Math
/mæθ/noun
Informal short form of mathematics, the study of numbers, quantities, and structures.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek roots tied to learning and knowledge, which is why mathematics originally meant something closer to “the thing you learn.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
máthēma
“that which is learned; a lesson; knowledge”
Late Greek
Greek
mathēmatiká
“mathematical sciences”
Late Latin
Latin
mathematica
“mathematics”
Middle English
English
mathemes
“mathematics, learning”
Modern English
English
math
“informal short form of mathematics”
Explore more surprising origins