Which term refers to a word that can stand alone and has meaning?

The correct term for a word that can stand alone and has meaning is known as a free morpheme. Free morphemes are the smallest units of meaning that can function independently as words. For example, words like "book," "run," and "happy" are all free morphemes because they convey meaning by themselves, without needing to be attached to other morphemes.

In contrast, a dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a complete thought and usually requires an independent clause to provide context. An independent clause, while also a complete thought, refers specifically to a clause rather than a single word. An affix, such as a prefix or suffix, cannot stand alone; it must be attached to a root word to convey meaning. Therefore, understanding that free morphemes are the only type of linguistic unit in this context that can function independently underscores why "free morpheme" is the most accurate choice.