actuary

noun

ac·​tu·​ary ˈak-chə-ˌwer-ē 

-shə-, 

-ˌwe-rē-

plural actuaries

1

obsolete : clerk, registrar

2

: a person who calculates insurance and annuity premiums, reserves, and dividends

Examples of actuary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The board’s unanimous vote came weeks after pension-plan actuaries confirmed the program would be cost-neutral, as state law requires. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

The actuary performs a variety of analytical and consultative tasks for the California Department of Insurance, along with providing support on special projects. —Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026

If Congress does not act by the fourth quarter of 2032, those benefits may be cut by 24%, based on projections from the Social Security Administration’s chief actuary. —Lorie Konish, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025

But consular officers are not actuaries or financial planners. —Raul A. Reyes, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin āctuārius "shorthand writer, keeper of accounts," alteration (with -u- from the u-stem action noun āctus) of *āctārius, from āctum "public transaction, record" + -ārius -ary entry 1 — more at act entry 1

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for actuary

• antiquary
• bolsheviki
• calliope
• chelicerae
• covenantee
• cruciferae
• diastole
• distributee
• hyperbole
• interviewee
• origami
• phonology

Kids Definition

actuary

noun

ac·​tu·​ary ˈak-chə-ˌwer-ē 

-shə-

plural actuaries

: a person who calculates insurance premiums and dividends

actuarial

ˌak-chə-ˈwer-ē-əl

adjective

Legal Definition

actuary

noun

ac·​tu·​ary ˈak-chə-ˌwer-ē, -shə- 

plural actuaries

: a person who calculates insurance and annuity premiums, reserves, and dividends