add

1 of 2

verb

ˈad 

added; adding; adds

transitive verb

1

: to join or unite so as to bring about an increase or improvement

adds 60 acres to his land

wine adds a creative touch to cooking

2

: to say further : append

Do you have anything else to add to the discussion?

3

: to combine (numbers) into an equivalent simple quantity or number

4

: to include as a member of a group

Don't forget to add me in.

intransitive verb

1

a

: to perform addition

b

: to come together or unite by addition

The facts added together to support his theory.

2

a

: to serve as an addition

The movie will add to his fame.

b

: to make an addition

added to her savings

addable adjective

or addible

ˈa-də-bəl 

ADD

2 of 2

abbreviation

1

American Dialect Dictionary

2

attention deficit disorder

Synonyms

Verb

• adjoin
• annex
• append
• subjoin
• tack (on)

Examples of add in a Sentence

Verb

She's planning to add some new flowers to the garden.

The company is adding over 200 jobs this year.

This winter, he added skiing to his list of favorite sports.

Add one cup of sugar to the mixture.

Next, add the remaining butter to the pan.

In this dish, fresh herbs add lots of color and flavor.

We can help you add excitement to your vacation.

The historical details add depth to his story.

She adds a certain amount of experience and authority to the project.

When you add three and seven, you get ten.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Sullivan added that the newborns even soothe each other if one of them is fussy. —Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024

Cockburn added that a tournament such as the World Cup could hold the power to bring about positive change, but only if the intentions are genuinely there to do so. —Ben Church, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024

While Bora commended the company for improving its revenue growth as of late, the analyst added that this growth has come at high incremental costs and looks more impressive considering the firm’s muted growth in year-ago quarters. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024

Writer John Hughes added heart to Thanksgiving with Planes, Trains and Automobiles. —Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English adden, borrowed from Anglo-French adder, borrowed from Latin addere, from ad- ad- + -dere "to put, place," going back to a reduced ablaut grade of Indo-European *d^heh₁- — more at do entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing add

• add-in
• add insult to injury
• add-on
• add to
• add to this/that
• add up
• add up to much
• hasten to add/say/explain (etc.)

Kids Definition

add

verb

ˈad 

1

a

: to join or unite to a thing so as to increase or improve it

add a wing to the house

color adds a creative touch

b

: to unite or combine in a single whole

c

: to include as a member of a group

add me in

2

: to say something more

add to her remarks

3

: to combine (numbers) into a single number that has the same total value

addable adjective

or addible

ˈad-ə-bəl 

Medical Definition

add

1 of 2 abbreviation

adduction; adductor

ADD

2 of 2 abbreviation

attention deficit disorder