easy
Subtract three from eight to get five.
What does Subtract mean?
Subtract means take away or find the difference between quantities.
Dictionary definition
To take one quantity away from another, or to find how much remains or how far apart two quantities are.
Example sentences
Subtract in a sentence
medium
Subtract the amount spent from the budget to find what remains.
hard
To compare the heights, subtract the smaller measurement from the larger measurement.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Subtract
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does subtract mean?
Subtraction can find what remains or the difference between two quantities.
Practice 2
Which equation subtracts 4 from 11?
“Subtract 4 from 11” means begin with 11 and take away 4.
Practice 3
Which operation can undo subtracting 3?
Addition and subtraction are inverse operations when the same quantity is used.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Subtract
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Sounds like
sub · trakt · strongest beat: trakt
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordSubtract.
Partverb.
MeaningSubtract means take away or find the difference between quantities.
ExampleExample: Subtract three from eight to get five.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- sub · trakt
- Strongest beat
- trakt
- Ending
- trakt
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on trakt.
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Synonyms
Words like Subtract
Antonyms
Opposite words
addThe inverse arithmetic operation: adding can undo a subtraction when the same quantity is used.
Synonym practice
Want to practice subtract synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Please deduct two points from the total," then compare close word choices. Practice subtract synonyms.
Word family
Subtract word family
Base word
subtract
verb
subtracts
Takes away or finds a difference now.
verb
subtracted
Took one quantity from another in the past.
verb
subtracting
Performing subtraction now.
noun
subtraction
The operation of subtracting.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Subtract
Hint for students
In “subtract 4 from 9,” start with 9. The word from helps show the order.
Common mix-up
Subtraction is not commutative: 9 − 4 and 4 − 9 do not have the same value. Subtraction can find a remainder or compare two quantities.
Try it in class or at home
Write one take-away story and one comparison story for 10 − 6. Solve both, label the difference, and check each answer by adding.
Teacher prompt
Model 9 − 4 with objects, a number line, and an equation. Ask what each representation shows and why 4 is subtracted from 9—not the reverse.
Word Wheel · Grades 1-3
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Learning activities
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