Word
adder
US/ˈædɝ/
UK/ˈædɐ/
Definitions
01a snake
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English
n. a small poisonous snake, often with a dark zigzag pattern on its back.
n. the common European viper (Vipera berus), noted for being the only venomous snake native to Britain.
Español:víbora
“We saw a small adder sunning itself on a rock during our hike.”
“The adder is generally shy and will only strike if it feels cornered or is accidentally stepped on by a hiker.”
Usage
In North America, the term is sometimes applied to other non-venomous snakes like the milk snake.
Synonyms
02math/computing
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Computing Technical
n. a person who adds numbers, or a machine or computer part that does addition.
n. a person who performs arithmetic addition, or a digital circuit that calculates the sum of numbers.
“The computer uses a high-speed adder to process the math problems.”
“A full adder is a fundamental component of a central processing unit, capable of handling carry bits from previous operations.”
Synonyms
03person with ADD
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Informal · Slang
n. a person who has attention deficit disorder (ADD).
n. a person diagnosed with or exhibiting symptoms of attention deficit disorder.
“As an adder, he finds it helpful to use a timer to stay focused on his work.”
“The support group provides a space for adders to share strategies for managing executive dysfunction in a professional environment.”
Teaching tip
This is a niche slang term derived from the acronym ADD; it is not a standard medical term and may be confusing to those unfamiliar with neurodiversity slang.
Real-World Examples
“There is no organic matter left."
He added: "Things like the snakes, adders, reptiles, they can not escape, so they will be destroyed.” “I saw pictures of dead adders along with cracked and burnt eggs belonging to ground-nesting birds.” Etymology
From Middle English nadder, addere, rebracketing of “a naddere” as “an addere”, from Old English nǣdre (“snake”), from Proto-West Germanic nadrā, from Proto-Germanic nadrǭ, from pre-Germanic néh₁treh₂, variant of Proto-Indo-European n̥h₁trih₂, from *(s)neh₁- (“to spin, twist”). See also West Frisian njirre, Dutch adder, German Natter, Otter; also Welsh neidr, Latin natrīx (“watersnake”), Dutch naaien.
From add + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/adder
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0