📚 Educational Glossary
Simple, kid-friendly definitions for important learning words. Click any term to learn more!
A
Addition
Addition means putting groups together to find out how many there are in all. We use the + sign for addition.
Attribute
An attribute is something you can notice about an object, like its color or shape.
Array
An array is a neat rectangle of objects in rows and columns.
Area
Area tells how much space is inside a shape.
C
Counting
Counting means saying numbers in order (1, 2, 3...) while pointing to one thing at a time to find out how many there are.
Circle
A circle is a perfectly round shape — like a ball, a coin, or the moon!
Compare
Compare means to look at two things and decide which has more, less, or if they are the same.
Category
A category is a group of things that go together.
Corner
A corner is the point where two sides meet.
Clock
A clock helps us know what time it is.
Coin
A coin is money like a penny, nickel, dime, or quarter.
Cent
A cent is a small money unit. One penny is worth 1 cent.
Column
A column is a line of objects that goes up and down.
D
Digit
A digit is one number symbol like 3 or 7.
Difference
The difference is the answer you get when you subtract.
Data
Data is information we gather so we can count it, sort it, and learn from it.
Dollar
A dollar is money worth 100 cents.
Division
Division means sharing or grouping equally.
Denominator
The denominator is the bottom number that tells how many equal parts make one whole.
E
F
H
M
More
More means a bigger amount.
Minus
Minus means take away.
Measurement
Measurement means finding out how big or long something is.
Minute Hand
The minute hand is the long clock hand that points to the minutes.
Money
Money is what people use to buy things.
Multiplication
Multiplication is a fast way to add equal groups.
N
Number
A number is a special symbol (like 1, 2, 3, or 100) that tells us "how many" of something there are.
Number Line
A number line is a line of numbers that helps you count forward or backward.
Numerator
The numerator is the top number that tells how many fraction parts you have.
Nearest Ten
The nearest ten is the ten a number is closest to.
Nearest Hundred
The nearest hundred is the hundred a number is closest to.
P
Plus
Plus means add more together.
Place Value
Place value tells us what a digit is worth because of where it is in the number.
Pattern
A pattern is something that repeats in a way you can predict.
Polygon
A polygon is a shape with straight sides that connect all the way around.
Product
The product is the answer when you multiply.
Perimeter
Perimeter is the distance all the way around a shape.
Q
R
Rectangle
A rectangle is a shape with 4 sides and 4 corners. Two sides are long and two sides are short.
Round
Round means shaped like a circle, with no pointy corners.
Regrouping
Regrouping means trading 10 ones for 1 ten, or 1 ten for 10 ones.
Row
A row is a line of objects that goes across.
Rounding
Rounding means changing a number to a close number like the nearest ten or hundred.
S
Subtraction
Subtraction means taking away from a group to find out how many are left. We use the − sign for subtraction.
Shape
A shape is what something looks like on the outside — like a circle (round), square (boxy), or triangle (pointy).
Square
A square is a shape with 4 sides that are ALL the same size and 4 corners that are all the same.
Sort
Sort means to put things into groups that belong together.
Sum
The sum is the answer you get when you add.
Sphere
A sphere is a round solid shape like a basketball.
Side
A side is one straight part of a shape.
Skip Counting
Skip counting means counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, or another equal jump.
T
Triangle
A triangle is a shape with exactly 3 sides and 3 corners. "Tri" means three!
Teen Numbers
Teen numbers are numbers like 11, 12, and 17. They are 10 and some more.
Total
Total means how many there are altogether.
Take Away
Take away means some things are removed from a group.
Tens
Tens are bundles made from 10 ones.
Tally Mark
A tally mark is a quick line used for counting.