actuary

American  

[ak-choo-er-ee] / ˈæk tʃuˌɛr i /

noun

plural

actuaries

1. Insurance. a person who computes premium rates, dividends, risks, etc., according to probabilities based on statistical records.

2. (formerly) a registrar or clerk.

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actuary British  

/ ˌæktʃʊˈɛərɪəl, ˈæktʃʊərɪ /

noun

1. a person qualified to calculate commercial risks and probabilities involving uncertain future events, esp in such contexts as life assurance

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actuary Cultural  

1. A mathematician who uses statistics to calculate insurance premiums.

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Other Word Forms

• actuarial adjective
• actuarian adjective

Etymology

Origin of actuary

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin āctuārius “shorthand writer, clerk,” variant (with u of the action noun āctus act ) of āctārius ( āct(a) “deeds, documents” + -ārius -ary )

Compare meaning

How does actuary compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• actuary vs. accountant

Example Sentences

Knowing that he’s a senior partner at an actuary firm and has an analytical mind, I was eager to hear his strategy for airline frequent-flyer status.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Stroup is a healthcare actuary and the former chief financial officer of Verity Solutions, a healthcare software provider.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We just want to make sure the companies have enough money to pay claims,” said Fred Andersen, Minnesota’s chief life actuary, who is leading the initiative.

From The Wall Street Journal

Amid ongoing economic uncertainty, the federal government remains one of the country’s most active employers, with open roles for nurses, actuaries, physicists, engineers and IT professionals listed at USAJobs.gov.

From Salon

Every investor, actuary or corporate risk manager understands that it is the element of not knowing that creates the impetus to invest in mitigating risks and adapting to those that remain.

From Salon

Related Words

• analyst
• auditor
• bookkeeper
• clerk