calculate

calculate — verb

1. to find a total, size, distance, or other figure by doing math with the numbers

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to find a total, size, distance, or other figure by doing math with the numbers or facts you have.

Example

Bao calculated the cost of the trip before booking the train tickets.

calculate + cost/amount

The phone app calculates the taxi fare from the airport to town.

Common collocations
  • calculate the cost
  • calculate the total
  • calculate the distance
  • calculate how much
  • calculate that
Synonyms
  • work out

    the usual everyday choice for finding a number by thinking or doing math

  • compute

    more formal or technical, especially in science or computing

  • total

    used when the focus is adding amounts to get a final sum

Grammar Patterns

calculate + noun

calculate how much / how many / what

calculate that + clause

Usage Note

Common objects are costs, totals, distances, times, and weights. Unlike sense 2, this sense aims at a figure worked out from numbers rather than a reasoned guess about a situation.

Common Mistakes

We calculated about the price before dinner.
We calculated the price before dinner.
'calculate' takes a direct object here, not 'about'.
The app calculated us how far the beach is.
The app calculated how far the beach is.
use a clause after 'calculate', not an indirect object.

2. to decide from the facts you have what is probably true or likely to happen.

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveC1
Definition

to decide from the facts you have what is probably true or likely to happen.

Example

From the empty shelves, Leila calculated that the cafe had already closed.

calculate that + clause from clues

After two warning letters, Ines calculated there was real danger of losing her job.

Common collocations
  • calculate that
  • calculate there is a risk
  • calculate how many will come
  • calculate the chances
Synonyms
  • estimate

    close in meaning, especially when the answer is not exact

  • judge

    broader and less tied to weighing facts step by step

  • reckon

    common in British English for a personal judgment or expectation

  • predict

    focuses more strongly on what will happen in the future

Grammar Patterns

calculate that + clause

calculate how much / how many / what

calculate + clause expressing a likely result

Usage Note

Often followed by a full clause stating the judgment. Distinguish from sense 1: here the result is an informed estimate or conclusion, not an exact numerical answer.

Common Mistakes

Mina calculated to be a storm by night.
Mina calculated that there would be a storm by night.
this sense usually takes a clause, not 'to + verb'.
The coach calculated for the team to win easily.
The coach calculated that the team would win easily.
use a statement clause after 'calculate' when reporting your judgment.

3. to be planned, shaped, or chosen so that it suits a certain use, group, or resul

3.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to be planned, shaped, or chosen so that it suits a certain use, group, or result.

Example

The museum labels are calculated for visitors with weak eyesight.

be calculated for + group

The speech was calculated to calm angry parents at the meeting.

be calculated to + verb

Common collocations
  • calculated to impress
  • calculated to calm
  • calculated for children
  • calculated for night workers
Synonyms
  • designed

    the most direct everyday equivalent

  • intended

    focuses on the purpose someone has in mind

  • tailored

    suggests careful adjustment for a particular group or need

Grammar Patterns

be calculated to + verb

be calculated for + noun

Usage Note

Mostly seen in formal writing and usually in the passive: something is 'calculated to' produce an effect or 'calculated for' a group. Distinguish from sense 2, where no one is deliberately shaping the thing described.

Common Mistakes

The notice was calculated for warn drivers.
The notice was calculated to warn drivers.
use 'to + verb' when naming the intended effect.
This game calculates children under six.
This game is calculated for children under six.
this sense is usually passive and shows the target group with 'for'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Calculate' usually suggests using numbers or known facts in a fairly exact way. 'Work out' is the everyday alternative and is the one many learners use first: you can work out a bill, a distance, or how much paint to buy. 'Compute' is more formal and common in technical, scientific, or computer contexts. 'Estimate' is different because it allows a rough answer when you do not need full accuracy. 'Figure out' is broader still: you can figure out a number, but also a problem, a plan, or someone's motive. So you calculate a tax bill, estimate the crowd size, compute a data result, and figure out why the printer stopped working.

calculate ↗work out ↗compute ↗estimate ↗figure out ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • calculate the cost
  • calculate the total
  • calculate the risk

Adverbs

  • carefully calculate
  • quickly calculate
  • roughly calculate

Phrases

  • calculate that...
  • calculate how much...
  • be calculated to...
  • be calculated for...

Prepositions

  • calculate from
  • calculate for

Etymology

LatinMiddle EnglishModern English

'Calculate' came into English from Latin 'calculare', a verb built on 'calculus', meaning a small stone or pebble. Pebbles were once used for counting, so the word first had the simple idea of doing arithmetic. From that base, English later extended it to careful estimation and, in formal use, to planning something so that it produces a chosen effect.