additive

[ad-i-tiv]

noun

1. something that is added, as one substance to another, to alter or improve the general quality or to counteract undesirable properties.

   an additive that thins paint.

2. Nutrition.

   1. Also called food additive. a substance added directly to food during processing, as for preservation, coloring, or stabilization.

   2. something that becomes part of food or affects it as a result of packaging or processing, as debris or radiation.

adjective

1. characterized or produced by addition; cumulative.

   an additive process.

2. Mathematics.,  (of a function) having the property that the function of the union or sum of two quantities is equal to the sum of the functional values of each quantity; linear.

additive

/ ˈædɪtɪv /

adjective

1. characterized or produced by addition; cumulative

noun

1. any substance added to something to improve it, prevent deterioration, etc

2. short for food additive

additive

1. A substance added in small amounts to something else to improve, strengthen, or otherwise alter it. Additives are used for a variety of reasons. They are added to food, for example, to enhance taste or color or to prevent spoilage. They are added to gasoline to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, and to plastics to enhance molding capability.

1. Relating to the production of color by the mixing of light rays of varying wavelengths.

2. ◆ The additive primaries red, green, and blue are those colors whose wavelengths can be mixed in different proportions to produce all other spectral colors.

3. Compare subtractive See Note at color

4. Mathematics,  Marked by, produced by, or involving addition.

Other Word Forms

• additively adverb
• interadditive adjective
• subadditive adjective
• subadditively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of additive¹

From the Late Latin word additīvus, dating back to 1690–1700. See additament, -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of additive¹

C17: from Late Latin additīvus, from addere to _add

Example Sentences

Bioethanol, can be made from waste oil or grains and is used as an additive to fuels, to reduce climate-damaging emissions.

From BBC

Then there is the stereotype, dubbed the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, a partly xenophobic myth that the food can make people feel sick because of supposedly high concentration of additives, particularly the flavouring agent MSG.

From BBC

Plainly, an “additive” benefit would have nothing to do with Social Security.

From Los Angeles Times

The plastic — even when made from non-fossil fuel sources such as kelp, corn or sugar cane — often contains additives that composters say can contaminate the soil.

From Los Angeles Times

“That presence in the lineup is so additive,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• preservative 
• supplement