English Reference

Word

add

US/ˈæd/

UK/ˈæd/

Definitions

01to join or combine

A1 · Beginner

v. to put something extra with another thing to make it bigger or better.

v. to join or unite one thing to another to increase the size, number, or quality of the whole.

“You should add a little salt to the soup to improve the flavour.”

“The architect decided to add a glass conservatory to the rear of the building, significantly increasing the amount of natural light in the living area.”

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'to'.

Antonyms

02mathematics

A1 · Beginner Mathematics

v. to put numbers together to find the total amount.

v. to perform the arithmetical operation of addition to find a sum.

“If you add five and five, you get ten.”

“The accountant had to add the quarterly expenses manually after the software failed to sync with the bank records.”

Usage

Commonly used with 'and' or 'to'.

Antonyms

03to say more

B1 · Intermediate

v. to say or write something extra after you have already said something.

v. to say or write something further as a supplement to what has already been stated.

“"I'll be home late," he said, then added, "don't wait up for me."”

“The CEO concluded her speech but then added a brief comment regarding the upcoming merger to satisfy the shareholders' concerns.”

Synonyms

04social media

A2 · Elementary Computing Informal

v. to include someone in your list of friends on a social media app.

v. to request or include a person as a contact or friend on a digital platform.

“I'll add you on Instagram so I can send you the photos from the party.”

“After meeting at the conference, several delegates added each other on professional networking sites to maintain contact.”

Usage

Usually takes a direct object representing a person.

Synonyms

Antonyms

removeunfriendblock

05extra enemy in games

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Computing Slang

n. an extra enemy that joins a fight in a video game.

n. an additional non-player character that enters a combat encounter after the primary target has been engaged.

“The boss was easy, but the adds kept attacking our healer.”

“The raid leader instructed the damage dealers to focus on the adds before returning their attention to the main boss.”

Teaching tip

This is specific to gaming culture; outside of this context, 'add' is rarely used as a countable noun for people or things.

Antonyms

06medical condition

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Medicine Technical

n. a condition that makes it hard for someone to focus or pay attention.

n. an abbreviation for attention deficit disorder, a neurodevelopmental condition affecting concentration.

“He found it hard to sit still in class because of his ADD.”

“Recent clinical studies suggest that adults diagnosed with ADD often develop unique coping mechanisms to manage their daily schedules.”

Usage

Usually written in capital letters as an acronym.

Synonyms

ADHD

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “add” in context.

01. add complexity 02. add component 03. add dimension 04. add element 05. greatly add

Real-World Examples

“At least 111 substances of unknown safety have been added to foods, drinks and supplements sold in the United States without alerting the US Food and Drug”
CNN 3 Mar 2026
“The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which President Donald Trump filled with allies during a broad takeover earlier this year, decided on Thursday to add Trump's name to the institution, horrifying Democrats and raising questions about the legality of the change.”
Reuters 18 Dec 2025
“But the disputed commercial will continue to air this weekend as the Toronto Blue Jays play in the first two games of the World Series, he added.”
Reuters 25 Oct 2025
“The U.S. Defense Department said on Monday it has added Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings (0700.HK), opens new tab and battery maker CATL (300750.SZ), opens new tab to a list of companies it says work with China's military, in a move set to escalate U.S.-China tensions.”
Reuters 7 Jan 2025

Etymology

From Middle English adden, from Latin addō (“add, give unto”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

VERB

add(A1)

Related words

Idioms

Domains

InternetMathematics

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Very common
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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English Reference