add and supply share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. add means “make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of”. supply means “give something useful or necessary to”. add is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈæd/
1.v.make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
“We added two students to that dorm room”
2.v.state or say further
“`It doesn't matter,' he supplied”
3.v.bestow a quality on
“Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company”
/səˈplaɪ/
1.v.give something useful or necessary to
“We provided the room with an electrical heater”
2.v.circulate or distribute or equip with
“issue a new uniform to the children”
3.v.give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
“The hostess provided lunch for all the guests”
| add | supply | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈæd/ | /səˈplaɪ/ |
| Said | ad | suh-PLAHY |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| Letters | 3 | 6 |
| Parts of speech | verb, noun | verb, noun |
| Senses | 7 | 7 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | none recorded | provide, render, furnish |
Full entry for add · Full entry for supply · More comparisons