additive
substance added to a product
A substance that people add to food, fuel, or another product to keep it longer, change its color, or improve how it works.
an additive in [food/drink/product]
- This yogurt contains no artificial additives or preservatives.
- The company developed a new fuel additive that reduces engine wear.
- Some people are sensitive to certain food additives and may get headaches.
- The bright color comes from a natural plant-based additive.
- Regulations limit which additives can be used in baby food.
- I try to buy food without additives.
- This drink has many color additives.
- The car runs better with this fuel additive.
- The label lists all the additives in the product.
- Some additives keep food fresh for a long time.
with effects that simply add up
Used about effects or risks when each one just adds to the others, so the total is the simple sum, not more and not less.
an additive effect on [something]
- The two drugs have an additive effect, so the total response equals the sum of their individual effects.
- When combined, these chemicals show an additive risk rather than a synergistic one.
- The study assumes an additive model, where each factor contributes independently to the overall outcome.
- Noise from different machines is treated as having additive impacts on workers’ hearing.
- The researchers found that stress and lack of sleep had additive effects on performance errors.
- The doctor said the side effects of the two medicines are additive.
- In this model, each factor has an additive effect on the result.
- The risks from smoking and air pollution can be additive.
- The scientists saw an additive effect when they used both treatments together.
- We treated the small changes as additive changes.
relating to mathematical addition
Used in mathematics when something is about adding numbers or values, or when a rule or function works by addition.
an additive function on [a set]
- In this space, we define an additive group operation denoted by plus.
- The function is additive if f(x + y) = f(x) + f(y) for all x and y.
- Probability is not always an additive measure when events overlap.
- Zero is the additive identity in the set of real numbers.
- Every real number has an additive inverse, which is its negative.
- In math, we talk about the additive identity, which is zero.
- A function is additive if it turns sums into sums.
- The number −3 is the additive inverse of 3.
- This formula shows an additive rule for these values.
- They study the additive structure of the group.
- Base: additive
- Base: additive
- Plural: additives
additive effect
1total effect equals simple sum
A situation where two or more things together have a total effect that is just the sum of each one alone, not stronger and not weaker.
- The two medications have an additive effect on blood pressure.
- Researchers found an additive effect of stress and poor sleep on heart disease risk.
additive inverse
1number that gives zero when added
In math, the number you add to another number to get zero; for example, the additive inverse of 5 is −5.
- Every real number has an additive inverse.
- In this exercise, students must find the additive inverse of each fraction.
additive manufacturing
13D printing–style layered manufacturing
A way of making objects, often with 3D printers, where material is added in thin layers to build the final shape.
- Additive manufacturing is used to produce complex metal parts for airplanes.
- The company invested in additive manufacturing to make custom medical implants.
additive-free
1containing no additives
Used on food or drink labels to show that no extra chemicals, colors, or preservatives have been added.
- The juice is advertised as 100% natural and additive-free.
- Consumers are willing to pay more for additive-free products.
food additive
1substance added to processed food
A chemical or other substance that is added to food when it is made, to keep it fresh, change its color or taste, or improve how it looks.
- Many parents try to avoid food additives when buying snacks for their children.
- The government strictly controls which food additives are allowed in baby products.