add

1 of 2

verb

ˈad 

added; adding; adds

transitive verb

1

: to join or unite so as to bring about an increase or improvement

adds 60 acres to his land

wine adds a creative touch to cooking

2

: to say further : append

Do you have anything else to add to the discussion?

3

: to combine (numbers) into an equivalent simple quantity or number

4

: to include as a member of a group

Don't forget to add me in.

intransitive verb

1

a

: to perform addition

b

: to come together or unite by addition

The facts added together to support his theory.

2

a

: to serve as an addition

The movie will add to his fame.

b

: to make an addition

added to her savings

addable adjective

or addible

ˈa-də-bəl 

ADD

2 of 2

abbreviation

1

American Dialect Dictionary

2

attention deficit disorder

Synonyms of add

Verb

• attach
• introduce
• insert
• affix
• expand
• append
• annex
• augment

Examples of add in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Add one cup of sugar to the mixture.

Next, add the remaining butter to the pan.

In this dish, fresh herbs add lots of color and flavor.

We can help you add excitement to your vacation.

The historical details add depth to his story.

She adds a certain amount of experience and authority to the project.

When you add three and seven, you get ten.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

That leaves strands noticeably fresher and fuller, adding more movement without the heavy feel and buildup that can accompany silicones. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026

Instead of raking and bagging leaves, mow over the leaves to add nutrients and organic matter back to the lawn. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026

While college sports’ powerbrokers have been fighting the once-absurd idea of schools adding players from NFL camps, one coach has been the most visible in looking for a loophole on the other side. — Matt Baker, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The two survivors – Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan – were found inside a cable tunnel, added Dix. — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English adden, borrowed from Anglo-French adder, borrowed from Latin addere, from ad- ad- + -dere "to put, place," going back to a reduced ablaut grade of Indo-European *d^heh₁- — more at do entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing add

• add-in
• add insult to injury
• add-on
• add to
• add to this/that
• add up
• add up to much
• hasten to add/say/explain (etc.)
• I might add

Rhymes for add

• ad
• bad
• brad
• cad
• clad
• dad
• fad
• gad
• glad
• grad
• had
• lad

Kids Definition

add

verb

ˈad 

1

a

: to join or unite to a thing so as to increase or improve it

add a wing to the house

color adds a creative touch

b

: to unite or combine in a single whole

c

: to include as a member of a group

add me in

2

: to say something more

add to her remarks

3

: to combine (numbers) into a single number that has the same total value

addable adjective

or addible

ˈad-ə-bəl 

Medical Definition

add

1 of 2 abbreviation

adduction; adductor

ADD

2 of 2 abbreviation

attention deficit disorder