arithmetic
Americannoun
-
the method or process of computation with figures: the most elementary branch of mathematics.
-
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.
-
a book on this subject.
adjective
noun
-
the branch of mathematics concerned with numerical calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
-
one or more calculations involving numerical operations
-
knowledge of or skill in using arithmetic
his arithmetic is good
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
arithmeticiannoun
-
nonarithmeticadjective
-
nonarithmeticaladjective
-
unarithmeticaladjective
-
arithmeticallyadverb
-
nonarithmeticallyadverb
-
unarithmeticallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing arithmetic
Expressions and Equations
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!
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
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!
"Be-ers and Doers" and "My Moment of Truth"
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.
See Examples For:
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
I was surprised to see that it made a simple arithmetic error early on, keeping more of my portfolio in cash than I had requested.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 5, 2026
However, I believe there may not be any single formulation of the fundamental theory any more than, as Godel showed, one could formulate arithmetic in terms of a single set of axioms.
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
The arithmetics of distance and time were not cheering either.
From Time Magazine Archive
There the interruption of commerce with the North compelled a resort to home production in school-book literature, and intensity of feeling upon sectional questions found frequent expression in spelling-books and arithmetics.
From Noah Webster American Men of Letters by Scudder, Horace E.
In the older arithmetics they contented themselves with doing "a certain piece of work."
From Literary Lapses by Leacock, Stephen
His name was Daboll, and he claimed to be descended from that ancient Connecticut maker of arithmetics and almanacs, Nathan Daboll.
From Confessions of Boyhood by Albee, John
London publishes millions of penny books, penny histories and biographies, penny arithmetics, astronomies and dictionaries, and penny books to teach good behavior, honor, and patriotism.
From The Harris-Ingram Experiment by Bolton, Charles E. (Charles Edward)
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.
