additive

adjective
ad·​di·​tive | \ ˈa-də-tiv How to pronounce additive (audio) \

Definition of additive

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of, relating to, or characterized by addition an additive process
2 : produced by addition
3 : characterized by, being, or producing effects (such as drug responses or gene products) that when the causative factors act together are the sum of their individual effects

additive

noun

Definition of additive (Entry 2 of 2)

: a substance added to another in relatively small amounts to effect a desired change in properties food additives

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Other Words from additive

Adjective

additively adverb
additivity \ ˌa-​də-​ˈti-​və-​tē How to pronounce additivity (audio) \ noun

Examples of additive in a Sentence

Adjective

certain drugs have additive effects when taken in conjunction with each other that one doesn't see when any one is used alone

Noun

a gasoline additive to reduce pollution

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

This savings is additive, with a theoretical heavy Thunderbolt user with four active devices connected saving as much as 1.2W in total. Jim Salter, Ars Technica, "Intel reveals final details on Ice Lake mobile CPUs," 2 Aug. 2019 These submissions can take the form of new dietary ingredient notifications or food additive petitions, which would include toxicity studies to evaluate the safety of CBD. Scott Gottlieb, chicagotribune.com, "Former FDA commissioner: CBD craze is getting out of hand," 2 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'additive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of additive

Adjective

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for additive

Adjective

borrowed from Late Latin additīvus, from Latin additus (past participle of addere "to add") + -īvus -ive

Noun

derivative of additive entry 1

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More Definitions for additive

additive

noun

English Language Learners Definition of additive

: something (such as a chemical) that is added in small amounts to a substance to improve it in some way

additive

noun
ad·​di·​tive | \ ˈa-də-tiv How to pronounce additive (audio) \

Kids Definition of additive

: a substance added to another in small amounts The gasoline additive improves engine performance.

additive

adjective
ad·​di·​tive | \ ˈad-ət-iv How to pronounce additive (audio) \

Medical Definition of additive

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: having or relating to a value or effect that is the sum of individual values or effects: as
a : relating to the sum of the pharmacological responses produced by the concurrent administration of two or more drugs capable of producing the same kind of effect
b : having a genetic effect that is the sum of the individual effects