actuary
Americannoun
plural
actuaries-
Insurance. a person who computes premium rates, dividends, risks, etc., according to probabilities based on statistical records.
-
(formerly) a registrar or clerk.
noun
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:
Explanation
The person who calculates the risks for an insurance company or financial institution is an actuary. An actuary analyzes accident and life expectancy statistics to help the company set the price of insurance coverage. An actuary is a risk-management professional who works with mathematical probabilities and other accounting techniques. The current meaning of the word didn't come into use until 1772, although actuarial science had been in use long before that. (The first acknowledged U.S. actuary was Jacob Shoemaker in 1809.) Before that, the word actuary meant someone who was a registrar or clerk. It derives from the Latin word actuarius, "account-keeper," which in turn came from āctus, "public business."
Vocabulary lists containing actuary
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 14
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Here's Looking at Euclid
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
In the Country We Love
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Ronald Smith, a retired actuary who has written critically about the service, argues that the push reflects industry economics as much as participant outcomes.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026
“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 • Oct. 6, 2025
Sheri Scott, an actuary from Milliman, told the council that the firm estimated that losses from the Eaton fire ranged from $13.7 billion to $22.8 billion.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2025
She made good grades in her business classes and dreamed of becoming an actuary.
From Slate • Jun. 25, 2025
Only some spiritual actuary could make it quite clear, but he discerned the oneness behind the different members of his family, uniting them.
From The Promise of Air by Blackwood, Algernon
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.
