# adding

/ˈædɪŋ/ (US) · /ˈædɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adding
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. putting things together

verb · CEFR A1

putting two or more things together to increase the size, number, or amount.

For teachers: the process of joining or uniting something to something else so as to increase the size, number, or importance.

- Adding a little salt to the soup makes it taste much better.
- Adding the final chapter to the manuscript provided the closure that the narrative had previously lacked.

Usage: often used with the preposition 'to'

### 2. calculating a total

verb · CEFR A1

calculating the total of two or more numbers.

For teachers: performing the mathematical operation of addition to find a sum.

- She is still learning about adding and subtracting in her math class.
- Adding up the monthly expenses revealed a significant discrepancy between the projected budget and the actual expenditure.

Usage: often followed by 'up'

### 3. the act of addition

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the action of putting something extra into a group or a mix.

For teachers: the act or instance of performing an addition.

- The adding of new members to the club happens every January.
- The constant adding of new regulations has made it difficult for small businesses to remain compliant without hiring legal counsel.

## Examples

- She is adding some salt to the soup.
- The chef is adding fresh herbs to the sauce to improve the flavor before serving.
- By adding several new clauses to the contract, the legal team ensured that all potential liabilities were covered before the final signing ceremony.

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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.