Word
compute
Meanings
to calculate or work out a numerical result from given information
to process data using a computer to produce a result
Definition
To compute means to calculate a result using numbers or data, often with the help of a machine.
To compute is to work out an answer by doing calculations, either mentally or using a device. In everyday and academic contexts, it often refers to processing data to produce a result. It can describe quick arithmetic as well as complex calculations done by computers.
Examples
- I had to compute the total travel time, including the layover, before I booked the connection.
- You can compute the percentage change quickly if you compare the new figure with the old one.
- He used a spreadsheet to compute the average response time across the entire week.
- She wrote a short script to compute the distance between each pair of locations in the dataset.
- They compute the final score by combining accuracy, speed, and consistency in a single formula.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse compute with count, but compute emphasizes calculation rather than simply finding how many items there are.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.