Subtraction is the math operation of taking one number away from another. These words will help you understand instructions, explain your work, and talk about subtracting in everyday situations.
Subtraction Terms
Here are the most important words you need to understand subtraction:
| English Word | Definition | Example Sentence | Singular/Plural | Part of Speech | Example Sentence (Singular/Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtraction | The process of taking one number away from another. | Subtraction is one of the basic operations in math. | Uncountable (Singular) | Noun | Subtraction is used in many everyday situations. |
| Subtract | To take one number away from another. | Subtract 5 from 10 to get 5. | Singular | Verb | You subtract the smaller number from the larger one. |
| Difference | The result of subtracting one number from another. | The difference between 8 and 3 is 5. | Singular | Noun | The difference is always a non-negative number. |
| Minuend | The number you subtract from. | In 10 - 4, 10 is the minuend. | Singular | Noun | The minuend is the larger number in the subtraction problem. |
| Subtrahend | The number you subtract. | In 10 - 4, 4 is the subtrahend. | Singular | Noun | The subtrahend is taken away from the minuend. |
| Borrow | To take 1 from the next digit when subtracting (in column subtraction). | You borrow 1 from the tens place. | Singular | Verb | When you borrow, you reduce the next digit by 1. |
| Regroup | To rearrange numbers by borrowing during subtraction. | Regrouping makes subtraction easier with larger digits. | Singular | Verb | Regroup when you cannot subtract a larger digit from a smaller one. |
| Take Away | Another way to say subtract. | Take away 3 apples from the basket. | Singular | Phrase/Verb | If you take away 3, how many are left? |
| Minus | The sign (-) used to show subtraction. | minus 2 equals 5. | Singular | Preposition/Conjunction | Write the problem as 7 minus 2. |
| Zero | The number 0, important in subtraction and place value. | Subtracting a number from zero gives a negative result. | Singular | Noun | Zero plays a key role in understanding borrowing. |
Subtraction Phrases
These common phrases will help you use subtraction words in context:
| English Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence | Singular/Plural | Part of Speech | Example Sentence (Singular/Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtract A from B | Take number A away from number B. | Subtract 3 from 8 to get 5. | Singular | Phrase | Subtract 2 from 9 and write the answer. |
| Find the difference | Calculate the result of subtraction. | Find the difference between 15 and 6. | Singular | Phrase | Find the difference in the number of apples. |
| Take away | Remove a certain number. | Take away 4 candies from the jar. | Singular | Phrase | Take away 1 more and count again. |
| How many are left? | Ask how much remains after subtraction. | You had 10 pencils, gave away 3. How many are left? | Singular/Plural | Question | After you take away 5, how many are left? |
| Minus sign | The symbol (-) used for subtraction. | The minus sign shows you need to subtract. | Singular | Noun Phrase | Circle the minus sign in the problem. |
| Borrow one | Take 1 from the next higher place value. | Borrow one when the top digit is smaller. | Singular | Phrase | Borrow one from the tens column to subtract units. |
| Regroup digits | Rearrange numbers by borrowing. | Regroup digits to make subtraction possible. | Plural | Phrase | Regroup digits starting from the right. |
| Subtraction problem | A math question involving subtraction. | Solve the subtraction problem on page 4. | Singular | Noun Phrase | The subtraction problem has missing numbers. |
| Subtract mentally | Do subtraction in your head, without paper. | Subtract mentally to check your answer. | Singular | Phrase | Try to subtract mentally for smaller numbers. |
| Solve the problem | Find the answer to a subtraction question. | Solve the problem before moving on. | Singular | Phrase | Solve the problem step-by-step. |
Example Sentences
Here are example sentences showing how these subtraction words are used in everyday English:
| English Sentence | Part of Speech | Singular/Plural | Example Sentence (Usage of Subtraction Terms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I subtracted 7 from 12 to get 5. | Sentence | Singular | (Subtract, Minuend, Subtrahend, Difference) |
| The difference between 20 and 8 is 12. | Sentence | Singular | (Difference, Subtraction) |
| When subtracting 15 - 9, you might need to borrow. | Sentence | Singular | (Subtracting, Borrow) |
| Regrouping helps you subtract larger digits easily. | Sentence | Singular | (Regrouping, Subtract) |
| Take away 4 apples from the basket. How many are left? | Sentence | Plural | (Take Away, How Many Are Left) |
| The minus sign tells you to subtract one number from another. | Sentence | Singular | (Minus Sign, Subtract) |
When subtracting 15 - 9, you might need to ___.
borrow
You might need to borrow because the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit.
Word Origins
- Subtraction: From Latin “subtrahere” meaning “to draw away.”
- Minuend and Subtrahend: From Latin grammatical terms describing parts of subtraction.
- Borrow: Old English origin, meaning to take temporarily.
- Regroup: Modern English compound meaning to rearrange groups of numbers.
- Minus: Latin for “less,” used in math to indicate subtraction.
Visual Aids
- Use number lines to show subtraction visually.
- Draw place value columns for borrowing and regrouping.
- Highlight the minus sign in subtraction problems.
What visual aid can help you understand borrowing in subtraction?
Drawing place value columns.
Place value columns help you see which digits to borrow from during subtraction.
How can subtracting help you in everyday life?
It helps you figure out how much money or items you have left.
Subtraction helps you calculate how much remains after spending or removing something, which is useful in daily tasks like shopping.
Flashcards (1 of 26)
- Definition: The process of taking one number away from another.
- Example Sentence: Subtraction is one of the basic operations in math.
- Singular/Plural: Uncountable (Singular)
- Part of Speech: Noun
- Example Sentence (Singular/Plural): Subtraction is used in many everyday situations.
- English Word: Subtraction
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
