add up
verb
added up; adding up; adds up
1
a
: to come to the expected total
the bill doesn't add up
b
: to form an intelligible pattern : make sense
her story just doesn't add up
2
a
: amount sense 1b
—used with to
the play adds up to a lot of laughs
b
: to amount to a lot
just a little each time, but it all adds up
: to form an opinion of
added him up at a glance
Examples of add up in a Sentence
whether we take the 4:00 train or the 4:15 bus, it adds up to the same thing: they both get us back too late
even if we pool all our money, it won't add up to enough to rent a beach house for a week
Recent Examples on the Web
By the end of the year, those small indoor air quality solutions can add up to a healthier home and healthier lungs for the entire family.
—
Ryan Brennan
may 19, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
The combination of extreme heat and widespread drought could add up to a higher-than-average risk of wildfire, especially in the Southwest, Southern Plains and Central High Plains, as well as the Deep South and Southeast.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
Testing, fittings, adjustments, follow-up appointments, and replacement costs can add up quickly, especially for people who need more advanced support than over-the-counter products can provide.
—Matthew Kayser, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
Aged White Cheddar Cheese Aged white Cheddar cheese is a staple in many refrigerators, but the cost of high-end cheese can add up.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for add up
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ryan Brennan
may 19, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
The combination of extreme heat and widespread drought could add up to a higher-than-average risk of wildfire, especially in the Southwest, Southern Plains and Central High Plains, as well as the Deep South and Southeast.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
Testing, fittings, adjustments, follow-up appointments, and replacement costs can add up quickly, especially for people who need more advanced support than over-the-counter products can provide.
—Matthew Kayser, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
Aged White Cheddar Cheese Aged white Cheddar cheese is a staple in many refrigerators, but the cost of high-end cheese can add up.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for add up
Cite this Entry
“Add up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/add%20up. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
