Dictionary
1additive
adjective ad·di·tive \ˈa-də-tiv\
Definition of ADDITIVE
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by addition <an additive process>
2
: produced by addition
3
: characterized by, being, or producing effects (as drug responses or gene products) that when the causative factors act together are the sum of their individual effects
— ad·di·tive·ly adverb
— ad·di·tiv·i·ty \ˌa-də-ˈti-və-tē\ noun
See additive defined for kids ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of ADDITIVE
1699
Related to ADDITIVE
- Synonyms
- accretive, accumulative, cumulative, conglomerative, incremental
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
2additive
noun
: something (such as a chemical) that is added in small amounts to a substance to improve it in some way
Full Definition of ADDITIVE
: a substance added to another in relatively small amounts to effect a desired change in properties <food additives>
See additive defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ADDITIVE
1945
ADDITIVE Defined for Kids
additive
noun ad·di·tive \ˈa-də-tiv\
Definition of ADDITIVE for Kids
: a substance added to another in small amounts <The gasoline additive improves engine performance.>
Learn More About ADDITIVE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: additive identityPrevious Word in the Dictionary: addition theoremAll Words Near: additive
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up additive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).