What is a free morpheme known as?

A free morpheme is known as a root word. This term refers to a morpheme that can stand alone as a complete word and conveys a specific meaning. Root words serve as the primary lexical unit from which other words can be created by adding prefixes or suffixes. For example, in the word "happiness," "happy" is the root word, and the suffix “-ness” transforms it into a noun.

Other terms provided, such as compound word, affix, and base word, do not accurately describe a free morpheme's independence and meaning. A compound word combines two or more root words (e.g., "notebook"), while an affix is a morpheme that cannot stand alone and is attached to a base word to modify its meaning (e.g., "un-" in "undo"). The term base word may sometimes refer to a morpheme that provides meaning but does not specifically imply that it can stand alone, which is a defining characteristic of a free morpheme. Therefore, identifying a free morpheme correctly as a root word is essential for understanding its role in language.