What does address mean?
Address is one of English's most versatile everyday words, functioning as both a noun and a verb with several distinct but related meanings. Most commonly, it denotes the details identifying where a person or organization can be found — a street address, an email address, or a web address — making it essential to communication, commerce, and navigation in modern life. As a verb, it covers a range of directed actions: writing a recipient's details on an envelope, speaking to a person or assembly, or turning one's attention to a problem, as in 'we must address this issue.' It also names a formal speech, as in a presidential address. The word carries a neutral-to-formal tone; its problem-solving sense appears frequently in professional and political discourse. Its flexibility comes from a single underlying idea — directing something toward a target — which unifies all its uses across centuries of development.
The particulars of the place where a person lives or an organization is situated, or a digital destination such as an email or web address.
"Write your name and address on the back of the envelope."
Commonly modified: home address, return address, email address.
A formal speech delivered to an audience.
"She gave the keynote address at the conference."
To write a recipient's name and details on mail, or to speak or write to someone directly.
"He addressed the letter to his former professor."
To give attention to or deal with a matter or problem.
"The committee met to address the budget shortfall."
Frequent in formal and professional contexts; often used with 'issue', 'concern', or 'problem'.
Standard plural for the noun form; used when referring to multiple locations or contact details.
"The spreadsheet contains the addresses of all our suppliers."
The same word that gets your letter delivered can also mean a formal speech — because both trace back to the idea of 'directing toward' someone.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of address
Address comes from Old French 'adresser', formed from the Latin prefix ad- ('toward') plus the Vulgar Latin *directiare, from Latin directus ('straight'), the root of 'direct'. It entered Middle English in the late medieval period, originally meaning to set straight, guide, or prepare. Over time it developed senses of directing speech toward someone (hence speaking to, and later a formal speech) and directing mail to a destination (hence a place's identifying details). Cognates include 'dress' and 'redress', which share the same Latin root via French.
Related word forms
How address is actually used
Stress differs by part of speech: the noun is typically stressed on the first syllable (AD-dress), while the verb takes stress on the second syllable (a-DRESS), though this distinction is not always observed. The verb sense meaning 'to tackle a problem' is common in formal and professional register. The dated sense referring to personal bearing or skill ('a man of pleasing address') is now rare and largely literary.
Easily confused with address
'Dressed' means wearing clothes; 'address' means a location or the act of speaking to or dealing with something — they share sounds but nothing in meaning.