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to calculate

to calculate

210 2.8
To work out an amount using maths or a calculator
  • verb
  • /ˈkælkjʊˌleɪt/
translation icon : calcular
  • You can calculate your total expenses by adding up all your receipts.
  • calculate using
  • calculate the size
  • calculate scores

And that's the way to calculate the Doppler shift.

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Examples

  • But now we're going to get into exactly how to calculate your fall planting time.

  • Suppose you're throwing a stone and you calculate where it falls using Newton's laws.

  • The way you do that is you calculate the the chance of not getting it.

  • This is how you calculate interest rates on mortgages.

  • How did we first calculate the speed of light in a vacuum?

  • They said that this is great to calculate tips at restaurants.

  • They were able to calculate the precise moment of this event.

  • From the running record data, teachers can also calculate the self-correction rate and the accuracy rate.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The counselor reviews the daily behavior report card and calculates the percentage of points earned.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Figure 4 provides directions for four different ways to calculate the Flesch-Kincaid test of readability.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

to figure
vsto calculate
3.8

To think about something to find an answer

is limited to finding numbers using mathematics rather than general thought
to determine
vsto calculate
781 2.3

To find out a fact by checking or measuring

focuses specifically on using mathematics to find numerical results
to work out
vsto calculate
122 2.8

To calculate a number or total from given facts

is about finding things by mathematics or systematic methods
to do the math
vsto calculate
  • US
71 4.4

Calculate the numbers to see if something is worth it

applies to finding numbers by mathematics regardless of practical judgement
to compute
vsto calculate
58 4.0

To calculate numbers, often using a computer or calculator

is about finding numbers or results using mathematics or methods
to reckon
vsto calculate
14 4.0

To calculate an amount or number

focuses on precise mathematical finding rather than rough estimation
to calc
vsto calculate
  • Informal
1 6.8

To work out numbers quickly in your head

is the neutral term for determining amounts by numbers or methods
to do the numbers
vsto calculate
1 4.8

To calculate the money and costs to see if something is affordable

is the general act of finding numbers not limited to finance
to cypher
vsto calculate
  • Archaic
8.1

To work out calculations with numbers

is broader, covering any method of finding numbers or results
to cipher
vsto calculate
  • Archaic
9.9

To do sums with numbers

is the modern general term for finding numbers or results

How Precise

to compute
58 4.0
to calculate
210 2.8
estimate
370 2.6

Surface Forms

calculate infinitive
calculated past
calculated past participle
calculating present participle
calculates third person singular

Morphology

calculate = calcul + ate

The verb-forming suffix '-ate' is productive and the sense 'determine using mathematics' aligns with the Latinate root 'calcul-' (count/compute), but 'calcul-' is not a standalone English word, so learners cannot fully derive the meaning from components alone.

Etymology

Calculate comes from the Latin word calculus, which means 'small stone' that people once used to count. The same root is in calculator, so to calculate is to work out numbers as if you were counting with little stones.