addition
uh-DIHSH-uhn
Addition (noun) means the arithmetic operation of combining numbers to find a total. Example: “My daughter practises addition with small number cards every evening before bed.”
noun
1
The arithmetic operation of combining numbers to find a total.
"My daughter practises addition with small number cards every evening before bed."
"Children usually learn addition before subtraction."
"The calculator handles addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division."
2
Something new that has been added to something else.
"The shop's newest addition is a small café by the front window."
"The new hire is a great addition to the team."
"They built an addition onto the back of the house."
How to use addition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the math operation of adding numbers, or something extra that has been added.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
in addition to
a welcome addition
basic addition
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Word forms
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Etymology
From Old French adition, from Latin additio, from addere, "to add."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for addition
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for addition →
Frequently asked questions
What does “addition” mean?
The word “addition” means the arithmetic operation of combining numbers to find a total. In plain terms, either the math operation of adding numbers, or something extra that has been added.
How do you pronounce “addition”?
“Addition” is pronounced uh-DIHSH-uhn (/əˈdɪʃ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “addition” in a sentence?
Here is “addition” used in a sentence: “Children usually learn addition before subtraction.”
What is another word for “addition”?
Words with a similar meaning to “addition” include supplement.
What is the opposite of “addition”?
The opposite of “addition” — its antonyms — are exclusion, reduction, deduction, subtraction and removal.
What part of speech is “addition”?
“Addition” is a noun.
Where does the word “addition” come from?
The word “addition” comes from Latin. From Old French adition, from Latin additio, from addere, "to add.".
Is “addition” a common word?
“Addition” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between addition and subtraction?
They are opposite arithmetic operations. Addition combines numbers to find their total, or sum — 3 plus 4 makes 7. Subtraction takes one number away from another to find the difference — 7 minus 4 leaves 3. Addition builds a larger total; subtraction reduces one. Each undoes the other.
What is an example of addition?
Adding 2 and 5 to get 7 is a simple example, written 2 + 5 = 7. The numbers being added are called addends, and the result is the sum. Everyday addition includes totalling a shopping bill or combining scores — any time separate amounts are joined into one total.
What are the parts of an addition problem?
In an addition problem, the numbers being combined are called addends, and the answer is called the sum or total. The plus sign (+) shows the operation, and the equals sign (=) introduces the result. So in 6 + 3 = 9, six and three are addends and nine is the sum.
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