addition - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
addition Word Meanings
- the process of adding something
- an amount added to something else
- the result of adding numbers together
addition Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
addition Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/əˈdɪʃ.ən/
US
/əˈdɪʃ.ən/
addition Word Etymology
Latin ad- (to/toward) + ditio (a giving) → Old French addition → English. Imagine a person adding another piece of a puzzle, bringing the image closer to completion by adding that one piece.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I reach for a pencil and place it on the page, ready to work. I push a second mark beside the first and slide my hand to adjust the spacing as the lines grow. The effort to keep them aligned feels like a tiny workout, a focused shift of attention. When the two marks sit together, the sense of addition rises from the doing itself, and the page seems to carry more than before.
Real Context
Addition is the act of combining quantities to obtain a total. In math, it is a basic operation you perform when you put numbers together, but English uses the word addition in other, less formal ways too. We say 'in addition' to introduce an extra item or point, and 'the addition of X' to describe something being added to something else. The noun can refer to the amount added or the result of adding. Learners often mix up 'addition' with 'sum' or 'total' and forget that 'add' is a verb, while 'addition' names the process or result.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: use addition for the math operation, not as a synonym for sum; use 'in addition' to add information; distinguish addition (process) from amount added; 'the addition of' introduces a new element; avoid overusing 'addition' in casual speech.
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking addition always means math only
- Confusing 'addition' with 'sum' or 'total'
- Using 'addition' as a verb instead of 'add'
- Mistaking 'in addition to' for 'in addition' as a verb
- Misplacing 'addition' in non-mathematical lists
Thinking Differences
English frames addition as a clear, formal math term but also uses the phrase in additive, connective senses like 'in addition'. Learners often think of addition only as a date-less, numerical process and miss that the noun can name a result or an added quantity. Common mistakes include treating 'addition' as a verb and misplacing it in lists or descriptions.
Learning Tips
- Compare additions to sums to feel the difference
- Practice 'in addition to' for extra points or items
- Identify whether addition means a process or a result
- Use examples beyond numbers, like adding people or features
- Note collocations: 'addition to', 'additional' vs 'add'
- Review common math phrases with addition in context
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'addition'?
A.Combining two or more things together
B.Separating things apart
C.Changing the color of something
D.Eating a meal
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence below uses the word 'addition' correctly?
A.Her addition to the team made a positive impact.
B.I prefer addition when it comes to cooking.
C.The subtraction of numbers gives an addition result.
D.The addition of the puzzle pieces became more confusing.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'addition'?
A.Division
B.Multiplication
C.Combination
D.Subtraction
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of the word 'addition'?
A.Division
B.Multiplication
C.Subtraction
D.Merge
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario where 'addition' is important?
A.Balancing a budget by including all expenses
B.Baking a cake without adding ingredients
C.Driving a car without adding fuel
D.Running a marathon without adding water breaks
Related Listening
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