calculate
Americanverb (used with object)
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calculates,
present (3rd person singular)
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calculated,
past participle, past
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calculating
present participle
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to determine or ascertain by mathematical methods; compute.
to calculate the velocity of light.
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to determine by reasoning, common sense, or practical experience; estimate; evaluate; gauge.
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to make suitable or fit for a purpose; adapt (usually used passively and with an infinitive).
His remarks were calculated to inspire our confidence.
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Chiefly Northern U.S.
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to think; guess.
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to intend; plan.
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verb (used without object)
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calculates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
calculated,
past participle, past
-
calculating
present participle
-
to make a computation or form an estimate.
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to count or rely (usually followed by on orupon ).
They calculated on good weather.
verb
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to solve (one or more problems) by a mathematical procedure; compute
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(tr; may take a clause as object) to determine beforehand by judgment, reasoning, etc; estimate
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(tr; usually passive) to design specifically; aim
the car was calculated to appeal to women
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(intr; foll by on or upon) to depend; rely
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dialect (tr; may take a clause as object)
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to suppose; think
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to intend (to do something)
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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calculatesimple
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calculatessimple
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have calculatedperfect
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has calculatedperfect
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am calculatingprogressive
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are calculatingprogressive
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is calculatingprogressive
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have been calculatingperfect progressive
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has been calculatingperfect progressive
Past
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calculatedsimple
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had calculatedperfect
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was calculatingprogressive
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were calculatingprogressive
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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
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"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
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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:
A portion of its data is used alongside consumer-inflation numbers to calculate the price index of personal-consumption expenditures, the Fed’s preferred inflation metric.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
The changing climate and the continued destruction of our nature prevent that being a simple equation to calculate.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Scientists at Caltech and Yale University have developed a way to precisely calculate the Kondo effect in specific real materials, something that had not previously been possible.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026
This technique compares genetic differences among living species and combines them with fossil dates and estimated rates of evolutionary change to calculate when common ancestors may have lived.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026
The last time that they had helped her calculate her age, during the time of the banana company, she had estimated it as between one hundred fifteen and one hundred twenty-two.
From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The medical-cost ratio is a closely watched metric that calculates the percentage of health-insurance premium revenue that UnitedHealth spends on medical care.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
Nobody calculates how hungry they are with their entrée still twenty minutes away.
From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2026
Sarah Godwin calculates it cost her family's Wiltshire farm "over £100,000".
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
Wednesday's revisions to PCE data were due to planned methodological changes, including to how the BEA calculates prices for computer-related products, portfolio management and legal services.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
She calculates the Indian time on her hands.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
Participants were assigned to these groups based on their estimated Neu5Gc intake, calculated from all reported foods and their measured Neu5Gc content.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
“There’s 14.6 miles of paperwork, more than 4½ times the length of the line that is to be reinstated,” calculated Ben Hopkinson, head of infrastructure at the Centre for Policy Studies, a center-right think tank.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
The full impact of City's behaviour on other clubs could be calculated at £844m.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Furthermore, these fees could be calculated based on unrealized, “paper” gains.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
They watched the moon carefully and calculated calendar days with more fervor than when they added up their gambling tabs.
From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin
Von Foerster and his co-authors then projected these historical figures into the future, calculating that thanks to ever-increasing growth, in the year 2026 our numbers would near infinity.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026
When calculating total sea ice extent, scientists assume this region is covered by ice.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026
Australia’s Qantas, for example, earlier this year suspended its direct flight from Perth to London after calculating that the 17-hour flight wasn’t viable without flying through the Middle East.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026
Companies are also taking a hard look at pricier expedited orders, calculating whether some customers can wait or even if some can pick up their orders themselves.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
He’s sizing me up, calculating whether I’m really a threat.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
