Reading Theme:
Address: Definitions, Common Uses & Example Sentences (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：physical location (address)
address
/əˈdres/
vt./n.
The specific details of where a person lives or where a building is located, used for sending mail or finding your way.
physical location
➕
/ˈfɪzɪkəl loʊˈkeɪʃən/
vt./n.
A specific description of where someone lives or a building is situated, used for mail delivery or navigation.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'directus' (direct). Means 'to direct (oneself) to'.
💡 Mnemonic
Send a LETTER to my ADDRESS. Direct a SPEECH to the AUDIENCE. Direct ATTENTION to a PROBLEM.
📖 Example
The delivery driver couldn't find the house because the address on the package was smudged and unreadable.
The delivery driver could not locate the house as the physical location details on the parcel were blurred and illegible.
🔗 Collocations
home address – the location where a person resides
email address – a unique identifier for sending electronic mail
change of address – the act of updating one's location information
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
anonymity (n.) – the state of being unknown or unidentified, lacking a specific location
🌱 Derivatives
addressee (n.) – the person to whom mail or a message is addressed
📖 Cultural Story
From Old French 'adrecier' ('to straighten, direct'), which came from Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'directus' (direct, straight). The noun sense ('location, direction') emerged in the 15th century from the verb. 'Addressing' an audience originates from directing speech towards them.
Meaning 2：to speak formally to (address)
address
/əˈdres/
vt./n.
To speak formally to a group of people, often giving a prepared speech.
to speak formally to
➕
/tuː spiːk ˈfɔːrməli tuː/
vt./n.
To speak formally to an audience, typically delivering a prepared or important speech.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The principal will address the entire school at the assembly this morning about the new library rules.
The headteacher will speak formally to all the students and staff gathered this morning regarding the updated library regulations.
🔗 Collocations
address the nation – to give a formal speech to the entire country, often by a leader
address a conference – to deliver a speech to the attendees of a conference
opening address – the formal speech that begins an event or ceremony
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
addresser (n.) – one who addresses an audience (less common)
Meaning 3：to deal with (address)
address
/əˈdres/
vt./n.
To start thinking about and dealing with a problem or task, trying to find a solution.
to deal with
➕
/tuː diːl wɪθ/
vt./n.
To give attention to and begin working on a problem, issue, or task in order to solve or manage it.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The software update aims to address the frequent crashing issue that many users have reported.
The new software version is designed to deal with the recurrent system failure problem that numerous users have complained about.
🔗 Collocations
address a problem – to take action to solve a specific issue
address concerns – to respond to and try to resolve people's worries
address the needs – to take steps to meet or fulfill specific requirements
🔄 Synonyms
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