subtract
gb/sʌbtɹˈækt/ us/sʌbtɹˈækt/
A2
English
~ 9300
kivon, levon, ront
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to subtract [amount] from [amount]
If you subtract 7 from 20, you get 13.
Ha 20-ból kivonsz 7-et, 13-at kapsz.
The accountant will subtract your expenses from your income to calculate your profit.
A könyvelő levonja a kiadásaidat a bevételedből, hogy kiszámítsa a nyereségedet.
Please subtract the discount from the total price before you pay.
Subtract the smaller number from the larger one to find the difference.
They forgot to subtract the tax that had already been paid.
Learner examples
We learn to add and subtract in school.
Az iskolában megtanulunk összeadni és kivonni.
Subtract 5 from 12.
Vonj ki 5-öt 12-ből.
You must subtract your costs from your sales.
He subtracted ten dollars from the bill.
The teacher shows us how to subtract big numbers.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"subtract 10 to 3"* instead of *"subtract 3 from 10"*. Remember that in English we normally say *"subtract [smaller number] from [bigger number]"*. Another mistake is using "minus" as a verb: instead of *"minus 5 from 10"*, use *"subtract 5 from 10"* or *"10 minus 5"* as a sentence pattern.
Meaning
take one number from another
Collocations
subtract [amount] from [amount]
|subtract a number
|subtract the cost
|subtract tax
|subtract one
|subtract the total
Synonyms
deduct (Often used in financial or formal contexts for taking an amount away, especially from money or scores.)
|
take away (More informal and commonly used when teaching basic math to children.)
Antonyms
add (Means to put numbers or amounts together instead of taking one away from another.)
Themes
math
|education
|finance
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To take one number or amount away from another number or amount.
To take a number or amount away from another number or amount, especially in arithmetic, in order to find the difference.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to subtract from [something]
The poor sound quality really subtracted from our enjoyment of the concert.
A rossz hangminőség nagyon rontotta a koncertélményünket.
His rude comments subtract from an otherwise excellent presentation.
Udvariatlan megjegyzései rontják az egyébként kiváló előadás összképét.
Scratches on the screen can subtract from the value of the phone.
Long delays at the airport subtracted from the excitement of the trip.
Learner examples
The noise outside subtracts from my rest.
A kinti zaj rontja a pihenésem minőségét.
His bad mood subtracts from the fun of the party.
A rosszkedve rontja a buli hangulatát.
The mistakes in the report subtract from its quality.
Rain can subtract from the joy of a picnic.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use this meaning directly with numbers, as in *"The noise subtracts 5 points"*. For numbers, it is clearer to use the basic math sense (*"subtract 5 points from his score"*). Use *"subtract from"* + a general noun (enjoyment, experience, value, effect) when talking about quality or impression.
Meaning
reduce value or quality of
Collocations
subtract from the experience
|subtract from the overall effect
|subtract from the total score
|subtract from the value
Synonyms
diminish (Similar meaning, but more general and slightly more formal; not limited to numbers.)
|
lessen (General word for making something smaller or weaker; not tied to math.)
Antonyms
enhance (Means to improve or increase the value, quality, or attractiveness of something, the opposite of reducing it.)
Themes
evaluation
|feelings
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something seem less good or less strong.
To lessen the value, quality, or good effect of something; to take away from how good something seems.
Grammar
Dictionary form
subtract
IPA
GB/sʌbtɹˈækt/
US/sʌbtɹˈækt/
Syllables & stress
sub - tract (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tract)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: subtract
- 3rd Person Singular: subtracts
- Present Participle: subtracting
- Past: subtracted
Word family
Expressions
subtract A from B
1/sʌbtɹˈækt ə fɹˈʌm bˈi/
fixed phrase
remove one amount from another
To take number or amount A away from number or amount B.
Examples
- To find how much money you saved, subtract A from B: subtract your spending from your income.
- In this exercise, you must subtract A from B in every problem, not the other way around.
subtract from
1/sʌbtɹˈækt fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
make something seem worse or less
To make something seem less good, less strong, or less enjoyable.
Examples
- The constant interruptions really subtract from the meeting.
- Spelling errors subtract from the professionalism of your email.