ENGLISH
REFERENCE

calculate

v.
US //ˈkæɫkjəˌɫeɪt// UK //kˈælkjʊlˌeɪt// cal·cu·late
  1. 1 to do math (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Math

    to find a number or an answer by using mathematics.

    to determine a numerical value or solution through mathematical processes.

    Example

    You need to calculate the total cost of the trip before you book the hotel.

    Example

    The software is designed to calculate complex interest rates across multiple currencies in real time.

    Usage

    Often used with a direct object or a 'that' clause.
  2. 2 to judge or predict (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to think carefully about a situation to predict what will happen.

    to assess or predict the consequences of an action through logical analysis or foresight.

    Example

    The company had to calculate the risks of opening a new store during the recession.

    Example

    The general carefully calculated the potential for civilian casualties before ordering the strike.

    Usage

    Commonly used in business and political contexts regarding risk.
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  1. 3 chess strategy (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Sport

    to imagine future moves in a game like chess without moving the pieces.

    to mentally simulate sequences of potential moves and responses in a strategic game.

    Example

    The grandmaster sat in silence for ten minutes to calculate the endgame.

    Example

    In high-level play, the ability to calculate deep variations is often what separates masters from amateurs.
  2. 4 to intend or plan (v.)
    C2 Proficiency American English Dialect

    to intend, plan, or expect to do something.

    to intend or suppose; used to express a plan or a personal opinion about a future event.

    Example

    I calculate we'll be arriving at the farm just before supper.

    Example

    He calculated to leave by dawn, though the heavy rains made the mountain passes look treacherous.

    Teacher's tip

    This usage is largely restricted to specific regional dialects in the United States and may sound old-fashioned or rural to modern ears.
Origin

Borrowed from Latin calculātus, perfect passive participle of calculō (“to reckon, compute, calculate”, originally by means of pebbles) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from calculus (“a pebble”), further from calx (“limestone”, calc- in compounds) + -ulus (forms diminutives).

Word family

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