# ROC

/ˈɹɑk/ (US) · /ɹˈɒk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/roc
Updated: 2026-05-10

## Definition

Stands for Receiver Operating Characteristic. A graph that shows how well a test or computer model can tell two things apart. It helps you see the balance between finding the right results and making mistakes.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Receiver Operating Characteristic. A graphical plot that illustrates the diagnostic ability of a binary classifier system as its discrimination threshold is varied. It plots the true positive rate against the false positive rate at various threshold settings.

## Examples

- The researcher used an ROC curve to evaluate the new medical test.
- By analyzing the ROC curve, the data scientist determined the optimal threshold for the fraud detection algorithm.
- A high area under the ROC curve indicates that the model is highly effective at distinguishing between patients with the condition and those without it.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the phrase 'ROC curve'; the acronym stands for Receiver Operating Characteristic.

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