What term refers to a group of letters added at the end of a word to change its meaning?

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

Answer: (D)

Suffix is the name for the group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning. That ending piece can adjust the word’s meaning, tense, or part of speech, depending on the suffix used. While affix is the broad term for any added piece (prefixes at the front, infixes inside, and suffixes at the end), the question points to the ending piece specifically, so suffix is the precise term. For example, adding -ed to a verb like walk makes walked, showing how a suffix changes tense; adding -ful to care makes careful, shifting the word’s meaning and how it’s used in a sentence.