Meaning & use

compute

verb·Everyday

To calculate or determine something, especially using mathematics or a computer.

See it in a sentence

The software can compute the total cost of the order in a fraction of a second.

It took the accountant an hour to compute the company's quarterly tax liability.

A note on using this word

Informally, it doesn't compute means an idea or explanation simply doesn't make sense, borrowed from the literal computing sense.

Words with a similar meaning

calculatereckon

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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