# calculator

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkæl.kjə.leɪ.tə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #13,676

## Definitions
1. A mechanical or electronic device that performs mathematical calculations; (now usually) an electronic one specifically.
2. A person who performs mathematical calculation.
3. A person who calculates (in the sense of scheming).
4. A set of mathematical tables.

## Etymology
In the sense of a person, from Middle English calkelatour (“a mathematician, an astrologer”), borrowed from Latin calculātor, equivalent to calculate + -or. The other meanings arose in Modern English.

## Easily confused with
- **calculate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/calculate-vs-calculator)
- **calculated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/calculated-vs-calculator)
- **calculation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/calculation-vs-calculator)

## Common misspellings (15)
`aclculator`, `caclulator`, `calcculator`, `calcluator`, `calcualtor`, `calculaotr`, `calculatorr`, `calculatro`, `calculattor`, `calcullator`, `calcultaor`, `callculator`, `caluclator`, `ccalculator`, `claculator`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/calculator