Word
additive
Phoneticsad·di·tive, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈædətɪv/
UK/ˈædɪtˌɪv/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a substance added to food, medicine, or other products to improve them or change how they work.
n. a substance added to a mixture, food, or drug to provide a specific property, such as preservation or flavor.
Examples
“Salt is a common additive in processed foods.”
“The label lists several additives that help keep the yogurt fresh.”
“Regulatory bodies strictly monitor food additives to ensure they do not pose long-term health risks to consumers.”
Examples
simple
“Salt is a common additive in processed foods.”
contextual
“The label lists several additives that help keep the yogurt fresh.”
complex
“Regulatory bodies strictly monitor food additives to ensure they do not pose long-term health risks to consumers.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “additive” in context.
Adjective
01. additive effect
“The combination of these two chemicals produces a powerful additive effect on the product's shelf life.”
adj + noun
02. additive model
“Researchers used an additive model to calculate the total impact of various food preservatives.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“They then added an extremely small amount of chiral additive, less than 1% of the total material, to guide all the pinwheels to face the same direction.” “Researchers have now tested a different way to manufacture WC-Co cemented carbide using additive manufacturing (AM, also commonly known as 3D printing).” Etymology
From Late Latin additivus, from the participial stem of Latin addere (“to add”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domains
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/additive