Definition of 'calculating'

Word Frequency

calculating

(kælkjʊleɪtɪŋ )

adjective

If you describe someone as calculating, you disapprove of the fact that they deliberately plan to get what they want, often by hurting or harming other people.

[disapproval]

Northbridge is a cool, calculating and clever criminal who could strike again.

Synonyms: scheming, designing, sharp, shrewd More Synonyms of calculating

Word Frequency

calculating in British

(ˈkælkjʊˌleɪtɪŋ )

adjective

selfishly scheming

shrewd; cautious

Derived forms

calculatingly (ˈcalcuˌlatingly)

adverb

Word Frequency

calculating in American

(ˈkælkjəˌleɪtɪŋ ; kalˈkyəlātˌiŋ)

adjective

shrewd or cunning, esp. in a selfish way; scheming

performing calculations

Example sentences containing 'calculating'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

He glanced at his watch, calculating the hours left to kill. Mark Mills AMAGANSETT (2004)Jenny, I just couldn't get over the feeling that she was waiting, calculating, stalling in some way. Peter Robinson AFTERMATH (2004)The calculating Mr Livingstone, Arnold guessed, would be far more interested in profit than environment. Lewis, Roy A TROUT IN THE MILK (2004)

He slipped after a time into a kind of waking sleep, his mind lucid but frozen, contemplating nothing, calculating nothing. Robert Silverberg MAJIPOOR CHRONICLES (2004)

Trends of 'calculating'

In Common Usage. calculating is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

View usage for:

Translations for 'calculating'

British English: calculating ADJECTIVE

If you describe someone as calculating, you disapprove of the fact that they deliberately plan to get what they want, often by hurting or harming other people.

He is a cool, calculating and clever criminal who could strike again.