1 A2 neutral
To include an extra charge or cost on top of an existing price.
"The airline added on a fuel surcharge without telling us in advance."
separable
add on
A2 neutral separable transitive
To include an extra feature, charge, or element to something that already exists.
In plain English
To put something extra on top of or alongside something that is already there.
What does "add on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To attach an extra feature, room, or component to something existing.
"They added a garage on to the side of the house last summer."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place something additional on top of or alongside something — very transparent.
Actually means
To put something extra on top of or alongside something that is already there.
Usage tip
Commonly used in commercial contexts (adding fees, features, or services) and in construction (adding an extension). The noun 'add-on' is very common in technology and retail. Separable: 'add a fee on' or 'add on a fee'.
Words that pair with "add on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
fee cost feature service extension charge
How to conjugate "add on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
add on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
adds on
he/she/it
Past simple
added on
yesterday
Past participle
added on
have + pp
-ing form
adding on
continuous
Hear "add on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "add on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "add on"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
annex append attach include supplement tack on
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