add
- 01 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.
Simple“You should add a little salt to the soup to improve the flavour.”
In context“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.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'to'.
- 02 A1 Beginner
v.to put numbers together to find the total amount.
v.to perform the arithmetical operation of addition to find a sum.
Simple“If you add five and five, you get ten.”
In context“The accountant had to add the quarterly expenses manually after the software failed to sync with the bank records.”
UsageCommonly used with 'and' or 'to'.
- 03 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.
Simple“"I'll be home late," he said, then added, "don't wait up for me."”
In context“The CEO concluded her speech but then added a brief comment regarding the upcoming merger to satisfy the shareholders' concerns.”
- 04 A2 Elementary
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.
Simple“I'll add you on Instagram so I can send you the photos from the party.”
In context“After meeting at the conference, several delegates added each other on professional networking sites to maintain contact.”
UsageUsually takes a direct object representing a person.
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The boss was easy, but the adds kept attacking our healer.”
In context“The raid leader instructed the damage dealers to focus on the adds before returning their attention to the main boss.”
Teacher's tipThis is specific to gaming culture; outside of this context, 'add' is rarely used as a countable noun for people or things.
SynonymsAntonyms - 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“He found it hard to sit still in class because of his ADD.”
In context“Recent clinical studies suggest that adults diagnosed with ADD often develop unique coping mechanisms to manage their daily schedules.”
UsageUsually written in capital letters as an acronym.
SynonymsADHD
Usage added time · add to growing · add new