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

The Bruins could always add a high school player or two after the season to fill the holes created by the departures of Lazar Stefanovic and Kobe Johnson, the only players on their roster whose eligibility is about to expire.

From Los Angeles Times

Climate change, he added, “is just going to add to whatever pressures we already have.”

From Salon

Why belatedly add chapters to a seemingly long-finished story?

From Los Angeles Times

Clearing his throat, Danson chimes in, at once teasing and sincere: “What I heard was the 50-and-under takeaway. I would like to add for the older folks: Keep your foot on the gas pedal. Live! This is your life until it ain’t. Go for it.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Those small things, if you add them up in the cumulative effect ... that would add up to like a whole attitudinal change for me. People are going to give you more or offer many, many things to you. And I think when you become accustomed to all of that, that’s where greed follows.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boost
• continue
• include
• reply