address to

address (oneself) to (someone or something)

1. To speak to a specific person or group at the exclusion of others. Right now, I'm only addressing myself to the graduating seniors. I'll talk to the other grades tomorrow.

2. To focus on a certain problem or situation. I needed to address myself to the burst pipe in my basement—that's why I didn't attend the dinner party.

See also: address, to

address (something) to (one)

1. To direct or express thoughts or opinions to a person or group. If you're trying to get donations for the school, address your speech to the parents, not the recent graduates. As these seem to be recurring issues, I need to address the complaints to my whole department.

2. To put the recipient's name and address on a package or envelope to be mailed. Penny addressed the package to her brother before taking it to the post office.

See also: address, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

address something to someone

to write someone's name and address on an envelope, package, letter, etc. Gilbert addressed the envelope to Walter.

See also: address, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

address to

v.

1. To indicate that something is to be sent to someone or some place by writing an address on it: She addressed the letter to her brother.

2. To say something directly to some specific person or group: The school president addressed the speech to everyone who plans to graduate this year.

3. To focus someone on a problem in order to find a solution. Used reflexively: In the next meeting, the town officials will address themselves to the issue of privacy.

See also: address, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.