additive

[ad-i-tiv]

noun

1. something that is added, as one substance to another, to alter or improve the general quality or to counteract undesirable properties.

   an additive that thins paint.

2. Nutrition.

   1. Also called food additive. a substance added directly to food during processing, as for preservation, coloring, or stabilization.

   2. something that becomes part of food or affects it as a result of packaging or processing, as debris or radiation.

adjective

1. characterized or produced by addition; cumulative.

   an additive process.

2. Mathematics.,  (of a function) having the property that the function of the union or sum of two quantities is equal to the sum of the functional values of each quantity; linear.

additive

/ ˈædɪtɪv /

adjective

1. characterized or produced by addition; cumulative

noun

1. any substance added to something to improve it, prevent deterioration, etc

2. short for food additive

additive

1. A substance added in small amounts to something else to improve, strengthen, or otherwise alter it. Additives are used for a variety of reasons. They are added to food, for example, to enhance taste or color or to prevent spoilage. They are added to gasoline to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, and to plastics to enhance molding capability.

1. Relating to the production of color by the mixing of light rays of varying wavelengths.

2. ◆ The additive primaries red, green, and blue are those colors whose wavelengths can be mixed in different proportions to produce all other spectral colors.

3. Compare subtractive See Note at color

4. Mathematics,  Marked by, produced by, or involving addition.

Other Word Forms

• additively adverb
• interadditive adjective
• subadditive adjective
• subadditively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of additive¹

From the Late Latin word additīvus, dating back to 1690–1700. See additament, -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of additive¹

C17: from Late Latin additīvus, from addere to _add

Example Sentences

Food and Drug Administration to firms marketing kratom-related products, 7-OH has not been approved by the FDA and is not permitted to be marketed or sold as a drug or additive to food or drinks.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has tapped into these anxieties, blaming chemicals, food additives and medications for increasing rates of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety and gender dysphoria.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In 2023, Gabriel authored the California Food Safety Act, which prohibits several food additives — including red dye No. 3 — that are commonly found in soda, candy and cereal.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“We’ve just got to make sure he’s healthy. If he’s right, then it could be very additive.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But many traditional diets are being displaced by ultra-processed foods, often high in sugar, starch, salt, unhealthy fats and additives.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• preservative 
• supplement