English Reference
adjective · verb

calculating

adj. · v.
US /ˈkæɫkjəˌɫeɪtɪŋ/ UK /kˈælkjʊlˌeɪtɪŋ/ cal·cu·lat·ing

  1. 01 C1 Advanced Formal

    adj.planning things very carefully to get an advantage for yourself, often in a way that seems cold or dishonest.

    adj.acting in a cold, analytical manner to further one's own interests, often at the expense of others.

    Simple

    He is a calculating businessman who only helps people if it benefits him.

    In context

    The protagonist's calculating nature allowed her to navigate the corporate hierarchy, though it eventually cost her the trust of her closest colleagues.

    Usage

    Usually carries a negative connotation regarding a person's character.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate Math

    v.the act of using numbers to find an answer.

    v.the present participle of 'calculate', referring to the process of determining a mathematical or logical result.

    Simple

    She sat at her desk, calculating the total cost of the trip.

    In context

    After calculating the projected risks, the analysts recommended that the firm delay the launch until market conditions stabilized.

    Usage

    Functions as the continuous form of the verb or as a gerund.

Murthy analyzed the satellite data by first calculating the distance between each GPS location and the original banding point.

Phys.org· 29 Aug 2026

Even for a device containing more than 1 billion nanostructures, its overall properties can be analyzed by calculating only a small unit consisting of several tens of nanostructures.

Phys.org· 4 Sept 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated