plusses

Pluses is the standard plural form of the noun plus in modern English. Plus has several senses: it can denote a mathematical sign used for addition, the operation of adding two numbers, or a figurative meaning such as an added benefit or advantage. When referring to multiple additions or advantages, writers typically use pluses.

Plusses is a recognized but much less common variant plural. The form arises by analogy with other nouns that take an -s plural after an -e ending, and it appears in some older or regional texts. Most contemporary usage and major dictionaries list pluses as the preferred plural, while plusses may be found in historical documents or in specific stylistic contexts.

Etymologically, plus comes from Latin plus, meaning “more.” The plural is formed in English with -es in many cases, yielding pluses as the standard form in everyday writing. The variant plusses reflects historical spelling patterns and regional preference, but it is generally considered nonstandard in modern style guides.

In practice, examples include: “The plan has several pluses, including lower costs and easier maintenance.” In mathematical contexts, one would normally not pluralize plus when referring to the operation itself (e.g., “2 plus 3,” not “2 plusses 3”). Both forms may appear in text, but pluses is the safer, more widely accepted choice today. Writers choosing between them should be guided by consistency and the conventions of their style guide.