The meaning of ADDITIVE is of, relating to, or characterized by addition. How to use additive in a sentence.

ADDITIVE definition: something that is added, as one substance to another, to alter or improve the general quality or to counteract undesirable properties. See examples of additive used in a sentence.

ADDITIVE definition: 1. a substance that is added to food in order to improve its taste or appearance or to keep it…. Learn more.

Definition of additive noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. a substance that is added in small amounts to something, especially food, in order to improve it, give it colour, make it last longer, …

ADDITIVE meaning: something (such as a chemical) that is added in small amounts to a substance to improve it in some way

1. something that is added, as one substance to another, to alter or improve the quality or to counteract undesirable properties. 2. a. a substance added directly to food during processing, as for …

What does the word additive mean? There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the word additive. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. additive has developed …

Additive definition: A substance added in small amounts to something else to improve, strengthen, or otherwise alter it.

Jan 20, 2026 · From Late Latin additivus, from the participial stem of Latin addere (“to add”). additive (comparative more additive, superlative most additive) (mathematics) Pertaining to addition; that can …

An additive is an extra substance that's added to something in order to improve it in some way. Many additives are used to preserve or flavor food.