Quick answer
Addendum means an addition or supplement to a document or text. It is usually pronounced uh-DEN-dum, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Addendum
Addendum means an addition or supplement to a document or text. It belongs to bureaucratic and academic absurdities and works best in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
bureaucraticacademicjargon
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, addendum refers to an addition or supplement to a document or text. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Addendum feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Addendum is generally traced to latin, “something to be added”. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Addendum is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
Example sentences
- The landlord sent an addendum to clarify the parking rules.
- After the meeting, the committee attached an addendum to the original proposal.
- The book’s paperback edition included an addendum on later events.
- What began as a memo acquired an addendum, then another, and finally a small annex.
When should you use this word?
Use addendum when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged.
Similar words
Appendix, Supplement, Postscript, Attachment, Addition
Opposite or contrasting words
Main text, Original version, Omission
Common questions
- What does addendum mean? An addition or supplement to a document or text.
- How do you pronounce addendum? It is commonly pronounced uh-DEN-dum.
- Is addendum still used today? Addendum is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
- When should you use addendum? Use addendum when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in satire, office complaints, and writing about systems that sound puffed up or overmanaged.
- What words are similar to addendum? Similar words include Appendix, Supplement, Postscript, and Attachment.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.