plus

/pləs/

/pləs/

Other forms: pluses

A plus is an “advantage” or an “asset.” You might look silly walking around with flippers all day, but if you lived underwater, they would definitely be a plus.

In Latin, the route plus means “more.” The word plus in English can have many senses, all relating to this idea of more, addition, or positive. This noun sense of the word means “a positive quality.” In the same way a number above zero on a number line is positive, and can use a plus sign, a plus is "a positive asset," like a superhero’s ability to fly or a spy’s ability to speak several languages.

Definitions of plus

1. adjective

   on the positive side or higher end of a scale
   “a plus value”

   “temperature of plus 5 degrees”

   “a grade of C plus”

   synonyms:

   nonnegative

   either positive or zero

   positive

   greater than zero

   antonyms:

   minus

   on the negative side or lower end of a scale

   negative

   less than zero
2. adjective

   involving advantage or good
   “a plus (or positive) factor”

   synonyms: positive

   advantageous

   giving an advantage
3. noun

   the arithmetic operation of summing; calculating the sum of two or more numbers
   “four plus three equals seven”

   synonyms: addition, summation

   type of:

   arithmetic operation

   a mathematical operation involving numbers
4. noun

   a useful or valuable quality
   synonyms: asset

   types:

   resource

   a source of aid or support that may be drawn upon when needed

   advantage, vantage

   the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

   forte, long suit, metier, speciality, specialty, strength, strong point, strong suit

   an asset of special worth or utility

   aid, assistance, help

   a resource

   recourse, refuge, resort

   something or someone turned to for assistance or security

   resourcefulness

   the quality of being able to cope with a difficult situation

   inner resource

   a resource provided by the mind or one's personal capabilities

   favor, favour

   an advantage to the benefit of someone or something

   leverage

   strategic advantage; power to act effectively

   handicap

   advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning

   homecourt advantage

   the advantage of playing on your home court in front of fans who are rooting for you

   lead

   an advantage held by a competitor in a race

   clout, pull

   special advantage or influence

   head start, start

   the advantage gained by beginning early (as in a race)

   gain, profit

   the advantageous quality of being beneficial

   preference

   grant of favor or advantage to one over another (especially to a country or countries in matters of international trade, such as levying duties)

   privilege

   a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

   expedience, expediency

   the quality of being suited to the end in view

   favorable position, favourable position, superiority

   the quality of being at a competitive advantage

   green fingers, green thumb

   a special ability to make plants grow

   good

   benefit

   advantageousness, favorableness, favourableness, positiveness, positivity, profitableness

   the quality of being encouraging or promising of a successful outcome

   tax advantage

   an advantage bestowed by legislation that reduces a tax on some preferred activity

   trump, trump card

   a final factor or resource that determines an outcome

   type of:

   quality

   an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone