postfix: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Academic
Quick answer
What does “postfix” mean?
An affix placed after a word or stem (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An affix placed after a word or stem (e.g., -s, -ed, -ing); less commonly, to add such an affix.
In computing, a notation where operators follow their operands (postfix notation, e.g., Reverse Polish Notation); also refers to the part of an email address after the @ symbol (the domain).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning. Both prefer 'suffix' in linguistic contexts. Computing usage is identical.
Connotations
Sounds highly technical or computational.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language; almost exclusively used in technical fields.
Grammar
How to Use “postfix” in a Sentence
N + postfixpostfix + NV + in postfix notationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “postfix” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The linguist analysed the grammatical function of each postfix.
- The algorithm efficiently parses postfix expressions.
American English
- In this programming language, operators are written in postfix form.
- The email postfix 'example.com' identifies the domain.
verb
British English
- One can postfix the marker '-ish' to create informal adjectives.
- The compiler was designed to postfix the increment operator.
American English
- Some languages allow you to postfix modifiers to the noun.
- The system will automatically postfix a timestamp to the filename.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in IT or software development contexts.
Academic
Common in linguistics and computer science papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare.
Technical
Primary domain of use (computer science, formal linguistics).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “postfix”
- Using 'postfix' in everyday language instead of 'suffix'.
- Confusing 'postfix' with 'prefix'.
- Incorrect stress: /poʊstˈfɪks/ instead of /ˈpoʊst.fɪks/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In linguistics, yes, they are synonymous, but 'suffix' is the overwhelmingly common term. 'Postfix' is more typical in computing contexts.
It's a mathematical notation where the operator follows the operands, e.g., '3 4 +' instead of '3 + 4'. It's also called Reverse Polish Notation (RPN).
Yes, though it's rare. It means to append something, especially in computing or linguistic contexts (e.g., 'to postfix an operator').
Technically, yes. In an email address like '[email protected]', the part after the @ symbol ('example.com') is sometimes called the postfix, though 'domain' is the standard term.
An affix placed after a word or stem (e.
Postfix is usually technical / academic in register.
Postfix: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpəʊst.fɪks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpoʊst.fɪks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
POST comes AFTER. A POSTfix comes AFTER the word or operand.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A STRUCTURE (where parts are added); COMPUTATION IS MATHEMATICAL NOTATION.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'postfix' most frequently encountered?