plus sign: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Technical
Quick answer
What does “plus sign” mean?
The symbol '+', primarily used to indicate addition in mathematics.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The symbol '+', primarily used to indicate addition in mathematics.
A symbol indicating positivity, inclusion, an advantage, or a value above a baseline (e.g., a temperature of +5°C); also used informally to mean "and" (e.g., skills plus sign experience).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; usage is identical across regions. The word 'sign' may be slightly more clipped in rapid American speech.
Connotations
Identical connotations of addition, positivity, or advantage.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties in mathematical, technical, and general contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “plus sign” in a Sentence
[Number] + plus sign + [Number]The plus sign indicates [concept]A plus sign is used for [function]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “plus sign” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You need to plus sign those two figures together.
- I'll plus sign the VAT onto the total.
American English
- Just plus sign the two numbers to get the sum.
- The system automatically plus signs the tax.
adjective
British English
- The plus-sign key is on the number pad.
- We observed a plus-sign effect in the data.
American English
- Look for the plus-sign icon to expand the menu.
- The plus-sign result was encouraging.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in finance and accounting to indicate gains or positive values (e.g., 'The figures showed a plus sign in Q3 revenue').
Academic
Ubiquitous in mathematical, scientific, and logical notation to denote addition or positivity.
Everyday
Common when discussing temperatures, simple calculations, or listing pros/cons (e.g., 'On the plus side, it's cheap').
Technical
Essential in programming, electrical engineering (positive terminal), medical classifications, and formal logic.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “plus sign”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “plus sign”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “plus sign”
- Writing 'plus sign' as one word ('plussign').
- Using 'plus' alone when the symbol itself is the topic (e.g., 'The plus is used for addition' – better: 'The plus sign...').
- Confusing the plus sign with a multiplication cross (×) in handwriting.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, frequently when discussing simple maths, temperatures above freezing, or listing advantages ('on the plus side').
It is + or the numeric code +.
Informally, especially in computing or casual speech (e.g., 'plus sign these values'), but it's non-standard. The standard verb is 'add'.
A plus sign (+) has equal-length arms and is a symbol of addition. A cross (✝, ×) often has religious connotations or denotes multiplication, and its arms may be proportioned differently.
The symbol '+', primarily used to indicate addition in mathematics.
Plus sign is usually neutral to technical in register.
Plus sign: in British English it is pronounced /ˈplʌs ˌsaɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈplʌs ˌsaɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a big plus”
- “on the plus side”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a Christian cross lying on its side; the horizontal line is the ground (the baseline number), and the vertical line adds something on top of it.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITIVE IS UP / ADDITION IS COMBINING / ADVANTAGE IS A SYMBOL OF GAIN.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would a 'plus sign' LEAST likely be used?