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 of mathematical

• 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

Many mathematical geniuses have been as celebrated for their eccentricity as for their work. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026

Key Takeaways Researchers developed a simplified mathematical model to explore how an extraterrestrial civilization might make its transmissions recognizable against the natural signals. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

The trefoil, known as the shape of the familiar Celtic knot, is one of the simplest mathematical knots. — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026

The report cited recent Stanford research showing that frontier models have saturated standard coding benchmarks and reached or even surpassed human baselines on complex scientific, mathematical and reasoning tasks. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

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
• catechol
• statical
• dogmatical
• fanatical
• grammatical
• sabbatical

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