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

With four Republicans now signaling opposition or skepticism, the nomination could face mathematical elimination. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

The mathematical problems had already been solved by humans—and GPT-5 had simply uncovered the existing solutions to those problems. —Billy Perrigo, Time, 21 Oct. 2025

The 37% rule The mathematical question for Macy (or our would-be dater looking for love) concerns maximizing probabilities. —Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025

In short, a set of notoriously challenging mathematical problems first posed by the mathematician Paul Erdős. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 20 Oct. 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