DictionaryAI

math

MATH/mæθ/

Pluralmaths (some meanings)

Verbmaths, mathing, mathed

UK spellingmaths

5 meanings of math

Practice

  1. 1
    nounCanadaPhilippinesUSuncountableabbreviationclipping
    Short for mathematics: the study of numbers, quantities, shapes, and the relationships between them.

    He earned a degree in math before switching to finance.

    Modern cryptography relies on math developed centuries ago.

    Note

    The everyday short form of mathematics in American, Canadian and Philippine English. It covers both the discipline and a person's own skill with numbers. It sits easily in a list of school subjects, as in the Guelph Mercury's 2002 line about having "more interest in math, science, and women."

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

    • The Guelph Mercury published the quoted words “more interest in math, science, and women” in 2002. en.wiktionary.org
  2. 2
    arithmeticnouncolloquialCanadaPhilippinesUSuncountable
    Arithmetic calculations; the figuring with numbers behind a total, estimate, or conclusion.

    If you do the math, driving costs more than flying for this trip.

    I checked the math on the bill and found we had been overcharged.

    UsageSet phrases: do the math (work out the figures, often as a challenge) and check your math.

    Similararithmetic, calculations, numbers, figures, sums

  3. 3
    verbcolloquialintransitive
    To work something out with numbers; also, of figures or an argument, to add up or make sense, as in 'the numbers don't math'.

    Let me math real quick before I tell you whether the budget covers it.

    She sat at the kitchen table, mathing her way through the loan paperwork.

    UsagePopular in the joking phrase the math isn't mathing, said when something seems wrong.

    Similarcalculate, compute, figure

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    SayMUT/mʌt/
    Hindu monasterynounabbreviationclipping
    Short for matha: a Hindu or Jain monastery, where monks live, study, and teach under a spiritual leader.

    Pilgrims stopped at the math to receive the guru's blessing.

    The math has trained Sanskrit scholars for over three centuries.

    Note

    A third word with the same spelling, short for matha: a monastic or similar religious house in Hinduism and Jainism. It is usually more formal and hierarchical than an ashram, and that difference is the useful line between the two words. The clipping carries only this religious meaning of matha, not its New York slang sense of "head".

    Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

    • A separate English word math is a shortening of matha. en.wiktionary.org
    • Matha denotes a monastic or similar religious establishment in Hinduism and Jainism. en.wiktionary.org
    • A matha is usually more formal and hierarchical than an ashram. en.wiktionary.org
    • Matha has a separate New York slang sense meaning head; the recorded religious shortening belongs to its other etymology. en.wiktionary.org
  2. 5
    noundialectalUK
    A mowing of grass or hay, or the crop gathered from a single mowing.

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Origins

Meanings 1–3

A clipping of "mathematics."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

Meaning 4

A contraction of "matha."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

  • Math, in its religious-establishment sense, is a contraction of matha. en.wiktionary.org