Addition is adding — the sum, or something added. Addiction is a compulsion to keep using a substance or repeating a behaviour despite harm. In addition to the fee; treatment for addiction. One letter, a world apart.
The core difference
- addition — the act of adding; the arithmetic operation; something added. Addition and subtraction, a welcome addition to the team, in addition.
- addiction — a strong, often harmful compulsion to keep using a substance or repeating a behaviour. Nicotine addiction, gambling addiction, addiction services.
The tell
Addiction has the extra c and contains dict, as in dictate — something that dictates to you. Addition is simply add with an ending. If you could swap in plus or extra, the word is addition; if the sentence is about dependence, it is addiction.
In use
- addition — In addition to the fee there is a deposit. Long addition was the first thing we learned.
- addiction — He spoke openly about his addiction. The clinic treats alcohol addiction.
Common slips
- in addiction to the fee → in addition to the fee
- a drug addition → a drug addiction
Addition adds; addiction dictates.
Where the words come from
Addition is from Latin addere, "to add" (ad- + dare "to give"). Addiction is from Latin addicere, "to assign, to surrender" (ad- + dicere "to say"): in Roman law a debtor could be addicted — adjudged — to a creditor. The sense of being bound to a habit grew from that.
Frequently asked questions
Is it "in addition to" or "in addiction to"?
In addition to — as well as. Addiction is dependence.
What is the verb for addiction?
Addict, usually in the passive: to be addicted to something. The verb for addition is add.
Where does the word addiction come from?
Roman law: a debtor "addicted" to a creditor was assigned to them. Anyone worried about their own or someone else's use should talk to a doctor.