annex
B2Formal
Definition
Meaning
To add or attach (a territory, document, or building) to something larger.
To take control or possession of something, often forcibly or without consent; a building added to or situated near a larger main building.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, the primary meaning is a subsidiary building; as a verb, it often carries connotations of acquisition, sometimes implying a lack of consent from the annexed party.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: Noun form 'annexe' is common in British English; 'annex' is standard in American English for both noun and verb. Pronunciation of the verb form may see more frequent use of /æˈneks/ in British English alongside /ˈænɛks/.
Connotations
In political/historical contexts (verb), both varieties share the same strong connotation of forceful takeover.
Frequency
The noun sense ('building') is more common in everyday British English (e.g., school annexe). The verb is more frequent in formal, legal, and historical contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] annex + [territory/building/document] (direct object)[Noun] annex + of/to + [main building]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To annex something lock, stock, and barrel”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to adding supporting documents to a contract or report: 'Please annex the quarterly figures to the proposal.'
Academic
Used in history/political science regarding territorial acquisition: 'The empire sought to annex the coastal regions.'
Everyday
Primarily refers to an extra building: 'The meeting will be held in the old library annex.'
Technical
In computing, can refer to attaching a file to an email or message.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The overflow class was held in the old annexe.
- Check the storage room in the annex.
American English
- The new lab will be built as an annex to the main science building.
- They converted the garage into a small office annex.
verb
British English
- The council voted to annex the neighbouring parish.
- He annexed a covering letter to his application.
American English
- The state moved to annex the unincorporated town.
- Be sure to annex the signed agreement to the email.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Our school has an annex across the street.
- The hotel annex has a swimming pool.
- They decided to annex the old cottage to their main house.
- Please find the details in the annex to this report.
- The historical treaty allowed the kingdom to annex the disputed islands.
- The museum's modern annex contrasts sharply with the original building.
- Critics accused the regime of plotting to annex the sovereign state by subterfuge.
- The legal annex, comprising hundreds of pages of evidence, proved crucial to the case.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of adding an 'EX'tra part to something. AN + NEX (next) = adding what's NEXT to it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADDITION IS ATTACHMENT / CONTROL IS POSSESSION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing the verb 'to annex' with 'to annex' in the sense of 'to rent' (арендовать). The noun 'annex' is not a 'пристройка' in all contexts; it implies a distinct supplementary unit.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'annex with' instead of 'annex to'.
- Confusing noun/verb pronunciation: using /ˈænɛks/ for the verb in formal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'annex' used CORRECTLY as a noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For the noun meaning a building, 'annex' is standard in American English, while 'annexe' is a common variant in British English. For the verb, 'annex' is used in both varieties.
No, but it often does in political contexts. In neutral contexts (documents, buildings), it simply means to add or attach.
Both mean to add. 'Annex' often suggests the added part is subsidiary or separate, while 'append' (common in computing) means to add to the end.
Typically with the stress on the second syllable: /əˈnɛks/. The noun is stressed on the first syllable: /ˈænɛks/. However, first-syllable stress for the verb is also heard.