What does additional mean?
"Additional" is an adjective describing something that exists or is supplied over and above what is already present, stated, or expected. When a report requires additional research, or a bill includes additional charges, the word signals an increment on top of an established baseline rather than a replacement for it. Derived from the Latin verb addere, meaning "to give to" or "to add," it entered English in the early modern period and has since become one of the most workaday words of administrative and commercial English, appearing constantly in phrases such as "additional information," "additional cost," and "additional time." Its tone is neutral and matter-of-fact, suiting everything from legal contracts to casual conversation. Closely related forms include the noun "addition" and the adverb "additionally." Because it quietly frames quantities as cumulative rather than fixed, "additional" is a useful word for anyone who needs to describe growth, extension, or surplus with precision.
adjectiveAdded to or existing beyond what is usual, expected, or already present; extra or supplementary.
- Existing or coming as an extra amount or part beyond what has been mentioned, allotted, or expected; further or supplementary.
"The project will require additional funding before it can proceed."
"Passengers may bring one carry-on bag free of charge; any additional bags incur a fee."
"She took on additional responsibilities after her promotion to team lead."
Every "additional" thing you've ever mentioned carries a tiny piece of ancient Rome inside it — the word traces straight back to the Latin verb addere, "to give to."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of additional
"Additional" derives from the Latin verb addere, meaning "to give to" or "to add to," via the Late Latin noun additio, meaning "an adding." It entered English in the early modern period, likely in the sixteenth century, alongside related borrowings such as "addition." The same Latin root gives English several other words, including "additive," "addendum," and "addend," all sharing the core sense of something joined or given to something else.
Related word forms
How additional is actually used
"Additional" is neutral in register and common in both formal and everyday contexts, appearing frequently in business, legal, and administrative language. It typically precedes a noun ("additional details") and implies that a base quantity or set has already been established.
Easily confused with additional
"Additive" is a noun naming a substance added to something else (such as a food additive), while "additional" is an adjective meaning extra or added.