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.

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 …

Additives keep certain foods fresh. This paint has an additive that keeps mold from growing on it.

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

Jan 20, 2026 · Noun additive (plural additives) A substance added to another substance or product to produce specific properties in the combined substance.

What is the etymology of the word additive? additive is a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: Latin additivus.

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

An additive is a substance which is added in small amounts to foods or other things in order to improve them or to make them last longer. Strict safety tests are carried out on food additives.

Definition of additive noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.