address
gb/ˈædɹˌɛs/ us/ˈædɹˌɛs/
A1
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
Details of a place's location
The name, number, and other details that tell where a place is.
Usage pattern:
[someone's] address
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'address' (place details) with 'dress' (clothing).
Synonyms
location (General term for where something is; less precise than 'address'.)
Antonyms
unknown location (Indicates that the place is not identified.)
Collocations
home address
|email address
|postal address
|change of address
|return address
Themes
daily life
|communication
|travel
|daily_life
Examples
- Please write your address at the top of the form.
- I moved last month, so I have a new address.
- The package was returned because the address was incorrect.
- She asked for my email address to send me the files.
Learner examples
- This is my home address.
- I need your address to send the letter.
- He wrote his address on the paper.
Verb
B1
action
2
Speak to someone directly or formally
To speak to a person or group, often in a formal way.
Usage pattern:
to address [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with writing someone's address; context clarifies meaning.
Synonyms
speak to (More general; may be informal or formal.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not speak to or acknowledge someone.)
Collocations
address an audience
|address a crowd
|address the nation
|address the meeting
Themes
communication
|public speaking
|education
Examples
- The president will address the nation tonight.
- She addressed her comments to the entire team.
- He addressed the audience with confidence.
Learner examples
- The teacher addressed the students.
- The mayor will address the people.
- He addressed his boss politely.
Verb
B2
action
3
Deal with a problem or need
To try to fix or improve a problem or situation.
Usage pattern:
to address [a problem/issue/concern]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'address' here with mailing addresses; remember this is about dealing with issues.
Synonyms
tackle (Slightly more informal; suggests active effort.)
Antonyms
neglect (To fail to deal with a problem.)
Collocations
address an issue
|address a concern
|address a problem
|address a challenge
Themes
problem solving
|business
|daily_life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We need to address these safety concerns immediately.
- The company is addressing the issue of employee turnover.
- She addressed the problem by hiring more staff.
Learner examples
- We must address this problem now.
- They are addressing the issue of pollution.
- He addressed her concerns quickly.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
4
Formal speech or talk
A formal talk given to people.
Synonyms
speech (More general; can be formal or informal.)
Antonyms
silence (The absence of speech.)
Collocations
deliver an address
|keynote address
|opening address
Themes
public speaking
|communication
|education
Examples
- The principal gave an inspiring address at graduation.
- Her keynote address was well received by the audience.
- He delivered an address on climate change.
Learner examples
- The president gave an address.
- He made an address to the people.
- She gave an opening address at the event.
Verb
technical
A2
action
5
Write location info on mail/package
To write where something should be sent on it.
Usage pattern:
to address [an envelope/a package] to [someone]
Synonyms
label (More general for marking something; not only for destinations.)
Antonyms
leave blank (To not write any destination details.)
Collocations
address an envelope
|address a letter
Themes
daily life
|communication
|daily_life
Examples
- Please address the envelope before mailing it.
- She addressed the package to her cousin in Canada.
- Make sure you address it clearly so it arrives safely.
Learner examples
- I will address the letter now.
- She addressed the envelope to her friend.
- He addressed the box before sending it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
address
IPA
GB/ˈædɹˌɛs/
US/ˈædɹˌɛs/
Syllables & stress
ad - dress (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ad)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: address
- Plural: address, addresses
Verb
- Base: address
- 3rd Person Singular: addresses
- Present Participle: addressing
- Past: addressed
Word family
Forms
addresses
noun
addressing
verb
addressed
verb
Related words
addressee
noun C1
Advanced or less common
addressable
adjective
Expressions
address a problem
1/ədɹˈɛs ə pɹˈɑbləm/
fixed phrase
Deal with a specific problem
To try to fix a certain problem.
Examples
- We must address this problem before it gets worse.
- The manager addressed the problem by hiring more staff.
address someone as [title/name]
1/ˈædɹˌɛs sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈæz tˈɪtəlnəm/
fixed phrase
Call someone by title or name in speech
To use a title or name when speaking directly to someone.
Examples
- You should address the judge as 'Your Honor'.
- She addressed him as 'Doctor' even though they were friends.
form of address
1/fˈɔɹm əv ˈædɹˌɛs/
fixed phrase
Word/title used when speaking to someone directly
A word or title you use when talking to someone directly.
Examples
- 'Sir' is a polite form of address in English.
- Different cultures have different forms of address.