Which term describes a letter or group added to the end of a word to change its meaning?

Which term describes a letter or group added to the end of a word to change its meaning?

• A. Suffix
• B. Prefix
• C. Root word
• D. Affix

Answer: (A)

Adding something to the end of a word to change its meaning is called a suffix. A suffix is a group of letters that attaches to the word’s ending to modify its meaning or part of speech, like turning “hope” into “hopeful” or “play” into “played.” A prefix is added to the beginning, not the end, so it wouldn’t describe the end of the word. The root word is the base form, not something added. An affix is the general term for any addition (prefix or suffix), but since this example is specifically about what’s added to the end, suffix is the precise term.

Adding something to the end of a word to change its meaning is called a suffix. A suffix is a group of letters that attaches to the word’s ending to modify its meaning or part of speech, like turning “hope” into “hopeful” or “play” into “played.”

A prefix is added to the beginning, not the end, so it wouldn’t describe the end of the word. The root word is the base form, not something added. An affix is the general term for any addition (prefix or suffix), but since this example is specifically about what’s added to the end, suffix is the precise term.