calculating

Everyday

1. The -ing form of «calculate»: working something out with numbers: «I'm calculating the total.» tree →
2. (of a person) Cold and sneaky, always planning how to get what they want, often by tricking others: «a calculating villain». tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons «calculating» is doing the sums: calculating area, calculating change. In stories «calculating» describes a sly, scheming character, often a villain or a fox. Phrases: «calculating machine», «a cold, calculating look».

Examples

• I'm calculating how much pocket money I'll have by summer. tree →
• The calculating fox tricked the crow out of her cheese. tree →
• Calculating the area of a rectangle is easy: length times width. tree →
• She gave him a cold, calculating look. tree →
• Early calculating machines were huge. tree →
• Use a calculator when calculating big numbers. tree →

Note

As a verb form it is neutral; as an adjective for people it is negative (sly, scheming). Noun: calculation; tool: calculator.