address

[noun uh-dres, ad-res; verb uh-dres]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR address ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a speech or written statement, usually formal, directed to a particular group of persons: the president's address on the state of the economy.

a direction as to the intended recipient, written on or attached to a piece of mail.

the place or the name of the place where a person, organization, or the like is located or may be reached: What is your address when you're in Des Moines?

manner of speaking to persons; personal bearing in conversation.

skillful and expeditious management; ready skill; dispatch: to handle a matter with address.

Computers.

a label, as an integer, symbol, or other set of characters, designating a location, register, etc., where information is stored in computer memory.
a set of characters designating an email account: Her email address ends in “.net,” not “.com.”
a set of characters designating the location of a website or a particular computer or other device on a network: He visits that website so often that its complete address comes up whenever he types its first letter into the address bar.See also URL

Government. a request to the executive by the legislature to remove a judge for unfitness.

Usually addresses. attentions paid by a suitor or lover; courtship.

(usually initial capital letter) the reply to the king's speech in the English Parliament.

Obsolete. preparation.

verb (used with object), ad·dressed, ad·dress·ing.

to direct a speech or written statement to: to address an assembly.

to use a specified form or title in speaking or writing to: Address the president as “Mr. President.”

to direct to the attention: He addressed his remarks to the lawyers in the audience.

to apply in speech (used reflexively, usually followed by to): He addressed himself to the leader.

to deal with or discuss: to address the issues.

to put the directions for delivery on: to address a letter.

Commerce. to consign or entrust to the care of another, as agent or factor.

to direct the energy or efforts of (usually followed by to): He addressed himself to the task.

to direct (data) to a specified location in an electronic computer.

Golf. to take a stance and place the head of the club behind (the ball) preparatory to hitting it.

Obsolete. to woo; court.

Archaic. to give direction to; aim.

Obsolete. to prepare.

verb (used without object), ad·dressed or ad·drest, ad·dress·ing. Obsolete.

to make an appeal.

to make preparations.

Origin of address

1300–50; Middle English adressen to adorn < Middle French adresser. See a-⁵, dress

Related formsad·dress·er, ad·dres·sor, nounhalf-ad·dressed, adjectivepre·ad·dress, noun, verb (used with object)re·ad·dress, verb (used with object), re·ad·dressed, re·ad·dress·ing.un·ad·dressed, adjectivewell-ad·dressed, adjective

Synonyms for address

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR address ON THESAURUS.COM

1. discourse, lecture. See speech. 5. adroitness, cleverness, ingenuity, tact.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for address

home, number, location, lecture, talk, sermon, forward, send, call, discuss, try, give, abode, direction, dwelling, house, domicile, headquarters, whereabouts, street

Examples from the Web for address

Contemporary Examples of address

Many of those who have become cops in New York seem to have ceased to address such minor offenses over the past few days.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown
Michael Daly
January 7, 2015
Left and right think the way to address racial strife is through policy.
No Gods, No Cops, No Masters
James Poulos
January 1, 2015
He noted in his address that both his mother and his father are retired NYPD detectives.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation
Michael Daly
December 30, 2014
The Graham report goes on to address the situation more than three centuries later.
The Luxury Homes That Torture and Your Tax Dollars Built
Michael Daly
December 12, 2014
But this student also resists the idea that fraternities have a special responsibility to address sexual assault on campus.
Fraternities in a Post-UVA World
Samantha Allen
December 12, 2014

Historical Examples of address

Billy, go up to the address he gives you, and get some of these se-gars.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
"This is my address," said the merchant, writing it in pencil, and handing it to Robert.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
Mr. Randell, the Chairman of the Perth Municipality, read an address of welcome.
Explorations in Australia
John Forrest
The address to the crowd at the Capitol was broadcast on a loudspeaker.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
You may say, that I will do every thing they would have me do, if they will free me from Mr. Solmes's address.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for address

address

noun

the conventional form by which the location of a building is described

the written form of this, as on a letter or parcel, preceded by the name of the person or organization for whom it is intended

the place at which someone lives

a speech or written communication, esp one of a formal nature

skilfulness or tact

archaic manner or style of speaking or conversation

computing a number giving the location of a piece of stored informationSee also direct access

British government a statement of the opinions or wishes of either or both Houses of Parliament that is sent to the sovereign

the alignment or position of a part, component, etc, that permits correct assembly or fitting

(usually plural) expressions of affection made by a man in courting a woman

verb -dresses, -dressing or -dressed or obsolete, or poetic -drest (tr)

to mark (a letter, parcel, etc) with an address

to speak to, refer to in speaking, or deliver a speech to

(used reflexively; foll by to)

to speak or write tohe addressed himself to the chairman
to apply oneself tohe addressed himself to the task

to direct (a message, warning, etc) to the attention of

to consign or entrust (a ship or a ship's cargo) to a factor, merchant, etc

to adopt a position facing (the ball in golf, a partner in a dance, the target in archery, etc)

to treat of; deal withchapter 10 addresses the problem of transitivity

an archaic word for woo

Derived Formsaddresser or addressor, noun

Word Origin for address

C14: (in the sense: to make right, adorn) and c15 (in the modern sense: to direct words): via Old French from Vulgar Latin addrictiāre (unattested) to make straight, direct oneself towards, from Latin ad- to + dīrectus direct

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

Word Origin and History for address

early 14c., "to guide or direct," from Old French adrecier "go straight toward; straighten, set right; point, direct" (13c.), from Vulgar Latin *addirectiare "make straight," from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + *directiare, from Latin directus "straight, direct" (see direct (v.)). Late 14c. as "to set in order, repair, correct." Meaning "to write as a destination on a written message" is from mid-15c. Meaning "to direct spoken words (to someone)" is from late 15c. Related: Addressed; addressing.

1530s, "dutiful or courteous approach," from address (v.) and from French adresse. Sense of "formal speech" is from 1751. Sense of "superscription of a letter" is from 1712 and led to the meaning "place of residence" (1888).