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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Experts continue to tout warehouse robots as additive rather than replacements, but labor rights organizations and union organizers seem to have their doubts. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 25 Sep. 2025 This deal is also additive to AI infrastructure trade, including industrial names like GE Vernova , which makes gas turbines that power data centers, and Eaton , which provides electrical equipment inside data centers. Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
States are taking aim at chemicals and additives in foods in a bipartisan push. Claudia Boyd-Barrett, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025 Parents should be cautious about gummies that have artificial additives and tempt kids to eat them like candy, leading to the risk of overdose, Basiri says. Matt Fuchs, Time, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for additive

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

Cite this Entry

“Additive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/additive. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on additive

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