addition
UK /əˈdɪʃ.ən/ US /əˈdɪʃ.ən/ Syllables: ad-di-tion
Quick answer
The process of adding numbers together, or something added to a group of things.
Addition is the act of adding. In math, it is the first kind of sum children learn: two plus two equals four. In daily life, an addition is something added to what is already there, such as a new room on a house or a new player on a team. The phrase in addition to means as well as. For example, in addition to English, she speaks Spanish. The opposite of addition in math is subtraction.
"The children practised addition using building blocks."Meanings
- The process of adding numbers together.
- Something that is added to a group of things.
- The act of adding something.
Example sentences
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"The children practiced addition using building blocks."
Level A1, Meaning 1
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"In addition to the fee, you must show your passport."
Level A2, Meaning 3
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"The new puppy is a lovely addition to the family."
Level A2, Meaning 2
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"Our class is learning addition and subtraction."
Level A1, Meaning 1
Synonyms and antonyms
Antonyms
Look-alikes and common mistakes
- edition : An edition is a version of a book or a newspaper. Addition is the act of adding.
- subtraction : Subtraction takes one number away from another. Addition puts them together.
Word family and forms
Forms: additions
Word partners
Words and phrases that often go with "addition".
- in addition
- in addition to
- a new addition
- an addition to the family
- addition and subtraction
- a welcome addition
Idioms and phrases
- in addition
- Also, as well.
- "In addition, the shop opens on Sundays."
Origin
Addition came into English in the 1300s from Old French, which took it from Latin additio, an adding. The Latin word comes from addere, to put to, and means the act of adding something to something else.
Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.
How to remember it
Addition is add plus ion, so you can hear the word add inside it.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "The children practiced _____ using building blocks."
Answer: addition
In your own words, what does "addition" mean?
The process of adding numbers together, or something added to a group of things.
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Sources and credits
- Wiktionary, the free dictionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
- Dictionary.com · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
Last reviewed October 20, 2026. Report a mistake on this page