add up
verb
added up; adding up; adds up
1
a
: to come to the expected total
the bill doesn't add up
b
: to form an intelligible pattern : make sense
her story just doesn't add up
2
a
: amount sense 1b
—used with to
the play adds up to a lot of laughs
b
: to amount to a lot
just a little each time, but it all adds up
: to form an opinion of
added him up at a glance
Examples of add up in a Sentence
whether we take the 4:00 train or the 4:15 bus, it adds up to the same thing: they both get us back too late
even if we pool all our money, it won't add up to enough to rent a beach house for a week
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the best parts of summer is the abundance of frozen treats — but those trips to the ice cream shop can start to add up.
—
Clara McMahon, People.com, 11 July 2025
All in all, the game is loaded across the board with minor upgrades that add up to a lot, along with a few actual big changes.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Spending on groceries in general added up to an average of $34 per day, the data showed.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 10 July 2025
These changes can be simple, everyday habits that add up over time.1
People who smoke have a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition that occurs when your blood vessels become stiff and narrow due to plaque buildup.
—Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for add up
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Clara McMahon, People.com, 11 July 2025
All in all, the game is loaded across the board with minor upgrades that add up to a lot, along with a few actual big changes.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Spending on groceries in general added up to an average of $34 per day, the data showed.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 10 July 2025
These changes can be simple, everyday habits that add up over time.1
People who smoke have a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition that occurs when your blood vessels become stiff and narrow due to plaque buildup.
—Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for add up
Cite this Entry
“Add up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/add%20up. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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