Meaning & use
addition
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Meanings
noununcountable
The mathematical operation of combining numbers to find their sum.
Grammar: Names the operation itself; specific items added are countable in other senses.
Patterns
- do addition
- addition of A and B
- learn addition
The children practice addition with blocks.
In addition, the order of the addends does not change the sum.
She checked the addition with a calculator.
noununcountable
The process of joining something to something else, or the state of being joined.
Grammar: Often followed by of or to: the addition of salt, in addition to milk.
Patterns
- in addition to something
- the addition of something
- with the addition of
With the addition of more chairs, everyone had a seat.
In addition to English, she speaks Portuguese.
The sauce improved with the addition of lemon.
nouncountable
A person or thing that is added to a group, building, or collection.
Grammar: Has a plural; often followed by to: a welcome addition to the team.
Patterns
- addition to the family/team
- new addition
- welcome addition
The baby is the newest addition to the family.
A second bathroom was a useful addition to the apartment.
The singer is a strong addition to the cast.
Word forms
| plural | additions |
|---|
Common combinations
- in addition
- In addition, the bus was late.
- in addition to
- In addition to soup, we served bread.
- basic addition
- The quiz tests basic addition and subtraction.
- new addition
- The puppy is the family's new addition.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sum
- Sum is the result of adding, not the operation or something added.
- supplement
- Supplement is something extra added, often to complete or improve.
- extension
- Extension fits an added part of a building or system, not arithmetic.
Opposites
Word family
- add verb
- to combine numbers or include something extra
- additional adjective
- extra or added
- additionally adverb
- used to add a further point
- addend noun
- a number added to another
Commonly confused: addition or edition?
addition vs edition
Edition is a version of a publication; addition is adding or something added. They sound alike in many accents.
Practice
Complete the phrase: We hired two editors _____.
Choose one answer.
In addition to means as well as. Addiction is compulsion, edition is a version, and adaptive means able to adjust.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “addition”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.