Add — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb abbreviation /ˈad/

Meaning & Definition of Add

Add (verb)

  1. to join or unite so as to bring about an increase or improvement
  2. to say further, append
  3. to combine (numbers) into an equivalent simple quantity or number

Add (abbreviation)

  1. American Dialect Dictionary
  2. attention deficit disorder

Add (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to join (something) to a mass, quantity, or number so as to bring about an overall increase

    "the band recently added a saxophonist and a keyboard player to its ranks"

    "add another cup of flour to the mixture"

    similar: adjoin, annex, append, subjoin, tack (on)
    related: affix, attach, fasten, fix, graft, hitch, tag, tie, infuse, inject, insert, interfuse, introduce, aggrandize, amplify, augment, beef (up), boost, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, increase, multiply, raise, swell (up), elongate, lengthen, prolong, protract, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, complement, supplement, supply, enforce, reinforce, strengthen, maximize
    opposite: abate, bate, deduct, knock off, remove, subtract, take off
    near: detach, disconnect, disjoin, separate, unfasten, amputate, cut, excise, lop (off), sever, contract, decrease, diminish, lessen, lower, reduce, abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, cut back, retrench

  2. to combine (numbers) into a single sum

    "when she added all the phone charges herself, she discovered an error in her bill"

    similar: cast (up), foot (up), sum, summate, tot (up), total, totalize, tote (up), put together
    related: calculate, cipher, compute, figure, reckon, table, tabulate, tally, work out, count, enumerate, number, tell, recompute, refigure

Related Entry: Add (to) (verb)

Add (to) is a different word from Add. The synonyms below are for add (to), not for add.

  1. to make greater in size, amount, or number

    "the need to be back home before 5:00 p.m. adds to the difficulty of arranging the trip"

    similar: accelerate, aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, increase, multiply, pump up, raise, stoke, supersize, swell, up
    related: boom, jump, skyrocket, spike, bump (up), ratchet (up), blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch, develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, complement, supplement, beef (up), reinforce, strengthen, maximize, accumulate, amass, collect, follow up, parlay
    opposite: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)
    near: abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, contract, cut back, retrench

Related Entry: Add-on (noun)

Add-on is a different word from Add. The synonyms below are for add-on, not for add.

  1. something that is not necessary in itself but adds to the convenience or performance of the main piece of equipment

    "a blow-dryer that comes with a couple of add-ons for people who are serious about styling their hair"

    similar: accessory, accoutrement, adapter, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment, option
    related: accompaniment, additive, complement, supplement, auxiliary, subsidiary, amenity, doodad, embroidery, extra, filler, frill, incidental, luxury, nonessential, nonnecessity, appurtenances, bells and whistles, equipment, furnishings, habiliment(s), paraphernalia, trappings, adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, garnish, ornament, trim, trimming
    near: essential, necessity, requirement, requisite

Related Entry: Add up (to) (verb)

Add up (to) is a different word from Add. The synonyms below are for add up (to), not for add.

  1. to be the same in meaning or effect

    "whether we take the 4:00 train or the 4:15 bus, it adds up to the same thing: they both get us back too late"

    similar: amount (to), come (to), correspond (to), emulate, equal
    related: approach, match, measure (up), meet, rival, touch, connote, denote, express, import, mean, signify, smack (of), spell, suggest

  2. to have a total of

    "even if we pool all our money, it won't add up to enough to rent a beach house for a week"

    similar: aggregate, amount (to), come (to), count (up to), number, sum (to or into), total, clock in at
    related: average, equal, measure, reach, compose, comprise, constitute, make up

Related Entry: Add (up) (verb)

Add (up) is a different word from Add. The synonyms below are for add (up), not for add.

  1. as in total, tally

    similar: tally, total, count, enumerate, number, tell, calculate, compute, reckon, table, tabulate, check, mark, tick (off), recount

Related Entry: Add-ons (noun)

Add-ons is a different word from Add. The synonyms below are for add-ons, not for add.

  1. something that is not necessary in itself but adds to the convenience or performance of the main piece of equipment

    "a blow-dryer that comes with a couple of add-ons for people who are serious about styling their hair"

    similar: accessories, accoutrements, adapters, adjuncts, appendages, appliances, attachments, options
    related: accompaniments, additives, complements, supplements, auxiliaries, subsidiaries, amenities, doodads, embroideries, extras, fillers, frills, incidentals, luxuries, nonessentials, nonnecessities, appurtenances, bells and whistles, equipments, furnishings, habiliments, paraphernalia, trappings, adornments, decorations, embellishments, enhancements, garnishes, ornaments, trimmings, trims
    near: essentials, necessities, requirements, requisites

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Add

The most common words with a similar meaning to Add:

adjoin, annex, append, subjoin, tack (on), cast (up), foot (up), sum, summate, tot (up), total, totalize, tote (up), put together

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Add

Words with the opposite meaning of Add:

abate, bate, deduct, knock off, remove, subtract, take off

Related Words for Add

affix, attach, fasten, fix, graft, hitch, tag, tie, infuse, inject, insert, interfuse, introduce, aggrandize, amplify, augment, beef (up), boost, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, increase, multiply, raise, swell (up), elongate, lengthen, prolong

Near Antonyms of Add

detach, disconnect, disjoin, separate, unfasten, amputate, cut, excise, lop (off), sever, contract, decrease, diminish, lessen, lower, reduce, abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, cut back, retrench

Word Forms of Add

Inflections: added, adding, adds

Derived words: addable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Add

Middle English adden, borrowed from Anglo-French adder, borrowed from Latin addere, from ad- ad- + -dere "to put, place," going back to a reduced ablaut grade of Indo-European *dheh1- do:1

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Add

Words & Phrases Containing Add

add-in, add-on, add up, add insult to injury, add to, add to this/that, add up to much

Frequently Asked Questions about Add

What does "Add" mean?

"Add" means to join or unite so as to bring about an increase or improvement. As an a verb and an abbreviation, it is defined as: to join or unite so as to bring about an increase or improvement. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Add"?

Other words for "Add" include adjoin, annex, append, subjoin, tack (on), cast (up), foot (up) and sum. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Add" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Add"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Add". Common alternatives include adjoin, annex, append, subjoin, tack (on), cast (up), foot (up), sum, summate and tot (up).

What is the opposite of "Add"?

Antonyms of "Add" include abate, bate, deduct, knock off, remove, subtract and take off. Near antonyms include detach, disconnect, disjoin and separate.

How do you use "Add" in a sentence?

Examples of "Add" in a sentence: "the band recently added a saxophonist and a keyboard player to its ranks"; "add another cup of flour to the mixture"; "when she added all the phone charges herself, she discovered an error in her bill".

Is "Add" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Add" can be used as a verb and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

Is "Add" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Add" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Add"?

"Add" is pronounced /ˈad/.