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  • add
    add
    verb (used with object)
    to unite or join so as to increase the number, quantity, size, or importance.
  • ADD
    ADD
    abbreviation
    attention deficit disorder: the inattentive subtype of ADHD, usually marked by distractibility and difficulties with executive function.
Synonyms

add

1 American  
[ad] / æd /

verb (used with object)

adds, present (3rd person singular) added, past participle, past adding present participle
  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 byup ).

    Add this column of figures.

    Add up the grocery bills.

    Synonyms:
    sum, total
  3. to say or write further.

  4. to include (usually followed byin ).

    Don't forget to add in the tip.


verb (used without object)

adds, present (3rd person singular) added, past participle, past adding present participle
  1. to perform the arithmetic operation of addition.

    children learning to add and subtract.

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

    His illness added to the family's troubles.

noun

  1. Journalism. copy added to a completed story.

verb phrase

  1. add up to to signify; indicate.

    The evidence adds up to a case of murder.

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.

ADD 2 American  
[ey-dee-dee] / ˈeɪˈdiˈdi /

abbreviation

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


add 1 British  
/ æd /

verb

  1. to combine (two or more numbers or quantities) by addition

  2. to increase (a number or quantity) by another number or quantity using addition

  3. to join (something) to something else in order to increase the size, quantity, effect, or scope; unite (with)

    to add insult to injury

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

    her illness added to his worries

  5. (tr) to say or write further

  6. to include

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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!

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
ADD 2 British  

abbreviation

  1. attention deficit disorder

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ADD Scientific  
  1. Abbreviation of attention deficit disorder


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing add

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.

See Examples For:

So, off the IL alone, the Dodgers are expecting to add two well-established starters, a closer, and a versatile position player in the second half.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 27, 2026

They forecast that each month where a deal isn’t reached will add at least $10 to the price of a barrel of oil.

From MarketWatch Jul. 27, 2026

Earlier this month, to much fanfare, the chip maker introduced American depositary receipts to add to its longstanding listing in Korea.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 26, 2026

It is part of a push by the country -- and others on the continent -- to add value domestically to raw materials to create jobs and lift export earnings.

From Barron's Jul. 26, 2026

I add the picture to my phone as the wallpaper.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Maybe, as certain people have suggested to me, we’re all a little ADD.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 23, 2026

"Women are raised in a different way," DeGeneres says, before sharing a personal moment about growing up in a neglectful home, and having OCD and ADD.

From Salon Sep. 24, 2024

“I have ADD and I’m dyslexic, so learning a lot of dialogue was always very daunting,” said Saldaña in an interview prior to the start of the actors strike.

From Seattle Times Jul. 20, 2023

“I was diagnosed with ADD when I was in 9th grade after a couple of years of not knowing why I couldn’t keep up,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times May 23, 2023

Because of my ADD, I have done some wacky stuff in the past—where unfortunately, there were no standing ovations!

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers

However, these methods could further weigh on final yields and keep profitability below its peers, he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 27, 2026

Nearby, a handmade chandelier by artist Helen Stickler, decorated with vintage Swarovski crystals and beads, adds to what Weger describes as her “Candyland vibe.”

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 27, 2026

The 10% dividend hike accelerates recent growth following a 4% rise last year and 3% the year before, he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 27, 2026

It could face "fierce opposition" if that means people who would not have faced inheritance tax will now have their estates taxed, the paper adds.

From BBC Jul. 26, 2026

He adds, “I’m Ben. Like the clock in London. Menominee-Apache.”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Mixing old and new is important, she says, referring to the House of Hackney hollyhock pattern she recently added to the walls of the living room and bedrooms, as well as the dining room lampshade.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 27, 2026

"He was just a beautiful big man with a big personality, big sense of humour and everything about him was just lovable," she added.

From BBC Jul. 27, 2026

“Any family tree is going to be filled with colors,” Marshall added.

From Salon Jul. 27, 2026

“Do I recommend not getting involved? Yes,” she added, abdicating all responsibility for the safety of the neighborhood.

From Slate Jul. 27, 2026

But if the telephone was a boon, it was also a fresh risk—as was each added worker and connection.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Plus, the largest regionals are already well on the road to adding more Wall Street-type activity to their businesses by acquiring midsize investment banks, for example.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 27, 2026

If this all sounds boring compared to adding Skubal to a rotation that’s full of star power when healthy, that’s by design.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 27, 2026

French firefighting authorities have blamed the phenomenon for the blazes near Bordeaux, adding that it had never before been seen in the country.

From BBC Jul. 27, 2026

"We know that climate change is adding more fuel to the fire," Hazen said.

From Barron's Jul. 27, 2026

She glanced at the clock, automatically adding three hours for Georgia time, wondering if she could squeeze in a video chat.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

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