What does subtract mean?
Subtract is a transitive verb meaning to take one number or quantity away from another. Its primary mathematical use is to calculate the difference between two amounts, as in subtracting a smaller total from a larger one. The word also applies to money, costs, time, or other measurable elements, and figuratively to removing or reducing a quality, value, or effect. The direction of a subtraction is important: “subtract A from B” means to calculate B minus A, so the order of the two items can change the result. Subtract is standard in British and American English and is especially familiar from arithmetic instruction, financial accounts, and editorial revision. Its Latin origin gives the verb a memorable physical quality: it developed from a word associated with pulling or drawing something away.
verbTo take one number or quantity from another by calculating the difference; more generally, to remove an amount from a total, value, or effect.
- To calculate the difference between two numbers or quantities.
- To remove a cost, amount, or other element from a total.
- To diminish a value, effect, or quality by comparison or reduction.
"Subtract the smaller total from the larger to find the difference."
"Subtract the smaller total from the larger to find the difference."
"The editor subtracted the redundant passage to tighten the article."
Subtract has a surprisingly physical origin: Latin subtrahere meant “to draw away,” built from roots for “under” and “pull.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does subtract come from?
The English verb was borrowed in the early 17th century from Latin subtrahere, meaning “to draw away” or “to subtract.” The Latin word combined the prefix sub-, meaning “under” or “away,” with trahere, meaning “to draw or pull,” and its past participle subtractus supplied the English form. The same Latin root underlies related English words such as contract, extract, distract, and tractor.
Related word forms
How subtract is actually used
The word is neutral and especially common in mathematical, financial, and editorial contexts. In the construction “subtract A from B,” A is the amount being taken away and B is the original total. “Deduct” is also common, particularly when referring to money, fees, or costs.
Easily confused with subtract
To subtract is to take one quantity from another, whereas to distract is to draw someone's attention away from something.