb

IPA/əˈfɪks/
KK[əfˈɪks]IPA/əˈfɪks/
  • affixpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • affixeshe / she / it
  • affixedpast simple
  • affixing-ing form

1. to attach one object firmly to another, for example with glue, tape, or a staple

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to attach one object firmly to another, for example with glue, tape, or a staple

例句

Padma affixed the poster to the wall with four strips of tape.

affix + to: attaching a flat object with tape

The label was affixed to the medicine bottle with strong glue.

passive: be affixed to something

同義詞
  • attach

    more general — can describe joining things in any way, not only with glue or tape

  • stick

    informal everyday equivalent; a child sticks a drawing on the fridge

  • fasten

    emphasises making something secure, often with a clasp, buckle, or tie

  • glue

    specific — always involves adhesive

反義詞
  • detach

    formal opposite: to remove something that was attached

  • remove

    general opposite

文法句型

affix + something + to/onto + something

用法筆記

Object is typically something flat or light that can be stuck onto a surface — a stamp, label, poster, or sign. More formal than 'stick' or 'glue'.

常見錯誤

❌I affixed the book on the table.
✅I affixed the label to the book.
💡'affix' means to attach firmly to a surface, not just to put something somewhere.
❌She affixed her coat to the hook.
✅She hung her coat on the hook.
💡'affix' is for flat things stuck onto surfaces; use 'hang' for hooks.

2. to place a prefix or suffix onto a base word, changing its meaning or grammatica

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to place a prefix or suffix onto a base word, changing its meaning or grammatical function

例句

Mei wanted to know why English speakers affix '-ed' to so many verbs.

Tendai's teacher showed him how to affix 'un-' to adjectives to form opposites.

affix + prefix + to: adding 'un-' to form opposite adjectives

同義詞
  • add

    most general term; does not carry the linguistic meaning on its own

  • append

    similar but broader — can describe adding anything to the end of anything

反義詞
  • remove

    general opposite

  • delete

    used specifically for removing text or characters

文法句型

affix + [letter or group of letters] + to + [base word]

用法筆記

Used only when talking about word formation. The direct object is the letter or group being added, not the base word. Distinguish from sense 1 (physical sticking) and sense 3 (general appending).

常見錯誤

❌You affix a word to a prefix.
✅You affix a prefix to a word.
💡the affix is the thing you add; the base word is what you add it to.

3. to put something extra onto the end of a document, object, or piece of writing

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to put something extra onto the end of a document, object, or piece of writing

例句

Shirin affixed her signature to the bottom of the contract.

affix + signature: typical formal object

The editor affixed a short note to the end of the article.

同義詞
  • append

    close synonym — both mean adding to the end, but 'append' is slightly less formal

  • attach

    more general; can describe adding something anywhere, not only at the end

  • add

    the most general term; does not specify position or formality

反義詞

文法句型

affix + something + to + something

用法筆記

More formal than 'add' or 'attach.' Common in official documents and written instructions. Often implies adding at the very end rather than somewhere in the middle.

常見錯誤

❌She affixed the meeting to her calendar.
✅She added the meeting to her calendar.
💡'affix' is for physical or textual objects, not calendar events.

affix — noun

IPA/ˈæf.ɪks/
KK[ˈæfɪks]IPA/ˈæf.ɪks/