Vocabulary Words for 2Nd Grade

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Math Vocabulary Words for 2nd Grade

Old, New and Some that are nice to know.

1. abacus – A board or frame with discs, beads or counters. Used for counting.

1. abbreviation – A shortened from of words. ex. - ante meridiem - a.m.

1. acute – A thin angle with a measurement of less than 90 deg.

1. acute triangle – A triangle with all 3 inside angles less than 90 deg.

1. add – Join two or more numbers together.

1. addend – Any number that is to be added. Ex. 4 + 4 = 8

1. addition – The joining of values of two or more numbers together. The symbol is + .

1. addition property of zero – When zero is added to any number the sum is still the same number.

1. algebra – Math that uses numerals, symbols or letters for values that we don’t know.

1. a.m. – Ante meridiem The time after midnight [12:00] until noon [12:00].

1. amount – How much of that thing.

1. analog clock – A clock or watch that has numbers and hands on the face to tell time.

1. angle – The space between two straight lines with a common endpoint.

1. annual – Happening only once a year.

1. approximately – Nearly, not exactly, but almost.

1. Arabic numerals – 1,2,3,4,5 numbers now commonly used in all western countries.

1. arc – A part of any curve, usually means part of a circle.

1. area* – The amount of surface or the size of a surface. Measured in square units.

1. arithmetic – Part of math that studies numbers.

1. array – Arrangement of objects and numbers in columns or rows.

1. arrow – Used to indicate direction.

1. ascending order – Going up or increasing in value [from smallest to largest].

1. associative property of multiplication – When 3 or more numbers are multiplied, changing the order of the numbers doesn’t change the answer [product].

1. asymmetry – Has no symmetry. Can’t be cut it into matching halves.

1. average – Add all numbers together and divide by the number of addends.

1. axis – the lines that form the framework of a graph. X = left/right [horizontal] Y = top/bottom [vertical].

1. balance – Equal amount of weight on both sides. Or Money in a bank account.

1. bar graph – Graph that uses horizontal or vertical bars to show information.

1. base – The face that a shape or solids sits on.

1. base line* – The horizontal axis of a graph – X line

1. base ten blocks – A set of blocks used to give a representation of a unit of numbers used in the base ten system.

1. base ten system – A number system using ten as a base for grouping.

1. basic facts – Operations performed with 1- digit numbers 0 thru 9.

1. bicentennial – 200th anniversary.

1. billion – A billion is one thousand millions. 1,000,000,000

1. boundary – A line around a region.

1. budget – A plan for using money wisely.

1. C – is a symbol use for Celsius temperature scale. Also a symbol for circumference in problems about circles. In Roman numerals it stands for 100.

1. calculate – Work out the answer.

1. calculator – A electronic aid used in calculating answers for math problems.

1. calendar – Shows the 12 months of a year in order. Shows months, weeks and days.

1. cardinal number – The number of all the members in a set.

1. carrying – Another word for regrouping.

1. Celsius scale – Scale used to measure temperature in the metric system.

1. cent – a penny – One cent is one hundredth of a dollar.

1. Centigrade – Former name of the metric temperature scale, now called Celsius scale.

1. centimeter – [cm] A unit of length in the metric system. Almost ½ inch.

1. center – A point exactly in the middle of something.

1. century – 100 years

1. certain - Something or event is going to happen.

1. chance – Something or event may happen.

1. change – The difference between what something costs and the amount of money given to the clerk.

1. chord – A line joining two points on a circle.

1. chronological order – Events or things arranged by the date or time when they happened.

1. circle – A perfectly round shape.

1. circle graph – Same as a pie chart. Uses a circle to show information collected.

1. circumference – The distance around a circle.

1. class – A group, set or collection of things.

1. classification – Putting groups, sets or classes together that belong according to attributes.

1. classify – Sort things into groups, classes or sets according to attributes.

1. clockwise – The direction the hands on a clock usually move toward the right.

1. closed curve – A curve that starts at a point and ends at that same point.

1. closed shape – A shape [polygon] whose sides begin and end at the same point.

1. cm – A symbol for centimeter. Measurement used in the metric system.

1. column – A vertical arrangement.

1. column addition – Adding numbers in a column. Starting from right to left.

1. combination – Arranging objects in a group, the order doesn’t matter.

1. common denominator* – For two or more fractions, a number that is a common multiple of the denominators.

