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

/ 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

²

abbreviation for

1. attention deficit disorder

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

But the conversation takes a turn for the worst when the girlfriend reveals that she took her boyfriend to her family doctor to get an ADD diagnosis.

From Salon

"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

The Adderall the doctor prescribed for my potential ADD turned me into a speed freak for 24 hours, proving I didn't have attention-deficit disorder.

From Salon

I know people who take ADD medication just to write, which is a nice fun side effect for me because I'm now on it and I was writing.

From Salon

One of the biggest effects was seen in mental health, where positive affect was associated with a lower likelihood of ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression, and stress.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• boost
• continue
• include
• reply