plus

1 of 4

adjective

ˈpləs

Synonyms of plus next

: algebraically positive

: having, receiving, or being in addition to what is anticipated

: falling high in a specified range

a grade of C plus

: greater than that specified

: possessing a specified quality to a high degree

: electrically positive

: relating to or being a particular one of the two mating types that are required for successful fertilization in sexual reproduction in some lower plantlike organisms (such as a fungus)

plus

2 of 4

noun

plural pluses ˈplə-səz

also plusses

: plus sign

: an added quantity

: a positive factor or quality

: surplus

plus

3 of 4

preposition

: increased by : with the addition of

four plus five

principal plus interest

: besides

—used chiefly in speech and casual writing

plus all this, as a sedative it has no equal—

Groucho Marx

plus

4 of 4

conjunction

: and

eats alone, a hot beef sandwich plus a BLT plus apple pie—

Garrison Keillor

: in addition to which

it's also pretty on my open shelves, plus it smells good—

Nikki Giovanni

Using Plus as a Conjunction: Usage Guide

The preposition plus has long been used with a meaning equivalent to and (as in "two plus two"); people have come to use plus as a conjunction much like and. Sense 2 is considered to be an adverb by some. It is used chiefly in speech and in informal writing.

Examples of plus in a Sentence

Noun The apartment isn't perfect, but the fact that it has new appliances is a plus. The job doesn't pay well, but the convenient hours are a definite plus. Preposition The hotel has two restaurants, plus a bar and a swimming pool. Conjunction He works a full-time job during the day, plus he goes to school at night. I enjoy gardening, plus it's good exercise.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Available in a variety of washes and colors, the jeans come in sizes 20 to 32, along with plus sizes. —

Amanda Oliver, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024 There is a plus side, though: Replaceable hearing aid batteries can last for 70 hours or more, far longer than even the best rechargeable models. —

Christopher Null, WIRED, 20 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plus

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin, adverb, more, from neuter of plur-, plus, adjective; akin to Greek pleion more, Latin plenus full — more at full

First Known Use

Adjective

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Conjunction

circa 1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of plus was in 1537

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Plus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plus. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

plus

1 of 3 adjective

ˈpləs

: mathematically positive

a plus quantity

: having, receiving, or being in addition to what is expected

now she is plus a kitten

: falling high in a certain range

a grade of C plus

: electrically positive

plus

2 of 3 noun

plural pluses ˈpləs-əz

also plusses

: an added quantity

: something that is an advantage

that the machine operated quietly was a plus

plus

3 of 3 preposition

: increased by : with the addition of

4 plus 5 is 9

Medical Definition

plus

adjective

ˈpləs

: relating to or being a particular one of the two mating types that are required for successful fertilization in sexual reproduction in some lower plants (as a fungus) compare minus

Last Updated: 1 May 2024 - Updated example sentences

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plus

adjective

noun

preposition

conjunction

Synonyms

Examples of plus in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near plus

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition