arithmetic

American  

[uh-rith-muh-tik, ar-ith-met-ik] / əˈrɪθ mə tɪk, ˌær ɪθˈmɛt ɪk /

noun

arithmetics plural

1. the method or process of computation with figures: the most elementary branch of mathematics.

2. Also called theoretical arithmetic.  Also called higher arithmetic,.  the theory of numbers; the study of the divisibility of whole numbers, the remainders after division, etc.

3. a book on this subject.

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adjective

1. Also arithmetical. of or relating to arithmetic.

arithmetic British  

/ əˈrɪθmətɪk /

noun

1. the branch of mathematics concerned with numerical calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

2. one or more calculations involving numerical operations

3. knowledge of or skill in using arithmetic

   his arithmetic is good

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or using arithmetic

arithmetic Scientific  

/ ə-rĭth′mĭ-tĭk /

1. The mathematics of integers, rational numbers, real numbers, or complex numbers under the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• arithmetician
  noun
• nonarithmetic
  adjective
• nonarithmetical
  adjective
• unarithmetical
  adjective
• arithmetically
  adverb
• nonarithmetically
  adverb
• unarithmetically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• arithmetics
  plural

Etymology

Origin of arithmetic

1200–50; < Latin arithmētica, feminine singular of arithmēticus < Greek arithmētikḗ ( téchnē ) (art, skill) of numbers, equivalent to arithmé ( ein ) to reckon + -t ( o )- verbal adjective + -ikḗ -ic; replacing Middle English arsmet ( r ) ike < Old French arismetique < Medieval Latin arismētica, with s for Late Greek th

Explanation

Arithmetic is another word for math, specifically the areas of math having to do with numbers and calculating. If you're good at adding, subtracting, dividing, and multiplying, then you're good at arithmetic, which is a big part of math. Arithmetic has to do with doing calculations. To answer most math problems, including almost all word problems, you need arithmetic. The most basic arithmetic is 2 plus 2, but as anyone who's ever taken algebra can tell you, it can get a lot more complicated than that.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

arithmetic arithmetics

You can do the arithmetic: about 20 curves per mile, speed limit 15 mph.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026

It is being forced to, the way a homeowner under water on his mortgage does not so much decide to sell as get evicted by the arithmetic.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

Many competitive colleges that dropped the SAT or ACT have restored it because too many incoming students can’t do basic arithmetic or read any but the simplest texts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

The cause wasn’t ideology but arithmetic: The old bargain of household specialization—one spouse in the market, one in the home, concentrating where they were most productive—became unaffordable as women’s earnings rose.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026

She could practically see Daddy’s arithmetic getting ready to start working.

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen

The arithmetics of distance and time were not cheering either.

From Time Magazine Archive

Woodward High School had been endowed and Dr. Joseph Ray, the author of the well known arithmetics, was the professor of mathematics there.

From A History of the McGuffey Readers by Vail, Henry Hobart

The frequency of appearance in the first fifty pages of eight beginners' arithmetics was as shown in Table 9.

From The Psychology of Arithmetic by Thorndike, Edward L. (Edward Lee)

No other arithmetics are more modern in every respect.

From A History of the Philippines by Barrows, David P.

To accompany 1948 revision of Study arithmetics, book 7.

From U.S. Copyright Renewals, 1975 January - June by Library of Congress. Copyright Office

Related Words

• calculation
• computation