mathematical

adjective

math·​e·​mat·​i·​cal ˌmath-ˈma-ti-kəl 

ˌma-thə-

variants or less commonly mathematic

ˌmath-ˈma-tik 

ˌma-thə-

1

: of, relating to, or according with mathematics

2

a

: rigorously exact : precise

b

: certain

3

: possible but highly improbable

only a mathematical chance

mathematically

ˌmath-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌma-thə-

adverb

Synonyms

• accurate
• precise
• rigorous

Examples of mathematical in a Sentence

They recorded the changes with mathematical precision.

The team has only a mathematical chance of making the play-offs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tolkowsky, a Belgian mathematician from a diamond-cutting family, was the first to detail the mathematical principles for maximizing a round brilliant diamond’s sparkle and brilliance. —Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025

The first part is the bedrock deep beneath the tower, which is made of hard mathematical problems. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 25 July 2025

Such fevered speculation cannot be disproved like a mathematical theorem. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2025

Reed is an inventor of immense intelligence who thinks in mathematical equations yet often has difficulty expressing himself emotionally. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mathematicalle, from Latin mathematicus, from Greek mathēmatikos, from mathēmat-, mathēma learning, mathematics, from manthanein to learn; probably akin to Goth mundon to pay attention

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mathematical

• mathematical expectation
• mathematical induction
• mathematical logic

Rhymes for mathematical

• emblematical
• enigmatical
• kinematical
• problematical
• ungrammatical
• dogmatical
• fanatical
• grammatical
• sabbatical
• statical

Kids Definition

mathematical

adjective

math·​e·​mat·​i·​cal ˌmath-ə-ˈmat-i-kəl 

math-ˈmat-

1

: of, relating to, or according with mathematics

2

: very exact

mathematical precision

mathematically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb