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to add on

to add on

9 3.2
To attach something extra to what already exists
  • phrasal verb
  • /æd ɑn/
translation icon : añadir
  • So our next step then is to add on our growing chambers.
  • add on a room
  • add on an extra
  • add-on fees

Just kind of adds on top rather than lifting up.

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Examples

  • He decided to add on a new deck to his backyard patio.

  • So let's add on John Lewis and let's add on Amazon as well.

  • Steve, if you want to add on to this, please, please do.

  • Also I want to add on to that, is Jesus God?

  • But it allowed them to add on all of this.

  • Is there anything you want to add on any, any of that?

  • Also, they want to do quite a bit of construction to add on to the building.

    Blog text (33)
  • I'm now going to add on another K to that.

  • And then I'd like to add on some texture.

  • Other people will come along later and add on or recycle elements.

    Blog text (10)

Synonyms

to add
vsto add on
1.0

Include something extra to make something larger or better

is the everyday act of attaching an extra to what exists
to supplement
vsto add on
61 4.3

To add extra information to make something more complete

is the neutral act of attaching extra without aiming to improve
to put on
vsto add on
34 1.7

To add something to a building to make it larger

is broader and covers any extra, not only extensions or enlargements
to tack on
vsto add on
19 4.1

Add something extra that was not planned

is neutral about planning and can be intentional rather than afterthought
to affix
vsto add on
18 5.0

To attach something to another thing by sticking or fastening it

is more general and can mean including extra without firm fastening
to append
vsto add on
7 4.6

To add something to the end of a document or list

is general and applies to extras in any place, not only ends
to tag on
vsto add on
  • Informal
2 3.4

To add something extra at the end

is neutral and not limited to quick or informal attachments
to superadd
vsto add on
8.6

To put something extra into or on what is already there

is a simple inclusion of one extra rather than repeated attachments

Antonyms

56 1.6

To take one number away from another

16 3.9

To take something off from what it is connected to

How Additional

to supplement
61 4.3
to add on
9 3.2
to append
7 4.6
to attach
459 2.5

Surface Forms

add on infinitive
added on past
added on past participle
adding on present participle
adds on third person singular

Morphology

add + on

The meaning 'to include or attach something extra' is directly derivable from combining 'add' (to insert or include an extra thing) with the particle 'on' which signals attachment or addition. This verb + particle composition follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern and is immediately predictable for a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Add on comes from the simple image of add + on: putting an extra piece on something that already exists, like building a new room onto a house or sticking a tag on a product. That's why it means 'to include or attach something extra'.