Meaning & use
affixed
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“affixed” is a form of “affix”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Past tense and past participle of affix: fastened or attached something firmly to something else.
Grammar: Takes an object and usually to: she affixed a label to the box.
Patterns
- affix something to something
She affixed a label to every jar.
The poster was affixed to the wall with tape.
Officials affixed their seals to the document.
verbtransitiveformallegal
Added or put in writing at the end of a document, as a signature or note.
Grammar: Used in legal and official writing: he affixed his signature.
Patterns
- affix a signature to something
- affix a note
He affixed his signature at the bottom of the page.
A short note was affixed to the contract.
The mayor affixed her initials to the plan.
adjectiveafter a verbformal
Firmly attached, as in an affixed seal or label.
Grammar: Often follows be: the seal is affixed.
Patterns
- affixed to something
The affixed stamp showed the date of delivery.
An affixed plaque named the donor.
The affixed label had peeled in the rain.
Word forms
| present participle | affixing |
|---|---|
| third person singular | affixes |
Common combinations
- affixed to the wall
- The notice was affixed to the wall by the door.
- affix a stamp
- Affix a stamp in the top right corner.
- affix a signature
- He affixed his signature to the will.
- affix a label
- Affix a label to each parcel.
- firmly affixed
- The sign was firmly affixed to the post.
Synonyms and how they differ
- attached
- Attached is the plain everyday word and works for emails or objects, while affixed sounds formal and suggests permanence.
- fastened
- Fastened implies a secure fixing with a clip, button or knot, not necessarily stuck on a surface.
- stuck
- Stuck is informal and often suggests glue or tape, but it does not sound official.
- appended
- Appended means added to the end of a document, so it is narrower than affixed.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: affixed or effects? affixed or suffixed?
affixed vs effects
Effects (plural noun) sounds somewhat similar and means results; affixed is a verb meaning attached.
affixed vs suffixed
Suffixed means added at the end of a word, whereas affixed is more general.
Practice
The notice had been ____ to the door with strong tape.
Choose one answer.
Affixed means firmly attached. Affected means influenced, effaced means rubbed out, and effected means brought about.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “affixed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.