affixes

Affixes are little parts added to words to change their meaning or function. They include prefixes, which are added to the beginning of a word (like “un” in “unknown,” meaning “not known”), and suffixes, added to the end (like “-ful” in “beautiful,” meaning “full of beauty”). These small pieces help us form new words and understand nuances in language. Affixes are common across languages and are useful for expanding vocabulary, clarifying ideas, or changing the grammatical role of a word.