plus

Pronunciation: /plʌs/

noun

Difficulty: common

Definition of plus

plus (noun): An advantage or positive aspect of something; an additional or supplementary benefit that adds value.

Example: The proximity to public transportation was a significant plus when choosing an apartment in the city.

Best for: common-difficulty vocabulary; learners who already know "advantage" or "benefit"; GRE Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence); SAT Reading & Writing (Words in Context).

Origin of plus

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: plus

Original meaning: more

How it evolved: The term transitioned from denoting 'more' in a quantitative sense to representing an added benefit or advantage in English usage.

Derived from Latin, the word 'plus' initially signified 'more' or 'increased quantity' and evolved to denote an added benefit or positive aspect.

First known use: 14th century

How to Remember plus

Think of the plus sign (+), which adds value or something extra — just like the word 'plus' signifies an advantage or addition.

Synonyms for plus

Antonyms of plus

plus in a Sentence

  1. The proximity to public transportation was a significant plus when choosing an apartment in the city.
  2. Her multilingual skills were a major plus during the job interview, showcasing her versatility and adaptability.
  3. The project was challenging, but having a supportive team was an undeniable plus that made success possible.

plus in Literature & Culture

The word 'plus' is frequently used in motivational speeches, advertisements, and everyday conversations to emphasize advantages or additional benefits.

Usage Notes

The word 'plus' is versatile and can also function as a preposition (e.g., 'The cost is $50, plus tax'). As a noun, it emphasizes advantages, often in comparison to negatives.

Why plus Matters for GRE & SAT

Knowing words like 'plus' is essential for understanding nuances in reading comprehension passages and for precisely analyzing arguments in text, as it denotes added value or positive elements.

Word Family

plus (preposition)
In addition to; as well as.
pluses (noun)
Advantages or positive aspects (plural form of plus).
plus-sized (adjective)
Relating to clothing designed for larger body sizes.

Did You Know?

  • The plus (+) symbol originated in mathematical texts to signify addition and has since become a universal representation of positivity or gain.
  • In pop culture, 'plus' often appears in branding, such as streaming services (e.g., Disney+) to highlight added features or benefits.
  • The phrase 'on the plus side' is a common idiom used to redirect focus to the positive aspects of a situation.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with P

  • pacify — bring peace to or calm someone down
  • pacify — bring peace to or calm someone down
  • painstaking — done with careful attention to detail
  • painstaking — done with careful attention to detail
  • painstaking — Done with or employing great care and thoroughness
  • palpable — So intense as to seem almost tangible
  • palpable — tangible, perceptible, or clearly noticeable
  • palpable — tangible, perceptible, or clearly noticeable
  • paltry — of little monetary worth; trivial
  • paltry — of little monetary worth; trivial