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address

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verb [transitive] American English pronunciation: address /əˈdres/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyaddress
he/she/itaddresses
present participleaddressing
past tenseaddressed
past participleaddressed
  1. 1
    to write the name and address of a particular person or organization on an envelope, package, etc.

    Would you help me address these envelopes?

    address something to someone:

    This letter is addressed to Alice McQueen.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  addressThesaurus entry for this meaning of address
  2. 2
    to speak publicly to a group of people

    to address a meeting/conference/audience/assembly

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  addressThesaurus entry for this meaning of address
    1. a.
      formal to speak directly to someone who is with you

      He turned his head to address me.

      address something to someone:

      Throughout the conversation, he addressed his remarks to my husband.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  addressThesaurus entry for this meaning of address
    2. b.
      to call someone a particular name or title when you speak to them

      We were all addressed by our last name.

      His stepchildren address him as “Mr. H.”

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  addressThesaurus entry for this meaning of address
  3. 3
    to try to deal with a problem or question, for example by thinking carefully about it, or by doing things to improve a situation

    Governments have been slow to address the problem of global warming.

    A number of issues are being addressed.

    address yourself to something:

    We need to address ourselves to the question of cost.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  addressThesaurus entry for this meaning of address
  4. 4
    to officially tell a particular person or organization your complaints, questions, or comments
    address something to someone:

    All inquiries should be addressed to the head office.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  addressThesaurus entry for this meaning of address

This is the American English definition of address. View British English definition of address.

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