math

math — noun

1. The study of numbers, shapes, measurements, and patterns — taught as a school su

1.nounA2
Definition

The study of numbers, shapes, measurements, and patterns — taught as a school subject and used for solving everyday problems.

Example

Nellie finished her math homework before dinner and helped her younger brother with his.

collocation: math homework

The math test on Friday covers fractions, decimals, and basic algebra.

collocation: math test

Common collocations
  • math homework
  • math test
  • math teacher
  • math class
  • math problem
  • study math
  • take math
  • teach math
Synonyms
  • mathematics

    the full, more formal term for the subject; 'math' is the common shortened form

  • arithmetic

    refers specifically to basic number operations, while 'math' covers a broader field including algebra and geometry

Usage Note

In British English, the equivalent word is 'maths' (e.g., 'maths homework'). 'Math' can also be used as a short written form for 'mathematical' (a math problem = a mathematical problem) or, very rarely, for 'mathematician'.

Common Mistakes

The math are difficult for me.
Math is difficult for me.
'Math' is uncountable and takes a singular verb in most contexts.
She studies math, physic, and chemistry.
She studies math, physics, and chemistry.
The subject is 'physics', not 'physic'.

2. The act of adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing numbers to find an answ

2.nounB1
Definition

The act of adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing numbers to find an answer or check whether something is correct.

Example

Yara did the math and realized she had enough for the bus ticket.

collocation: do the math

The waiter checked the math on the bill before bringing it to the table.

collocation: check the math

Common collocations
  • do the math
  • check the math
  • double-check the math
  • someone's math
  • according to someone's math
Synonyms
  • calculation

    more formal and refers to the process explicitly; 'math' is the everyday, informal term

  • arithmetic

    narrower — only basic operations; 'math' can include any kind of numerical work

  • sums

    British informal term for arithmetic problems, especially for children

Usage Note

In this sense, 'math' refers to the actual numerical work someone does, not the subject as a field. Often appears with possessive determiners: 'my math', 'your math'.

Common Mistakes

I made a math.
I did the math.' or 'I made a calculation.
'Math' is uncountable; you cannot say 'a math'.
She did the math and the numbers was wrong.
She did the math, and the numbers were wrong.
Subject-verb agreement: 'numbers' is plural, so use 'were'.
Idioms

do the math

idiom

To think carefully about the facts and figures in a situation in order to understand what will happen or what should be done.

When Yara saw that the rent was more than half her pay, she did the math and knew she needed a roommate.

The mayor told voters to do the math on the two tax plans before making up their minds.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Math' (American English) or 'maths' (British English) is the everyday informal word for the whole field of studying numbers, shapes, and patterns. 'Mathematics' is the formal name for the same field — you would see it in course titles ('Department of Mathematics') and academic writing, but rarely in casual conversation. 'Arithmetic' is narrower: it covers only basic operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing) with numbers, not algebra or geometry. A child learning to add and subtract is studying arithmetic; a high-school student studying equations and proofs is studying math. 'Calculations' refers to the specific numerical work someone does, not the subject itself: 'I checked my calculations twice' uses the word in its countable plural form, unlike 'math'. When in doubt, use 'math' for everyday speech about the subject in general and 'mathematics' for formal or academic contexts.

math ↗mathematics ↗arithmetic ↗calculations

Common collocations

Nouns

  • math problem
  • math class
  • math test
  • math teacher
  • math homework
  • math exam
  • math grade

Phrases

  • do the math
  • check the math
  • good at math
  • struggle with math

Prepositions

  • in math
  • at math
  • for math

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

'Math' is a shortened form of 'mathematics', which entered English from Latin 'mathematica', borrowed from Greek 'mathēmatikē' (relating to learning or study). The root 'math-' relates to 'manthanein' (to learn). The clipped form 'math' appeared in American English during the 19th century as an informal shortening, following a common pattern of reducing long words (compare 'gym' from 'gymnasium', 'lab' from 'laboratory'). British English prefers the form 'maths' from the same process.