- present participle of calculate.
calculating
Americanadjective
-
capable of or made for performing calculations, especially arithmetical calculations.
a calculating machine.
-
a wise and calculating lawyer.
-
selfishly scheming.
a cold and calculating dictator.
- Synonyms:
- designing
adjective
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selfishly scheming
-
shrewd; cautious
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of calculating
First recorded in 1800–10; calculat(e) + -ing 2
Explanation
Someone who's calculating is scheming to get exactly what they want, no matter the cost to other people. A movie's calculating villain might be determined to steal his innocent victim's money. The adjective calculating originally meant simply "doing calculations," or in other words, doing math. It quickly took on a figurative meaning that's become its main definition, used for anyone who directs their intelligence and know-how toward ruthlessly getting the best of other people. Your brother's calculating smile is a sure sign he's up to no good.
Vocabulary lists containing calculating
The House of the Scorpion
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Novel Study: Of Mice and Men, Chapters 1–3
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Mississippi Trial, 1955
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We don’t use that number as a form of calculating how we compensate, because it can be fairly arbitrary,” Tiley said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Home prices also aren’t included—the Labor Department calculates housing prices by calculating how much it would cost owners to rent the homes they live in rather than what those homes would cost to buy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
Sherriff ordered the Labor Department to “promptly produce” a new methodology for calculating H-2A wage rates consistent with his decision.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
Let me give you the number you should be calculating instead.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
All my materials were spread out on the floor, and I was busy calculating the proper dimensions for my gameboard.
From "Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