1. common fraction* - A fraction such as ¾, ½, 7/10 in which the numerator is less than the denominator. Also called a simple or proper fraction.

1. commutative property of addition - The order of the numbers doesn’t change the answer [sum].

1. commutative property of multiplication – The order of the numbers doesn’t change the answer [product].

1. comparison – Identifying whether objects, measures or quantities are the same or different.

1. compass – An instrument that shows direction or an instrument used to draw circles.

1. complementary addition* – Finding the amount to complete a set. Ex. 7+ _ = 10 [3]

1. composite number – A number with factors other than itself and 1.

1. concave – A shape rounded inward like a bowl.

1. concentric circles – Circles that are in the same plane and have the same center.

1. concrete graph – A graph that uses real objects to show the information collected.

1. cone – A solid that has a circular base and comes to a point – like an ice cream cone.

1. congruent – Figures that are the same size and shape. Match exactly.

1. consecutive numbers – Numbers that follow each other in a sequence.

1. convex – Shaped like the outside of a circle. Opposite of concave.

1. coordinates* – A pair of numbers or letters that show the position of a point on a plane. X – coordinate is always the first number, Y- coordinate is always the second number.

1. cost – The price of something.

1. count back – Moving backwards on a number line to find the difference.

1. counterclockwise – The direction opposite of what the hands on a clock usually move. Circling to the left.

1. counting - Giving one number [in order] to every item in a set.

1. counting number – Set of numbers used in counting. 0 is not a counting number. Natural numbers.

1. count on / forward – Moving forward on a number line to find the sum.

1. count backward – Moving backward on a number line to find the difference.

1. cube – A solid, shaped like a box, has 12 equal edges, 6 equal square faces, and 8 corners.

1. cup – A unit of measuring liquid, equal to 8 ounces [oz] c

1. curve – A line that is not straight, can be open or closed.

1. cylinder – A solid shape with 2 circular faces at each end and round like a can.

1. data – A collection of things .

1. day – One 24 hour period starting at midnight and ending again at midnight.

1. days of the week – The seven days from Sunday – Saturday.

1. decade – 10 years.

1. decagon* – A polygon with 10 sides.

1. decimal - A number containing a decimal point. Ex. 0.013 or 1.25

1. decimal place-value system – A number system based on groups of ten.

1. decimal point – A point that separates the whole number from the part of a number.

1. decrease – Make smaller. Make it less in value.

1. degree – A unit for measuring temperature. Also a unit used to measure angles.

1. degree Celsius – Common unit of measuring temperature in the metric system.

1. degree Fahrenheit – Common unit of measuring temperature in the customary system.

1. density – The mass/weight of an object.

1. depth – How deep something is.

1. descending order – Decreasing in value.

1. diagonal – A line segment that joins two corners that are not next to each other.

1. diagram – A simple drawing or sketch of a geometric figure.

1. diameter – A line segment joining two points of a circle going through the center.

1. diamond – A 2- dimensional shape with 4 equal sides with no 90 deg. angles. A rhombus.

1. difference – The amount that two numbers differ. [answer in Subtraction].

1. digit – Numerals 0, 1,2,3, …9 – can go from 1 digit numbers to multiple digit numbers.

1. digital clock – A clock or watch that shows time with numbers. [has no hands]

1. dime – A coin worth 10 cents.

1. dimension* – A property that can be measured related to plane and space.

1. direction – The way to go.

1. distance – The length between on point and another.

1. distribute – Give a piece of something to each, deal out.

1. dollar – A unit of money worth 100 cents, 20 nickels, 10 dimes or 4 quarters. $

1. dot paper – Paper printed with dots arranged in a pattern.

1. double – Twice as many.

1. dozen – Twelve items.

1. edge – The line where two faces meet.

1. element of a set – One of the objects that belong in a set.

1. ellipse – A closed curve that looks like a flattened circle – an oval.

1. enlargement – Make bigger.

1. equal – The same amount. Identical in quantity. The = sign/symbol means both sides of an equation have the same value.

1. equal parts – Divided into the same size pieces.

1. equal to – One side is the same as the other side.

1. equation – A way to write that two quantities are equal. Has 2 sides that are equal.

1. equilateral – A figure with sides of equal length.

1. equivalent – The same amount. Equal value.

1. estimate – A guess or approximate amount.

1. even – Equal in number, value, or balance.

