WordGarden.ioinfix
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪnˈfɪks/transitiveverb
US
- /ɪnˈfɪks/transitiveverb
Meanings
Noun
an affix inserted inside a word or stem
Verb
to insert an affix or element inside a word or stem
Adjective
written between operands, as in infix notation
Beyond the definition
Imagine building with LEGO bricks. You can start with a baseplate and add blocks on either side, and that's like a prefix or suffix. But what if you want to insert a special piece right in the middle of your creation? That's an infix. In linguistics, an infix is a letter or syllable inserted within another word. It's less common in English than prefixes and suffixes, but it does appear. Think of words like "abso-bloody-lutely," where "bloody" is the infix.
While rare in standard English, infixes are often used for emphasis or to create informal expressions. They are more common in other languages. The word also appears in programming and math: infix notation means an operator is written between two values, like instead of .
An infix is something placed in the middle of something else. In linguistics, it usually means a letter, sound, or syllable added inside a word stem, often to change meaning or add emphasis. Unlike prefixes, which go at the beginning, and suffixes, which go at the end, this kind of form appears within the main body of the word.
English does not have many true, grammatically required infixes, but speakers sometimes use them informally for expressive effect. A classic example is "abso-bloody-lutely," where "bloody" is inserted for emphasis. Another example is "fan-freaking-tastic." These are not usually treated as standard formal English, but they are common in casual speech.
The term also has a formal use in computer science and mathematics. In these fields, infix notation refers to writing an operator (such as +, -, *, or /) between its operands. For example, is infix notation because the plus sign sits between the numbers 2 and 3. This contrasts with prefix notation () and postfix notation (2 3 +).
So whether you're looking at language, writing code, or just noticing playful speech, the idea is the same: something is placed inside rather than at the front or the end. The key idea is what goes in the middle.
Examples
- 1
Linguistics class
English has very few true infixes, so most people only hear the term in a linguistics class.
- 2
Expression notation
The program converts the infix expression `a + b` into postfix before solving it.
- Domaininfix expression
an expression where the operator goes between the two parts
- 3
Word formation
In some languages, a small sound can be infixed into a word to change its meaning.
- Patternbe infixed into + word
be added inside that word
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- infixnounverb
Forms
- infixespluralnounverb
- infixedpast tenseverbnoun
- infixing-ing formverbnoun