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addition

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //əˈdɪʃən// UK //ɐdˈɪʃən// ad·di·tion General-service

n. something or someone that is added to a group or a place. It can also mean the act of putting numbers together to find a total.

n. the action or process of adding something to something else; a person or thing added to an existing group. In mathematics, the operation of calculating the sum of two or more numbers.


SIMPLE

The new baby is a wonderful addition to their family.

CONTEXTUAL

The architect suggested that a glass addition to the back of the house would provide more natural light.

COMPLEX

While the legal team argued that the new clause was a minor addition, the opposing counsel insisted it fundamentally altered the contract's original intent.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European *dʰéh₁tder. Proto-Italic *-ðō Latin -dō Latin addō Latin additiōder. Old French aditionder. Middle English addicioun English addition Sense of “what is added” dates from 14th century, from Middle English addicioun, addition, from Old French adition, from Latin additiōnem, accusative singular of additiō, from addō (“add, put”).

Usage

Countable when referring to a person or thing added; uncountable when referring to the mathematical process or the general concept of adding.

Pitfall

In addition of the cake, we bought ice cream.In addition to the cake, we bought ice cream.The fixed phrase 'in addition' requires the preposition 'to' when followed by a noun.

Idioms1 entry

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