addresses

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The details of where someone lives or works, used for sending mail or finding a place.

   Grammar: Countable: use 'an address' for one and 'addresses' for more than one.

   Patterns

   • someone's address
   • a home address
   • write an address on something

   Please write both addresses clearly on the envelope.

   The school keeps a list of students' home addresses.

   I typed the two addresses into the map app.

2. 2nouncountableformal

   A formal speech given to an audience, especially on an important occasion.

   Grammar: Countable and fairly formal; often used with 'give' or 'deliver'.

   Patterns

   • give an address
   • a televised address
   • an address to someone

   The president gave a short address to the nation.

   Her graduation address was funny and moving.

3. 3nouncountablecomputing

   The letters and symbols that identify a place on the internet or in a computer system.

   Grammar: Countable; common in computing contexts such as email or websites.

   Patterns

   • an email address
   • a web address
   • a memory address

   Send the file to my work email address.

   Check that the web address is spelled correctly.

4. 4verbtransitiveformal

   To deal with a problem or question by thinking about it and taking action.

   Grammar: Takes an object: address an issue. Often used in formal writing and meetings.

   Patterns

   • address a problem
   • address an issue
   • address concerns

   The report addresses the main causes of the delay.

   We need to address these complaints before they grow.

5. 5verbtransitive

   To speak or write to someone using a particular name or title.

   Grammar: Takes an object; often followed by 'as': address someone as 'Doctor'.

   Patterns

   • address someone as something
   • be addressed as something

   You should address the judge as 'Your Honor'.

   She addressed the letter to her old teacher.

6. 6verbtransitive

   To write a name and location on a letter or package so it can be delivered.

   Grammar: Takes an object; usually passive when talking about mail.

   Patterns

   • address an envelope
   • address something to someone

   I addressed the envelope and put a stamp on it.

   The parcel was addressed to the wrong office.

Word forms

Common combinations

home address

Give your home address to the delivery driver.

email address

I'll send the details to your email address.

address a problem

The team met to address the problem quickly.

give an address

The mayor will give an address at noon.

address someone as something

In class, address the teacher as 'Mr. Lee'.

Synonyms and how they differ

speech

A general word for talking to an audience; 'address' is more formal and often shorter or ceremonial.

talk

More informal than 'address' and can be a lecture or discussion rather than a formal speech.

tackle

Close to 'address' when meaning deal with a problem, but 'tackle' suggests more direct, energetic action.

location

Refers to a place itself, while 'address' is the written details used to find it.

Word family

addressee noun

The person a letter or package is sent to.

addresser noun

The person who writes or sends something to someone else.

addressing noun

The act of writing addresses or of dealing with an issue.

Commonly confused: addresses or adress? addresses or adresses?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “addresses”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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