addition
B1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
The process of adding something to something else; the act or process of joining two or more numbers or quantities together to find their total.
A person or thing that is added to something else, especially someone who joins a group or team and improves it; an extra part or extension added to a building.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. The core mathematical sense is concrete and countable (e.g., 'an addition'). The sense of 'something added' can be abstract (e.g., 'a welcome addition').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling of related words may differ (e.g., BrE 'maths' vs. AmE 'math').
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
addition of [something] to [something]addition to [something]in addition to [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in addition (to)”
- “be a welcome addition”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to new staff, products, services, or features that enhance a company's offerings (e.g., 'The new software is a valuable addition to our suite').
Academic
Used in mathematics and logic; also refers to new information, evidence, or contributors to a field (e.g., 'This study is an important addition to the literature').
Everyday
Commonly used for new family members, possessions, or features in a home (e.g., 'The baby is a wonderful addition to our family').
Technical
In computing, refers to a new module, function, or hardware component; in chemistry, a reaction where molecules combine.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A - 'addition' is not a verb.
American English
- N/A - 'addition' is not a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'addition' is not an adverb. The phrase 'in addition' functions adverbially.
American English
- N/A - 'addition' is not an adverb. The phrase 'in addition' functions adverbially.
adjective
British English
- N/A - 'addition' is not an adjective. The related adjective is 'additional'.
American English
- N/A - 'addition' is not an adjective. The related adjective is 'additional'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My son is learning addition at school.
- We built an addition to our house.
- In addition to milk, we need to buy bread.
- The new player is a great addition to the team.
- The addition of a balcony has significantly increased the property's value.
- This clause is a recent addition to the contract.
- The discovery constitutes a major addition to our understanding of the period.
- The policy was implemented in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, the existing framework.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of ADD-ition: you ADD something. The word itself contains the core verb 'add'.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUILDING/BUILDING UP (adding parts to make a whole), ACQUISITION (gaining something new).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'прибавление' (which is more about increment) in non-mathematical contexts. 'Дополнение' is a closer general equivalent. The phrase 'in addition to' is not directly translatable as 'в добавок к'; better to use 'кроме того' or 'в дополнение к'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'addition' as a verb (correct verb is 'add'). Confusing 'in addition' (formal connector) with 'also' or 'and' in informal speech. Incorrect: 'I addition some sugar.' Correct: 'I added some sugar.' or 'In addition, I added some sugar.'
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a formal synonym for 'also' or 'as well as'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its core meaning is mathematical, it is widely used in everyday, business, and academic contexts to mean 'something that is added'.
'Addition' refers to the act of adding or something that is added. 'Edition' refers to a particular version or issue of a published text (e.g., the second edition of a book). They are false friends for some learners.
Use 'in addition' at the beginning of a sentence or clause to introduce extra information, followed by a comma. Use 'in addition to' as a preposition, followed by a noun or gerund (e.g., 'In addition to his salary, he gets a bonus').
Yes. You can have 'an addition' (a new room, a new team member) and 'several additions' (multiple new things or people).
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