address

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

noun

1. a speech or written statement, usually formal, directed to a particular group of persons:

   the president's address on the state of the economy.

   Synonyms: lecture, discourse

2. a direction as to the intended recipient, written on or attached to a piece of mail.
3. 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?

4. manner of speaking to persons; personal bearing in conversation.
5. skillful and expeditious management; ready skill; dispatch:

   to handle a matter with address.

   Synonyms: cleverness, adroitness, tact, ingenuity

6. Computers.
   1. a label, as an integer, symbol, or other set of characters, designating a location, register, etc., where information is stored in computer memory.
   2. a set of characters designating an email account:

      Her email address ends in “.net,” not “.com.”

   3. a set of characters designating the location of a website or a particular computer or other device on a network: URL

      He visits that website so often that its complete address comes up whenever he types its first letter into the address bar.

7. Government. a request to the executive by the legislature to remove a judge for unfitness.
8. Usually addresses. attentions paid by a suitor or lover; courtship.
9. Usually Address. the reply to the king's speech in the English Parliament.
10. Obsolete. preparation.

verb (used with object)

, ad·dressed, ad·dress·ing.

1. to direct a speech or written statement to:

   to address an assembly.

2. to use a specified form or title in speaking or writing to:

   Address the president as “Mr. President.”

3. to direct to the attention:

   He addressed his remarks to the lawyers in the audience.

4. to apply in speech (used reflexively, usually followed by to ):

   He addressed himself to the leader.

5. to deal with or discuss:

   to address the issues.

6. to put the directions for delivery on:

   to address a letter.

7. Commerce. to consign or entrust to the care of another, as agent or factor.
8. to direct the energy or efforts of (usually followed by to ):

   He addressed himself to the task.

9. Computers. to direct (data) to a specified memory location in a computer.
10. Golf. to take a stance and place the head of the club behind (the ball) preparatory to hitting it.
11. Obsolete. to woo; court.
12. Archaic. to give direction to; aim.
13. Obsolete. to prepare.

verb (used without object)

, Obsolete.

, ad·dressed or ad·drest, ad·dress·ing.

1. to make an appeal.
2. to make preparations.

address

/ əˈdrɛs /

noun

1. the conventional form by which the location of a building is described
2. 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
3. the place at which someone lives
4. a speech or written communication, esp one of a formal nature
5. skilfulness or tact
6. archaic.
   manner or style of speaking or conversation
7. computing a number giving the location of a piece of stored information See also direct access
8. government a statement of the opinions or wishes of either or both Houses of Parliament that is sent to the sovereign
9. the alignment or position of a part, component, etc, that permits correct assembly or fitting
10. usually plural expressions of affection made by a man in courting a woman

verb

1. to mark (a letter, parcel, etc) with an address
2. to speak to, refer to in speaking, or deliver a speech to
3. used reflexively; foll by to
   1. to speak or write to

      he addressed himself to the chairman

   2. to apply oneself to

      he addressed himself to the task

4. to direct (a message, warning, etc) to the attention of
5. to consign or entrust (a ship or a ship's cargo) to a factor, merchant, etc
6. to adopt a position facing (the ball in golf, a partner in a dance, the target in archery, etc)
7. to treat of; deal with

   chapter 10 addresses the problem of transitivity

8. an archaic word for woo

Derived Forms

• adˈdresser, noun

Other Words From

• ad·dress·er ad·dres·sor noun
• half-ad·dressed adjective
• pre·ad·dress noun verb (used with object)
• re·ad·dress verb (used with object) readdressed readdressing
• un·ad·dressed adjective
• well-ad·dressed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of address¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English adressen “to adorn,” from Middle French adresser; a- ⁵, dress

Word History and Origins

Origin of address¹

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

Synonym Study

See speech.

Example Sentences

This highly anticipated report is expected to address a litany of ethical issues.

From Slate

In a previous statement, Essex Police said officers “went to a residential address to arrange a time to do an interview with a woman about a complaint made by a member of the public”.

From BBC

In an unscheduled TV address, the Russian leader said the Oreshnik missile could not be intercepted and promised to carry out more tests, including in "combat conditions".

From BBC

In Friday's address Putin said the Oreshnik hypersonic missiles flew at 10 times the speed of sound and ordered them to be put into production.

From BBC

In his nightly address, Zelensky also criticised China for its response to Moscow's new missile after China's foreign ministry said all parties should "remain calm and exercise restraint".

From BBC

Related Words

• home
• location
• number
• ZIP code