additive

1 of 2

adjective

ad·​di·​tive ˈa-də-tiv How to pronounce additive (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by addition
an additive process
2
: produced by addition
3
: characterized by, being, or producing effects (such as drug responses or gene products) that when the causative factors act together are the sum of their individual effects
additively adverb
additivity noun

additive

2 of 2

noun

: a substance added to another in relatively small amounts to effect a desired change in properties
food additives

Examples of additive in a Sentence

Adjective certain drugs have additive effects when taken in conjunction with each other that one doesn't see when any one is used alone Noun a gasoline additive to reduce pollution
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Community's homages were always additive, so this goof on holiday TV is also an ecstatic Christmas episode in its own right. Chancellor Agard, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 In the coming months, the Neighborhood plans to welcome an additive manufacturer that specializes in mass-producing metal parts for the medical industry. Carolyn Schwaar, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Scientists who have studied thimerosal have found no evidence that the additive, used to prevent germ growth, causes harm, according to a CDC FAQ about thimerosal. Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2024 Menthol is a flavor additive with a minty taste and aroma that health experts say masks the harsh effects of smoking. Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2024 And compared to the current state-of-the-art electronics manufacturing, printing is an additive method. IEEE Spectrum, 10 Jan. 2024 In response, the additive industry petitioned the FDA to keep allowing the use of BVO, but at a lower limit of 15 ppm. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2023 The two requirements aren’t additive: To move faster with less firepower multiplies casualties. WSJ, 27 Dec. 2023 And if a year with three or four truly dangerous days is followed by one with 10 or 15, the effect on total area burned can be not additive but multiplicative, with relatively small changes to patterns of extreme weather yielding world-changing volumes of fire. David Wallace-Wells, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2023
Noun
While both ingredients are recognized as safe by the FDA, some may choose to avoid these food additives. Casey Seiden, Parents, 26 Feb. 2024 The fuel additive consumes roughly 40% of the nation's corn crop, so higher sales of ethanol could mean greater profits for corn farmers. By scott McFetridge, Quartz, 22 Feb. 2024 Our recent study compared fur fibers from beavers, otters, springbok, coyotes and more using a flow of water containing titanium dioxide, a common additive in cosmetics. Discover Magazine, 12 Jan. 2024 The cereal is coated with an additive with a surprisingly potent cooling effect. Wilder Davies, Bon Appétit, 15 Dec. 2023 Notably, among these additives is polyethylene glycol, a medication used for managing constipation, according to the National Institute of Health. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 Yet some of these chemical additives have been tied to maladies such as breast and prostate cancer, heart disease and diabetes, as well as problems with children’s brain development and adult fertility. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024 The products are formulated without fragrances or synthetic additives and use organic CBD to promote blood flow, relax muscles and ease tension, according to the brand. Michelle Vartan, wsj.com, 10 Jan. 2024 Last year, the European Commission prohibited microplastics additives in consumer products to reduce the amount that would inadvertently leach into the environment. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'additive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Late Latin additīvus, from Latin additus (past participle of addere "to add") + -īvus -ive

Noun

derivative of additive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of additive was in 1648

Dictionary Entries Near additive

Cite this Entry

“Additive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/additive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

additive

1 of 2 adjective
ad·​di·​tive ˈad-ət-iv How to pronounce additive (audio)
: relating to or produced by addition
additively adverb

additive

2 of 2 noun
: a substance added to another in small amounts to give or improve desirable qualities or decrease unwanted qualities
a gasoline additive
additives which color, flavor, or preserve food

Medical Definition

additive

1 of 2 adjective
ad·​di·​tive ˈad-ət-iv How to pronounce additive (audio)
: having or relating to a value or effect that is the sum of individual values or effects: as
a
: relating to the sum of the pharmacological responses produced by the concurrent administration of two or more drugs capable of producing the same kind of effect
b
: having a genetic effect that is the sum of the individual effects
additively adverb
additivity noun
plural additivities

additive

2 of 2 noun
: a substance added to another in relatively small amounts to effect a desired change in properties
especially : an agent added to a foodstuff to improve color, flavor, texture, or keeping qualities

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