additive
1 of 2adjective
ad·di·tive ˈa-də-tiv 
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
additively adverb
additivity
ˌa-də-ˈti-və-tē
noun additive
2 of 2noun
: a substance added to another in relatively small amounts to effect a desired change in properties
food additives
Synonyms
Adjective
- accretive
- accumulative
- conglomerative
- cumulative
- incremental
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Larry Greenemeier, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2013 People trying to reduce their meat consumption could use a mealworm additive to fulfill their meaty cravings, for instance. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 27 Aug. 2022 For folks like Stephen Sweezey, manager of one such shop—Running Hub in Santa Fe, New Mexico—such coexistence might even be additive for the little guy, if not for REI, in the long run. Amanda Loudin, Outside Online, 16 Aug. 2022 In the winter of 2021, the first-ever asphalt additive made from recycled plastic bottles was commercialized. Kao Contributor, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022 As a color additive in foods, the FDA requires that titanium dioxide meet certain specifications. Sam Jones, Scientific American, 29 July 2022 An unsafe level of that food additive is what’s found in the candies, according to attorneys who filed the Skittles lawsuit on behalf of San Leandro resident Jenile Thames. Andy Meek, BGR, 18 July 2022 But in May 2021, the EFSA concluded there was enough research to indicate that titanium dioxide was no longer safe when used as a food additive. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2022 At present, Utah does not bring enough additive value to be knocking on the door of the Big Ten, but its value and brand have risen in recent years. Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 July 2022 Sara Coughlin, SELF, 17 May 2022 This is also true in Canada, where a recent evaluation of scientific evidence led to the conclusion that titanium dioxide as a food additive is safe. Sam Jones, Scientific American, 29 July 2022 According to a report from the Foreign Agriculture Service within the US Dept. of Agriculture, the EU is banning titanium dioxide as a food additive, a move that began with a six-month phase-out period starting on February 7. Andy Meek, BGR, 18 July 2022 Although most people can identify Skittles flavors like lemon, strawberry and orange, few can probably name titanium dioxide, a coloring additive that helps give the candies their bright hue. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2022 And the door gasket, dispenser drawer and other internal components are treated with Microban, an additive to help keep mold at bay. Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping, 5 May 2022 Impress your friends with this protective additive to your newest, most important card. Jordi Lippe-mcgraw, Forbes, 15 Nov. 2021 They’ve previously been used as a fuel additive, but never to power an entire flight. Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Jan. 2022 In the best scenarios, QR codes have served as an additive. Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2022 See More
Adjective
Industrial-scale, production-quality airplane or automobile parts, however, require additive machines and materials that don't currently exist. Larry Greenemeier, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2013 People trying to reduce their meat consumption could use a mealworm additive to fulfill their meaty cravings, for instance. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 27 Aug. 2022 For folks like Stephen Sweezey, manager of one such shop—Running Hub in Santa Fe, New Mexico—such coexistence might even be additive for the little guy, if not for REI, in the long run. Amanda Loudin, Outside Online, 16 Aug. 2022 In the winter of 2021, the first-ever asphalt additive made from recycled plastic bottles was commercialized. Kao Contributor, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022 As a color additive in foods, the FDA requires that titanium dioxide meet certain specifications. Sam Jones, Scientific American, 29 July 2022 An unsafe level of that food additive is what’s found in the candies, according to attorneys who filed the Skittles lawsuit on behalf of San Leandro resident Jenile Thames. Andy Meek, BGR, 18 July 2022 But in May 2021, the EFSA concluded there was enough research to indicate that titanium dioxide was no longer safe when used as a food additive. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2022 At present, Utah does not bring enough additive value to be knocking on the door of the Big Ten, but its value and brand have risen in recent years. Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 July 2022 Noun
By comparison, Lululemon uses an antimicrobial additive in its mats to prevent mold and mildew growth. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 17 May 2022 This is also true in Canada, where a recent evaluation of scientific evidence led to the conclusion that titanium dioxide as a food additive is safe. Sam Jones, Scientific American, 29 July 2022 According to a report from the Foreign Agriculture Service within the US Dept. of Agriculture, the EU is banning titanium dioxide as a food additive, a move that began with a six-month phase-out period starting on February 7. Andy Meek, BGR, 18 July 2022 Although most people can identify Skittles flavors like lemon, strawberry and orange, few can probably name titanium dioxide, a coloring additive that helps give the candies their bright hue. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2022 And the door gasket, dispenser drawer and other internal components are treated with Microban, an additive to help keep mold at bay. Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping, 5 May 2022 Impress your friends with this protective additive to your newest, most important card. Jordi Lippe-mcgraw, Forbes, 15 Nov. 2021 They’ve previously been used as a fuel additive, but never to power an entire flight. Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Jan. 2022 In the best scenarios, QR codes have served as an additive. Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
borrowed from Late Latin additīvus, from Latin additus (past participle of addere "to add") + -īvus -ive
Noun
derivative of additive entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1901, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing additive
Kids Definition
additive
noun
ad·di·tive ˈa-də-tiv
: a substance added to another in small amounts The gasoline additive improves engine performance.
Medical Definition
additive 1 of 2
adjective
ad·di·tive ˈad-ət-iv
: 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
additive
2 of 2noun
: a substance added to another in relatively small amounts to effect a desired change in properties
especially : an agent added to a foodstuff to improve color, flavor, texture, or keeping qualities
additives
noun
as in supplements
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- supplements
- accompaniments
- subsidiaries
- accessories
- appliances
- appendages
- options
- complements
- adapters
- adjuncts
- accoutrements
- adaptors
- add-ons
- attachments
- accouterments
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- necessities
- essentials
- requirements
- requisites