add

¹

[ ad ]

verb (used with object)

1. to unite or join so as to increase the number, quantity, size, or importance:

   to add two cups of sugar; to add a postscript to her letter;

   to add insult to injury.

   Synonyms: adjoin, attach, append, affix

2. to find the sum of (often followed by up ):

   Add this column of figures.

   Add up the grocery bills.

   Synonyms: sum, total

3. to say or write further.
4. to include (usually followed by in ):

   Don't forget to add in the tip.

verb (used without object)

1. to perform the arithmetic operation of addition:

   children learning to add and subtract.

2. to be or serve as an addition (usually followed by to ):

   His illness added to the family's troubles.

noun

1. Journalism. copy added to a completed story.

verb phrase

1. to signify; indicate:

   The evidence adds up to a case of murder.

ADD

²

[ ey-dee-dee ]

abbreviation for

1. attention deficit disorder: the inattentive subtype of ADHD, usually marked by distractibility and difficulties with executive function.

ADD

¹

abbreviation for

1. attention deficit disorder

add

²

/ æd /

verb

1. to combine (two or more numbers or quantities) by addition
2. trfoll byto to increase (a number or quantity) by another number or quantity using addition
3. troften foll byto to join (something) to something else in order to increase the size, quantity, effect, or scope; unite (with)

   to add insult to injury

4. intrfoll byto to have an extra and increased effect (on)

   her illness added to his worries

5. tr to say or write further
6. trfoll byin to include

noun

1. informal.
   an instance of adding someone to one's list of contacts on a social networking site, esp MySpace

   Thanks for the add!

ADD

1. Abbreviation of attention deficit disorder

Other Words From

• adda·ble addi·ble adjective
• added·ly adverb
• mis·add verb
• re·add verb (used with object)
• un·adda·ble adjective
• un·added adjective
• un·addi·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of add¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English adden, from Latin addere, equivalent to ad- ad- + -dere “to put” (combining form; do ¹ )

Origin of add²

First recorded in 1975–80

Word History and Origins

Origin of add¹

C14: from Latin addere, literally: to put to, from ad- to + -dere to put

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. add up,
   1. to make the desired, expected, or correct total:

      These figures don't add up right.

   2. to seem reasonable or consistent; be in harmony or accord:

      Some aspects of the story didn't add up.

Example Sentences

Then add in all bored people, as well as people whose job it is to report on celebrities.

From The Daily Beast

Seeing what they were doing, I was inspired to add my vision to their technique.

From The Daily Beast

Think of it as Game of Thrones—if you subtract the sex and violence and add drunken revelry and singing.

From The Daily Beast

Her new comments will only add to ongoing speculation that the Yorks plan, one day, to remarry.

From The Daily Beast

The economy has begun to add jobs, but the quality of those jobs is an increasing concern.

From The Daily Beast

Add to this, if you please, the great difficulty of obtaining from them even the words that they have.

From Project Gutenberg

To add point to this success, he knew that the victor of Montebello was straining every nerve to gain this very prize.

From Project Gutenberg

It is painful to add, that the latter years of his life were passed in prison, where he was confined for debt.

From Project Gutenberg

Must I add, that your good money paid this second loan—and yet a third—a fourth—a fifth?

From Project Gutenberg

The Federal Reserve Board reserves the right to add to, alter, or amend these regulations.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boost
• continue
• include
• reply