add up

verb

added up; adding up; adds up

intransitive verb

1

a

: to come to the expected total

the bill doesn't add up

b

: to form an intelligible pattern : make sense

her story just doesn't add up

2

a

: amount sense 1b

—used with to

the play adds up to a lot of laughs

b

: to amount to a lot

just a little each time, but it all adds up

transitive verb

: to form an opinion of

added him up at a glance

Synonyms

• amount (to)
• come (to)
• correspond (to)
• emulate
• equal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

But all those things add up. —Mikey O'connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2023

These rash decisions often have expenses that add up, with either procrastination putting you behind or charges on a credit card setting you back. —Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2023

In the present, Weir and Hailey's tenuous relationship begins to thaw—but does her story add up? —Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 2 Apr. 2023

Not much, but small increments do add up. —Treehugger Editors, Treehugger, 31 Mar. 2023

Those calculations will add up, especially if multiple objects become involved. —Charles Platt, WIRED, 30 Mar. 2023

But buying all those cards can add up. —Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 29 Mar. 2023

There is no singular path to equity, but small steps forward add up, and the workplace can be a springboard for greater progress beyond it. —Liz Elting, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023

Something doesn’t add up. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Kids Definition

add up

verb

1

a

: to come to a total and especially the expected total

b

: to make sense

her story just doesn't add up

2

: to amount to a lot

just a little each time, but it all adds up