add Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
    attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; minimal brain dysfunction; MBD; attention deficit disorder; minimal brain damage; hyperkinetic syndrome; ADHD.
  2. verb make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
    • We added two students to that dorm room
    • She added a personal note to her letter
    • Add insult to injury
    • Add some extra plates to the dinner table
  3. verb state or say further
    append; supply.
    • `It doesn't matter,' he supplied
  4. verb bestow a quality on
    lend; contribute; bring; bestow; impart.
    • Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company
    • The music added a lot to the play
    • She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings
    • This adds a light note to the program
  5. verb make an addition by combining numbers
    add together.
    • Add 27 and 49, please!
  6. verb determine the sum of
    tot up; add up; sum; tally; tote up; tot; summate; total; sum up; add together.
    • Add all the people in this town to those of the neighboring town
  7. verb constitute an addition
    • This paper will add to her reputation

WordNet

Add transitive verb
Etymology
L. addere; ad + dare to give, put. Cf. Date, Do.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Added; present participle & verbal noun Adding
Definitions
  1. To give by way of increased possession (to any one); to bestow (on).
    The Lord shall add to me another son. Gen. xxx. 24.
  2. To join or unite, as one thing to another, or as several particulars, so as to increase the number, augment the quantity, enlarge the magnitude, or so as to form into one aggregate. Hence: To sum up; to put together mentally; as, to add numbers; to add up a column.
    Back to thy punishment, False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings. Milton.
    As easily as he can add together the ideas of two days or two years. Locke.
  3. To append, as a statement; to say further.
    He added that he would willingly consent to the entire abolition of the tax. Macaulay.
    Syn. -- To Add, Join, Annex, Unite, Coalesce. We add by bringing things together so as to form a whole. We join by putting one thing to another in close or continuos connection. We annex by attaching some adjunct to a larger body. We unite by bringing things together so that their parts adhere or intermingle. Things coalesce by coming together or mingling so as to form one organization. To add quantities; to join houses; to annex territory; to unite kingdoms; to make parties coalesce.
Add intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make an addition. To add to, to augment; to increase; as, it adds to our anxiety. "I will add to your yoke." 1 Kings xii. 14.
  2. To perform the arithmetical operation of addition; as, he adds rapidly.

Webster 1913