plus

"Plus" is a small word that often means "and" or "in addition to." You can use it for numbers, as in "two plus three," but also for extra things, like "a room plus breakfast." It can also mean "more than," as in "ten people plus," which means at least ten. In everyday English, it may point to a good extra point too, like the "plus side" of a hard situation. You will also see it as the name of the math sign (+).

The word "plus" has several related meanings, and they all connect to the idea of adding something or having something extra. Most often, it means "and," "with," or "in addition to." For example, you might say, "The hotel offers dinner plus breakfast," or "Two plus three makes five." In both cases, the idea is simple: one thing is being added to another.

It can also mean more than a stated number or amount. If a class has "twenty students plus," that means there are at least twenty students, and maybe more. In this use, it gives a lower limit without naming the exact final number.

Another common use appears in phrases about benefits and good points. The "plus side" of something is its good or helpful part. If someone says, "The plus side is that we learned from the mistake," they are focusing on the advantage in an otherwise difficult situation. A person can also be called "a real plus" for a group or team, meaning they bring something helpful or valuable.

You will also see "plus" used as the name of the symbol "+", especially in math and basic instructions.

So whether it is joining numbers, adding an extra thing, showing that an amount is higher, or pointing to a benefit, "plus" carries the sense of something added on.