address

USAD-res/ˈæd.ɹɛs/UKuh-DRES/əˈdɹɛs/

As a verbuh-DRES

Pluraladdresses

Verbaddresses, addressing, addressed

22 meanings of address

Practice

1
nouncountable
The number, street, and town where a building is, used for finding it or sending letters there.
Like a label on a package that tells the mail carrier exactly where to go.
Please write your full address at the top of the form.
She memorized her new address before moving day.
UsageSay she lives at this address. Spell it with dd and ss.
Note
2
deal withverbformaltransitive
To talk about a problem or subject, or try to deal with it.
Like fixing a leaky pipe instead of just ignoring the drip.
The new policy aims to address rising housing costs.
We must address these safety concerns before reopening.
UsageSay address a problem, without to or about before the problem.
Similartackle, handle, confront
Oppositeignore, neglect, avoid
Note
3
internet (email)nouncountable
A set of letters or numbers that points to a place on a network, like an email or website.
Like a phone number, but for computers: it tells data where to go.
Every device on the network has a unique address.
She copied the address into her browser to load the page.
Note
4
speechnouncountable
A speech given to a group of people.
The senator delivered a powerful address to the assembly.
His farewell address moved many in the audience to tears.
UsageYou give an address. A keynote address is the main speech.
Similarspeech, oration, talk, lecture
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5
verbtransitive
To speak or write to a person or group, often formally.
The principal will address the students at noon.
She rose to address the crowd before the vote.
UsageSay address the crowd. You address a teacher by name.
Note

Less common meanings

6
write on envelopeverbtransitive
To write the name and place on a letter or package.
Like writing where a letter should go before you drop it in the mailbox.
Please address the envelope before you mail it.
She addressed the package to her grandmother in Ohio.
UsageSay address a letter to someone.
7
manner of speakingnoununcountable
The way a person speaks or writes to others.
'Your Honor' is the proper form of address for a judge.
She was known for her gracious address in difficult meetings.
UsageA form of address is what you call someone when speaking or writing to them, such as Dr Lee.
Similarmanner, demeanor, bearing
8
memory locationnouncountable
A number that shows where something is kept in a computer's memory.
Like the number on a locker that tells you which one holds your things.
The program saved the value at a new address in memory.
Each byte of memory has its own address.
Note
9
verbtransitive
To start working hard on a job or task.
The mayor addressed herself to the housing crisis as soon as she took office.
Volunteers should address themselves to the cleanup before the storm hits.
UsageSay address yourself to a job.
Similarapply, devote, dedicate, commit
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10
access memoryverbtransitive
To point to a place in a computer's memory.
The chip can address up to four gigabytes of memory.
The processor addresses each location through the system bus.
Note
11
nouncountable
An official statement, request, or reply presented to a king, queen, or other head of state.
Like writing an official letter to the most important person in the country.
Parliament sent a formal address to the king asking for reform.
Lawmakers sent a written address to the queen asking for help.
Similarpetition, appeal
Note
12
set up (golf)verbtransitive
To stand and set your club next to the ball, ready to hit it.
Like lining up a pool cue behind the ball before you take your shot.
She stepped up to address the ball on the first tee.
She addressed the ball and took a slow, deep breath.
UsageSay address the ball: get ready to hit it.
Note
13
golf stancenoun
In golf, getting your club into position next to the ball, just before you swing.
His address was steady, with the clubhead resting just behind the ball.
The coach checked her address before letting her swing.
Similarsetup
Note
14
verbarchaictransitive
To try to win someone's love by courting them.
Similarwoo, court, romance, solicit
Note
15
nounarchaicplural
A polite or romantic approach made to another person.
Note
16
nounarchaic
The skill and quick thinking needed to handle a task well.
At their turning-lathes, they employ their toes to guide the chisel; and, in these pedipulations, shew to Europeans a diverting degree of address.
1813, “Customs, Manners, and present Appearance of Constantinople”, in The New Annual RegisterHere, address means skill, being clever and good at handling a task.
The warmth of Father Pedro's constitution had formerly drawn him into some scrapes from which it required all his address to disengage himself, and rendered him exceedingly cautious ever after.
1789, John Moore, Zeluco
Note
17
verbarchaictransitive
To put clothes on someone or get them dressed.
Similardress, clothe, attire, array, robe
Note
18
verbobsoletetransitive
To point or aim something in a certain direction.
And this good knight his way with me addrest.
1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, addrest means directed, so the knight turned his steps toward the same way.
Note
19
verbobsoleteintransitive
In old use, to get yourself or something ready.
Let us address to tend on Hector's heels.
c. 1602, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”Here, address means to get ready, so they prepare to follow Hector.
Note
20
nounobsolete
The act of getting yourself ready before you start a task.
But now again she makes address to speak.
1671, John Milton, Samson AgonistesHere, address means getting ready, so she prepares herself to speak.
Note
21
nounobsolete
Help and guidance given to a person who needs it.
Note
22
verbdated
To send goods to someone who will take care of them for you.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of address apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old French adrecier meaning "to straighten," which came from Latin words for "straight" and "to direct."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

Address derives from Old French adrecier. en.wiktionary.org
Old French adrecier meant “to straighten.” en.wiktionary.org
Its Latin ancestry includes words meaning “straight” and “to direct.” en.wiktionary.org