additive

1 of 2

adjective

ad·​di·​tive ˈa-də-tiv 

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

ˌa-də-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

additive

2 of 2

noun

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

food additives

Synonyms

Adjective

• cumulative

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

The brand does not advertise itself as being additive-free tequila in its marketing materials, something that admittedly more brands are hesitant to do because the CRT, Mexico’s tequila governing authority, has cracked down upon the practice. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025

Because even slight changes in processing (coating speed, temperature, additive mix) can change the outcome, the possible process recipes run into the millions. —Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025

Noun

Earlier, in another development, scientists in China unveiled a new electrolyte additive that could make EV lithium-metal batteries last 3,000 cycles. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025

Beneficial additives may include vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is added to some applesauce to replace nutrients lost in processing. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing additive

• additive identity
• additive inverse
• additive manufacturing

Kids Definition

additive

1 of 2 adjective

ad·​di·​tive ˈad-ət-iv 

: 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 

: 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

ˌad-ə-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

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