add
gb/ˈæd/ us/ˈæd/
A1
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Join or put together
To put something with something else to make it bigger or more in number.
Usage pattern:
to add [something] to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'add' with 'increase'. 'Add' means putting something new in; 'increase' means making something larger, which can happen without adding new items.
Synonyms
include (Implies making something part of a whole, but may not suggest increasing size or quantity.)
|
append (More formal; often used for adding text or data at the end.)
Antonyms
remove (Means to take something away, the opposite of adding.)
Collocations
add sugar
|add water
|add value
|add information
|add detail
Themes
daily life
|math
|cooking
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please add milk to the mixture.
- They decided to add more seats to the theater.
- You can add your name to the list.
- She added a scarf to her outfit for warmth.
- Add the figures together to get the total.
Learner examples
- Add water to the pot.
- Please add my name to the list.
- We add sugar to tea.
- I will add more chairs.
- They add salt to the soup.
Verb
A1
action
2
Calculate a total by summing
To put two or more numbers together to find the total.
Usage pattern:
to add [number] and [number]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'add' in math with 'plus'. 'Plus' is a symbol or word between numbers; 'add' is the action.
Synonyms
sum (Refers to the result or act of adding numbers; more formal in verb use.)
Antonyms
subtract (Means to take one number away from another in mathematics.)
Collocations
add up numbers
|add fractions
|add columns
Themes
math
|education
|science
Examples
- If you add 5 and 7, you get 12.
- The teacher showed us how to add fractions.
- Add the numbers in each column and write the total.
- Can you add these figures for me?
- We learned how to add decimals today.
Learner examples
- Add 2 and 3 to get 5.
- We add numbers in math class.
- Please add 10 and 4.
- Can you add these two numbers?
- He adds 5 and 6.
Verb
B1
action
3
Say something extra
To say more information after what you already said.
Usage pattern:
to add that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'add' here with 'say'. 'Add' implies saying something extra, not starting from nothing.
Synonyms
remark (To say something as a comment; less about supplementing previous speech.)
|
state (More formal; simply means to say something clearly.)
Antonyms
withhold (Means not giving information that could have been shared.)
Collocations
add that
|add further details
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He added that he would be late for dinner.
- She added a few words about her childhood.
- The witness added that she saw a man running away.
- I should add that this offer ends tomorrow.
- He added, 'I will call you later.'
Learner examples
- He added that he was tired.
- She added that she liked cats.
- I added that I would help.
- They added that it was cold.
- We added that we wanted tea.
Verb
B1
action
4
Enhance or improve something
To make something better or stronger by giving more to it.
Usage pattern:
to add [quality/value] to [something]
Synonyms
enhance (Focuses on improving quality rather than quantity.)
Antonyms
detract (Means to reduce the quality, value, or effect.)
Collocations
add value
|add interest
|add charm
Themes
business
|art
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new curtains add warmth to the room.
- His humor added charm to the evening.
- This feature will add value to your home.
- Spices can add flavor to food.
- Her presence added energy to the team.
Learner examples
- The picture adds color to the wall.
- Salt adds taste to food.
- Music adds fun to the party.
- The lights add beauty to the garden.
- This book adds knowledge.
Grammar
Dictionary form
add
IPA
GB/ˈæd/
US/ˈæd/
Syllables & stress
add (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (add)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: add
- 3rd Person Singular: adds
- Present Participle: adding
- Past: added
Word family
Expressions
add up
1/ˈæd ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Calculate a total amount
To find the total by putting numbers together.
Examples
- Please add up all the expenses for the trip.
- She quickly added up the figures in her head.
add up to
1/ˈæd ˈʌp tə/
phrasal verb
Total a certain amount
To have a total amount equal to a number or value.
Examples
- The bills add up to $200 this month.
- His efforts added up to nothing in the end.
add fuel to the fire
1/ˈæd fjˈul tə ðə fˈaɪɚ/
idiom
Make a bad situation worse
To make a bad situation worse by doing or saying something.
Examples
- His rude comment only added fuel to the fire.
- Yelling at him will only add fuel to the fire.
- Canceling the meeting at the last minute added fuel to the fire.
- Her comments added fuel to the fire during the heated meeting.
add insult to injury
1/ˈæd ˈɪnsʌlt tə ˈɪnd͡ʒɚi/
idiom
Make someone feel worse after harm
To make a bad experience even worse for someone by saying or doing something unkind after it happened.
Examples
- Losing was bad enough, but being laughed at added insult to injury.
- Losing the game was bad enough, but being mocked afterwards added insult to injury.
- She was late and, to add insult to injury, forgot my birthday.
- She was late for the meeting and, to add insult to injury, forgot her notes.