add
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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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.
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to find the sum of (often followed byup ).
Add this column of figures.
Add up the grocery bills.
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to say or write further.
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to include (usually followed byin ).
Don't forget to add in the tip.
verb (used without object)
noun
verb phrase
idioms
abbreviation
abbreviation
verb
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to combine (two or more numbers or quantities) by addition
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to increase (a number or quantity) by another number or quantity using addition
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to join (something) to something else in order to increase the size, quantity, effect, or scope; unite (with)
to add insult to injury
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to have an extra and increased effect (on)
her illness added to his worries
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(tr) to say or write further
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to include
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
unaddedadjective
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misaddverb
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unaddibleadjective
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addibleadjective
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unaddableadjective
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addableadjective
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readdverb (used with object)
-
addedlyadverb
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has addedperfect 3rd person singular
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have addedperfect
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have been addingperfect progressive
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is addingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are addingprogressive
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am addingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been addingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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addingparticiple
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addssingular 3rd person
Past
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had addedperfect
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had been addingperfect progressive
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was addingprogressive singular
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addedsimple
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were addingprogressive plural
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addedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of add1
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English adden, from Latin addere, equivalent to ad- ad- + -dere “to put” (combining form; see do 1)
Origin of ADD2
First recorded in 1975–80
Explanation
When you add, you join two or more things together. If you add on to your summer cottage, you build an extra room that's connected to your existing house. If your boss adds ten dollars to your paycheck, she gives you the money in addition to, or on top of, your salary. And when you add a column of numbers, you combine each one in the list until you get a final answer. You might verbally add something by making one last statement: "I'd like to add that I can't wait to visit again!" The Latin root is addere, "add to, join, or attach."
Vocabulary lists containing add
Number and Operations: Fractions
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Operations and Algebraic Thinking
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Measurement and Data
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Add in the fact that conditions are still supportive of equities moving higher, and it seems likely that tech can keep making gains.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
Add the rice, frozen peas and two additional cups of water.
From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026
Add it to the list of things the 4-6 squad needs to work on to climb back near the top of the WNBA.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026
Add to this the recollection of that magical moment when the cult members realized they were in a cult.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
Add locksmith skills and a keen ability to keep a low profile, and I trip into the lap of luxury on a regular basis.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.