plus

The word “plus” means added to; with the addition of. In plain terms, added to, or an extra advantage/positive point.

“Plus” is pronounced PLUHS (/ˈplʌs/ in IPA).

Here is “plus” used in a sentence: “Two plus two equals four.”

Words with a similar meaning to “plus” include and, being positive rather than negative and zero.

The opposite of “plus” — its antonyms — are minus, negative, bad and disadvantageous.

Depending on how it is used, “plus” can be a preposition, a conjunction, an adjective and a noun.

The word “plus” comes from Latin. Borrowed directly from Latin "plūs", meaning "more".

“Plus” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

'And' simply joins two things together. 'Plus' adds them, keeping a sense of quantity or accumulation, as in 'three plus four'. In casual speech people also use 'plus' to mean 'and also' when adding a further point: 'It's cheap, plus it's fast.' In careful writing, 'and' remains the standard connector.

The opposite is 'minus', which means taking away or subtracting rather than adding. In maths, 'five plus two' gives seven while 'five minus two' gives three. More loosely, 'plus' suggests a positive or extra element, so 'minus' can also mean lacking something, as in 'a house minus its roof'.

Traditionally 'plus' is a preposition meaning 'added to', as in 'two plus two'. In modern informal English it also works as a conjunction to introduce an extra point, as in 'Plus, I'm tired.' Some careful writers avoid starting a sentence with it, but the usage is now very common.