calculate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
calculates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
calculated,
past participle, past
-
calculating
present participle
-
to determine or ascertain by mathematical methods; compute.
to calculate the velocity of light.
-
to determine by reasoning, common sense, or practical experience; estimate; evaluate; gauge.
-
to make suitable or fit for a purpose; adapt (usually used passively and with an infinitive).
His remarks were calculated to inspire our confidence.
-
Chiefly Northern U.S.
-
to think; guess.
-
to intend; plan.
-
verb (used without object)
-
calculates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
calculated,
past participle, past
-
calculating
present participle
-
to make a computation or form an estimate.
-
to count or rely (usually followed by on orupon ).
They calculated on good weather.
verb
-
to solve (one or more problems) by a mathematical procedure; compute
-
(tr; may take a clause as object) to determine beforehand by judgment, reasoning, etc; estimate
-
(tr; usually passive) to design specifically; aim
the car was calculated to appeal to women
-
(intr; foll by on or upon) to depend; rely
-
dialect (tr; may take a clause as object)
-
to suppose; think
-
to intend (to do something)
-
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
calculatesimple
-
calculatessimple
-
have calculatedperfect
-
has calculatedperfect
-
am calculatingprogressive
-
are calculatingprogressive
-
is calculatingprogressive
-
have been calculatingperfect progressive
-
has been calculatingperfect progressive
Past
-
calculatedsimple
-
had calculatedperfect
-
was calculatingprogressive
-
were calculatingprogressive
-
had been calculatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of calculate
First recorded in 1560–70; from Late Latin calculātus “reckoned,” past participle of calculāre “to reckon,” derivative of calculus “pebble”; see calculus
Explanation
To calculate is to compute, by figuring out a mathematical equation or a situation. You can calculate your monthly student loan payments, or calculate the risk of not paying them on time. Calculate derives from the Latin word for "count." When you calculate, you either count something up or calculate on something happening. You might be able to calculate the answer to a simple equation in your head but need a calculator to figure out a more complex problem. And when someone is calculating, they are scheming or conniving, always figuring out the fastest way to get ahead.
Vocabulary lists containing calculate
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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!
Pi Day Vocabulary
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!
"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
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:
Some calculate the metric aggressively to project strength, while others avoid citing a single headline figure to prevent conflating cash with credit lines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
At present bond markets calculate the chances of a hike in September at 62%
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
An earlier 12-day heatwave Hungary experienced in late June led to an estimated 304 excess deaths, climate data scientist Peter Szabo told AFP, using provisional mortality figures released earlier on Friday to calculate the number.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
For the future, the FIA is working on an update that would calculate expected car position in the case of an irregular refresh rate from the F1 timing system.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
"I only asked you for your name, dude, not how to calculate the speed of light. Still stumped?"
From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi
However, the World Bank calculates that while 14.2% of jobs in rich countries can be automated using generative AI, that is a threat faced by just 4.5% of jobs in developing economies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
The median stock trades at 22 times earnings, compared with 16 times for the equal-weight S&P 500, but that is a relative valuation near 10-year lows, Goldman calculates.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
He created a Pythagorean expectation formula, which Morey had once adapted for basketball, and calculates how often a team should have won based on how much it has scored and allowed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
But if that $3 million account is in tax-deferred accounts, they will together need to take a $113,208 RMD when they reach age 73 and will owe $28,951 in taxes, Reichenstein calculates.
From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026
Sometimes I think Garrett calculates the exact most awkward way to position his body in any given moment, and then he just goes for it.
From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli
Sentencing Murrell in June Lord Young said he had carried out a "calculated crime of dishonesty" but told the court he had been unable to identify a clear motive.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
This is less than half the average for a UK council with asylum seekers in non-hotel accommodation, if calculated as a share of its population.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
With our categorizations, we calculated the annualized 10-year return and volatility for each grouping.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Forbes’ estimations were calculated based on interviews with agents, lawyers, managers, executives, and other experts and did not take into consideration any shows that were broadcast live, only distributed on YouTube, or later syndicated.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026
His plan was to leave a single Greek behind in the deserted camp, primed with a tale calculated to make the Trojans draw the horse into the city—and without investigating it.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Consider the above chart, which plots three different ways of calculating the CPI:
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
Only after calculating the probability to be zero did he conduct his experiment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
In an unusually detailed sentencing statement, judge O'Grady noted that calculating punishment parts is "with good reason" much misunderstood by victims and members of the public.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
“Aemond is such a calculating character and everything he does is premeditated. He’s so in control of himself. I found myself offering up the same take every single take.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
If Tracy—Mom—hadn’t been there, I probably would have fought with Nadia, who was quite obviously calculating some unspoken communication about Julia and me maintaining our physical and emotional distance from each other.
From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith
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.
