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Calculate Common

Origin: Latin suffix -ate

Calculate has 7 different meanings across 1 category:

Verb

Definitions
Verb
1

make a mathematical calculation or computation

"She spent twenty minutes calculating the total cost of all her grocery items before checking out."

2

judge to be probable

"After seeing the heavy rain, I calculated that our picnic would have to be canceled."

3

keep an account of

"The accountant spent hours calculating every penny to ensure the company's books were perfectly balanced for the audit."

4

predict in advance

"The meteorologist calculated that a severe storm would hit the coast by Friday evening."

5

specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public

"The city planners decided to calculate a new weekend farmers' market that would specifically appeal to local families looking for fresh produce."

6

have faith or confidence in

"you can count on me to help you any time"

"Look to your friends for support"

"You can bet on that!"

"Depend on your family in times of crisis"

7

To determine the value of something or the solution to something by a mathematical process.

"She calculated the total cost of her groceries before reaching the checkout counter."

In plain English: To calculate means to figure out an answer by doing math.

"I need to calculate the total cost before I go to the checkout counter."

Usage: Use calculate to describe finding a numerical answer through math, such as computing costs or distances. Avoid using it for non-mathematical planning unless you specifically mean estimating figures rather than strategizing.

Example Sentences
"I need to calculate the total cost before I go to the checkout counter." verb
"I need to calculate how much change I should receive from my lunch bill." verb
"She calculated the time it would take to drive home after work." verb
"We must calculate our budget carefully before planning the vacation." verb
See Also
calculation incalculable uncalculatable pro rata cost miscalculate uncalculable tote
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
reason evaluate predict intend trust
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
quantize extract process prorate miscalculate recalculate average factor add subtract multiply divide interpolate differentiate integrate survey estimate budget capitalize resolve allow credit balance overbalance debit compound charge

Origin

The word "calculate" comes from the Latin calculatus, which originally meant to reckon or compute using small pebbles. It entered English through French, carrying with it this historical method of counting on stones before evolving into its modern mathematical sense.

Rhyming Words
ate bate late gate kate date wate cate rate nate oate sate tate jate hate mate fate yate agate skate
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