Which term describes a word part added to the end of a root word to modify its meaning?

• A. Suffix
• B. Prefix
• C. Infix
• D. Affix

Answer: (A)

A suffix is a word part attached to the end of a root word to change its meaning or function. For example, adding “-ful” to hopeful creates a word describing being full of hope, and adding “--less” to care gives a word meaning without care. Suffixes can indicate things like tense, degree, or part of speech, and they help form related words—like play becoming player or quick becoming quickly.

This is different from a prefix, which goes at the beginning; an infix, which is inserted inside a word in some languages (less common in English); and the broader term affix, which covers any word part attached to a base (prefixes and suffixes, and sometimes infixes). Since the question specifies a word part added to the end, suffix is the best fit.