English Reference

Word

spreadsheet

Phoneticsspread·sheet, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈspɹɛdˌʃit/

UK/spɹˈɛdʃiːt/

Countable noun

Definition

n. a computer program or document that helps you organize numbers and information in rows and columns. It is very useful for doing math and keeping track of money.

n. a digital document or software application used for organizing, analyzing, and storing data in a tabular format. Information is arranged in a grid of cells, which can contain text, numbers, or formulas that calculate values automatically.

Examples

“I use a spreadsheet to track my monthly spending.”

“The accountant entered the quarterly sales figures into a spreadsheet to generate a chart for the meeting.”

“Modern business operations rely heavily on complex spreadsheets to model financial projections and manage inventory across multiple international warehouses.”

Examples

simple

“I use a spreadsheet to track my monthly spending.”

contextual

“The accountant entered the quarterly sales figures into a spreadsheet to generate a chart for the meeting.”

complex

“Modern business operations rely heavily on complex spreadsheets to model financial projections and manage inventory across multiple international warehouses.”

Usage

Commonly used with the verbs 'create', 'update', or 'manage'.

Etymology

From spread + sheet.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

Domain

Computing

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference