- The definition of add means to join or bring together for the purpose of increasing in number or importance or to change the effect.
- An example of add is to put more hot sauce in the chili to increase its spiceness.
- An example of add is to combine two and three to equal five.
A child learning to add.
Licensed from iStockPhoto
transitive verb
- to join or unite (something) to something else so as to increase the quantity, number, size, etc. or change the total effect: to add a wing to the building, to add seasoning to the sauce
- to state further
- to combine (numbers) into a sum; calculate the total of
Origin: Middle English adden ; from Classical Latin addere, to add ; from ad-, to plush dare, to give
intransitive verb
- to cause an increase; be an addition (to): this adds to my pleasure
- to find a sum by doing arithmetic
Origin: Classical Latin adde
Pharmacy let there be added; add- American Dialect Dictionary
- attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
verb add·ed, add·ing, adds verb, transitive
- To combine (a column of figures, for example) to form a sum.
- To join or unite so as to increase in size, quantity, quality, or scope: added 12 inches to the deck; flowers that added beauty to the dinner table.
- To say or write further.
- To find a sum in arithmetic.
- a. To constitute an addition: an exploit that will add to her reputation.b. To create or make an addition: gradually added to my meager savings.
Origin: Middle English adden, from Latin addere : ad-, ad- + dare, to give; see dō- in Indo-European roots.
Related Forms:
- addˈa·ble, addˈi·ble adjective
abbreviation
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. attention deficit disorder
add - Medical Definition
abbreviation
attention deficit disorder
abbreviation
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Latin adde (add)
add - Phrases/Idioms
add up
- to calculate the total of
- to equal the expected sum these figures don't add up
- to seem reasonable his excuse just doesn't add up
add up to
- to reach a total of
- to mean; signify
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
add up to
To constitute; amount to: The revisions added up to a lot of work.
add - Science Definition
Abbreviation of attention deficit disorder
Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.