# add

/ˈæd/ (US) · /ˈæd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/add
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Senses

### 1. to join or combine

verb · CEFR A1

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

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. mathematics

verb · CEFR A1

to put numbers together to find the total amount.

For teachers: 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'.

### 3. to say more

verb · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. social media

verb · CEFR A2 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. extra enemy in games

noun · CEFR B2 · Slang

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

For teachers: 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.

### 6. medical condition

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- If you add two and two, you get four.
- Please add your name to the list if you want to join the trip tomorrow.
- The chef suggests that you add the salt only at the very end of the process to ensure the vegetables retain their natural moisture and texture.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.