First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1address
verb ad·dress \ə-ˈdres, a- also ˈa-ˌdres\
: to write on an envelope, package, letter, etc., the name and address of the person or business it is being sent to
: to speak to (a person or group)
: to use a specified name or title when speaking or writing to (someone)
Full Definition of ADDRESS
transitive verb
2
a : to direct the efforts or attention of (oneself) <will address himself to the problem> b : to deal with : treat <intrigued by the chance to address important issues — I. L. Horowitz>
3
archaic : to make ready; especially : dress
4
a : to communicate directly <addresses his thanks to his host> b : to speak or write directly to; especially : to deliver a formal speech to
5
a : to mark directions for delivery on <address a letter> b : to consign to the care of another (as an agent or factor)
6
: to greet by a prescribed form
7
: to adjust the club preparatory to hitting (a golf ball)
8
: to identify (as a computer peripheral or memory location) by an address or a name for information transfer
intransitive verb
obsolete : to direct one's speech or attentions
— ad·dress·er noun
See address defined for English-language learners
See address defined for kids
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Origin of ADDRESS
Middle English adressen, from Anglo-French adrescer, from a- (from Latin ad-) + drescer to direct, put right — more at dress
Related to ADDRESS
- Synonyms
- handle, contend (with), cope (with), field, grapple (with), hack, manage, maneuver, manipulate, negotiate, play, swing, take, treat
Rhymes with ADDRESS
abscess, access, aggress, assess, bench-press, caress, clothespress, coatdress, cold-press, compress, confess, cross-dress, CS, depress, de-stress, digress, distress, drill press, egress, excess, express, finesse, fluoresce, French press, full-dress, handpress, headdress, housedress, idlesse, impress, ingress, Meknes, much less, nightdress, noblesse, no less, obsess, oppress, outguess, possess, precess, prestress, princess, process, profess, progress, recess, redress, regress, re-press, repress, shirtdress, side-dress, SS, success, sundress, suppress, tendresse, top-dress, transgress, undress, unless, web press, winepress, word stress
2address
noun ad·dress \ə-ˈdres, for 4 & 5 & 7 also ˈa-ˌdres\
: the words and numbers that are used to describe the location of a building and that are written on letters, envelopes, and packages so that they can be mailed to that location
: the letters, numbers, and symbols that are used to direct an e-mail message or to show the location of a site on the Internet
: a formal speech
Full Definition of ADDRESS
1
: dutiful and courteous attention especially in courtship —usually used in plural
2
a : readiness and capability for dealing (as with a person or problem) skillfully and smoothly : adroitness b obsolete : a making ready; also : a state of preparedness
3
a : manner of bearing oneself <a man of rude address> b : manner of speaking or singing : delivery
4
: a formal communication; especially : a prepared speech delivered to a special audience or on a special occasion
5
a : a place where a person or organization may be communicated with b : directions for delivery on the outside of an object (as a letter or package) c : the designation of place of delivery placed between the heading and salutation on a business letter d : the designation of a computer account from which one can send or receive e-mail
6
: a preparatory position of the player and club in golf
7
a : a location (as in the memory of a computer) where particular information is stored b : a series of usually alphanumeric characters that specifies the storage location (as on a network or in a computer's memory) of particular information <an Internet address>
See address defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ADDRESS
1539
Related to ADDRESS
- Synonyms
- speech, declamation, harangue, oration, peroration, talk
Synonym Discussion of ADDRESS
tact, address, poise, savoir faire mean skill and grace in dealing with others. tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate <questions showing a lack of tact>. address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends <brought it off with remarkable address>. poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations <answered the accusations with unruffled poise>. savoir faire is likely to stress worldly experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient <the savoir faire of a seasoned traveler>.
ADDRESS Defined for Kids
1address
verb ad·dress \ə-ˈdres\
ad·dressedad·dress·ing
Definition of ADDRESS for Kids
1
: to put directions for delivery on <address a letter>
2
: to speak or write to <Bleakly, Roy looked up to address the grownups. — Carl Hiaasen, Hoot>
3
: to use a specified name or title when speaking or writing to (someone) <The children address me as “sir.”>
4
: to deal with : give attention to <address a problem>
2address
noun ad·dress \ə-ˈdres, ˈa-ˌdres\
Definition of ADDRESS for Kids
1
: the place where a person can usually be reached <a business address>
2
: the directions for delivery placed on mail
3
: the symbols (as numerals or letters) that identify the location where particular information (as a home page) is stored on a computer especially on the Internet
4
: a formal speech <The president will give an address at the ceremony.>
5
: the name of a computer account from which e-mail can be sent or received
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