Add Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

Add Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary The Britannica Dictionary mobile search Home Ask the Editor Word of the Day Quizzes Core Vocabulary Browse the Dictionary × Britannica Homepage Ask the Editor Word of the Day Quizzes Core Vocabulary Browse the Dictionary The Britannica Dictionary add 7 ENTRIES FOUND: add (verb) ADD (abbreviation) add–on (noun) value–added tax (noun) hasten (verb) injury (noun) insult (noun) add /ˈæd/ verb adds; added; adding add /ˈæd/ verb adds; added; adding Britannica Dictionary definition of ADD 1  [+ object] a  : to put (something) with another thing or group of things She's planning to add some new flowers to the garden. The company is adding over 200 jobs this year. This winter, he added skiing to his list of favorite sports. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b  : to mix or combine (an ingredient) with other ingredients Add (in) a little more salt and pepper. I added (in) just a dash/pinch of flour. Add one cup of sugar to the mixture. Next, add the remaining butter to the pan. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples c  : to include (something) with something else It took us four hours to get there, if you add (in) the time we stopped to eat. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2  [+ object] : to cause something to have (a usually good quality or characteristic) In this dish, fresh herbs add lots of color and flavor. As an employee, she will add [=bring] great value to your company. We can help you add excitement to your vacation. The historical details add depth/richness/weight to his story. She adds a certain amount of experience and authority to the project. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3  : to put (two or more numbers or amounts) together to find a total or sum [+ object] When you add three and/to seven, you get ten. Add these three numbers together. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples [no object] schoolchildren learning how to add [=to perform addition] and subtract [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — opposite subtract 4  [+ object] : to say or write (something more or extra) That's all I have to say. Do you have anything (else/more) to add? = Is there anything (else/more) you would like to add? “They all went to the bar,” he said. “But I didn't go with them,” he quickly added. He was quick to add that he didn't go with them. = He hastened to add that he didn't go with them. It was a long project and, I might add, an expensive one. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples add insult to injury — see 2insult add on [phrasal verb] add (something) on or add on (something) : to put (something) with another thing or group of things We're going to add on a new garage. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + to We're adding a new garage on to our house. They're adding $200 on to what we already have to pay. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ◊ The phrase add on to is also written as add onto. We're adding a new garage onto our house. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples add to [phrasal verb] add to (something) : to make (something) larger, better, or greater He bought another rare coin to add to his collection. Her research has greatly added to our knowledge of the subject. She's been able to add to her savings [=to save more money] this year. This movie will add to his fame. [=it will make him more famous] The loud music added to the confusion. [=it made the confusion greater] We hope this adds to your enjoyment of the play. The funny characters really add to the story. [=they make the story better] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ◊ Phrases like add to this/that and added to this/that are often used informally to introduce a statement about something that makes a thing or situation better, worse, more important, etc. We were given little time to finish. Add to this the fact that nobody helped us, and you can understand why we were angry. We were short of money. Added to that, we were lost! [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples add up [phrasal verb] 1  a  : to be added together and equal the expected or correct total — usually used in negative constructions The numbers just don't add up. [=they don't equal the expected total] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b  : to make sense : to seem to be logical or true They must be lying; their story just doesn't add up. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples c  : to slowly increase and become a large number or amount A cup of coffee may only cost a dollar, but those dollars add up quickly. I'm saving a little money each month. Eventually it'll add up. The hours that I spend traveling to work really add up. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2  add (something) up or add up (something) : to put together or count (the number or amount of something) to find the total Start by adding up how much money you have, and then add up your costs. Let's add up all of the money we saved. When you add it all up, he's spent over half of his life in jail. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3  add up to (something) a  : to have (a number) as a total The amount of money she spends on coffee adds up to $2.75 a day. That adds up to more than a thousand dollars a year. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b  : to produce (a specified result) These plans should add up to a very exciting vacation. With these three bands playing together, it all adds up to one of the year's best rock concerts. All of the team's hard work didn't add up to a win. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — added adjective The historical details provide added [=additional] depth/richness/weight to his story. added value an added attraction/advantage [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ASK THE EDITOR What is the difference between 'forest' and 'jungle'? See the answer » QUIZZES Vocabulary Quiz Test your word power Take the Quiz » Name That Thing Take our visual quiz Test Your Knowledge » WORD OF THE DAY overgrown : covered with plants that have grown in an uncontrolled way Learn More » About Us & Legal Info Contact Us Privacy Notice Terms of Use Pronunciation Symbols Help d="M0 12c0 5.123 3.211 9.497 7.73 11.218-.11-.937-.227-2.482.025-3.566.217-.932 1.401-5.938 1.401-5.938s-.357-.715-.357-1.774c0-1.66.962-2.9 2.161-2.9 1.02 0 1.512.765 1.512 1.682 0 1.025-.653 2.557-.99 3.978-.281 1.189.597 2.159 1.769 2.159 2.123 0 3.756-2.239 3.756-5.471 0-2.861-2.056-4.86-4.991-4.86-3.398 0-5.393 2.549-5.393 5.184 0 1.027.395 2.127.889 2.726a.36.36 0 0 1 .083.343c-.091.378-.293 1.189-.332 1.355-.053.218-.173.265-.4.159-1.492-.694-2.424-2.875-2.424-4.627 0-3.769 2.737-7.229 7.892-7.229 4.144 0 7.365 2.953 7.365 6.899 0 4.117-2.595 7.431-6.199 7.431-1.211 0-2.348-.63-2.738-1.373 0 0-.599 2.282-.744 2.84-.282 1.084-1.064 2.456-1.549 3.235C9.584 23.815 10.77 24 12 24c6.627 0 12-5.373 12-12S18.627 0 12 0 0 5.373 0 12"> © 2026 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.