1. even number – A number that can be divided evenly in half. Ex. 0, 2,4,6 ….

1. event – Something that has a possible outcome.

1. exact – The correct or actual amount, not a guess.

1. face – The flat surface on a solid figure.

1. figure – another name for a numeral, line, shape, or solid.

1. first – the one at the beginning.

1. flat – One plane. A slice off of a solid figure.

1. flexible – Something that can move or bend without breaking.

1. flip – To turn a shape or figure over.

1. foot – A unit of measurement that equals12 inches. Plural is feet. ft or ’

1. fraction – A part of an object that compares it to the whole object. Ex. ¼, ½ , ¾

1. front view – Looking at a shape or figure from the front.

1. gallon – A unit of measuring liquid. 1 gal. = 4 qts = 128 ozs gal

1. gram – A small unit of measuring mass in the metric system. g

1. graph – A drawing or diagram that shows data that has been collected.

153. greater than – One is more than the other. > Ex. 56 > 34

1. greatest – The largest number or amount.

1. grid – Lines that go up and down and across. Used on graphs.

1. group – A set of things.

1. grouping – Putting things together into sets.

1. half – One part of two equal parts.

1. half-dollar – A unit of money worth 50 cents. ½ of a dollar.

1. half-gallon – A unit of measuring liquid. Equals 2 qts. = 64 ozs.

1. half-hour – A unit of time equal to 30 minutes. The min. hand is on 6. Ex. 9:30

1. half past – Another way to say half-hour; equal to 30 min. The minute hand is on 6.

1. height – How tall something is. Measure from top to bottom.

1. hemisphere – Half of a sphere.

1. heptagon – A polygon with 7 sides and 7 angles.

1. hexagon – A polygon with 6 sides and 6 angles.

1. histogram- A bar graph with no spaces between columns.

1. horizontal line – A line that is parallel to the horizon. Side to side.

1. hour – A unit of time that equals 60 minutes. Hour hand is on a number – minute hand is on the 12. h

1. identical – Exactly alike.

1. image – A exact copy.

171. impossible – Not a chance for something to happen.

1. inch – A measure of length. in or ”

1. increase – Make larger by adding some on.

1. inequality – Not equal to. One side is not the same as the other one.

1. infinite – No starting or ending point. Goes on forever. – infinity

1. integers – Positive and negative whole numbers including 0.

1. intersect – A point where two or more lines cross each other.

1. intersection – A point where two lines meet.

1. irregular polygon – A shape in which all sides are not the same in length.

1. isosceles triangle – A triangle having 2 sides the same length and 2 angles equal.

1. kilogram – A unit of measure of mass [weight] in the metric system. kg

1. kiloliter – A unit of measure of volume [capacity] in the metric system. kL

1. kilometer – A unit of measure of distance in the metric system. km

1. kite – A quadrilateral with 2 equal short sides and 2 equal long sides.

1. L – The symbol for liter [liquid measure/volume] in the metric system. L

1. leap year – A year that has 366 days. Happens every 4 years.

1. least – the smallest thing or amount in a group.

189. least likely – The smallest chance that something will happen.

1. length – How long something is from end to end.

1. less likely - Less of a chance that something will happen.

1. less than – One is smaller than the other one. 25 < 63

1. likely – A chance that something will happen.

1. line – A straight path that goes forever [infinity] in each direction.

1. line graph – A graph with a straight lines that connect points that represent data.

1. line of symmetry – A line that divides something into 2 identical pieces. Looks the same on both sides.

1. line segment – A part of a straight line. Has a beginning and an end.

1. liter – A unit of measuring liquid/volume [capacity] in the metric system. L

1. m – The symbol for meter [length measurement] in the metric system. m

1. mass – The amount of matter [weight] in an object.

1. matching – One to one or many to one correspondence.

1. maximum – The greatest or biggest value/number.

1. maze – A kind of a puzzle that has a path that has to be followed to get to the end.

1. measure – To determine the size of something.

1. meter – The base unit of length [distance] in the metric system. m

1. metric system – A decimal system of weights and measure used in other countries and in Science. The United States uses the Customary System.

1. midpoint – the middle between two points.

1. mile – A measure of length [distance] in the customary system. mi

1. milligram – A small unit of measurement of mass in the metric system. mg

1. milliliter – A unit of capacity [volume] used in the metric system. mL

1. millimeter – A unit of measuring length in the metric system. mm

1. million – One thousand thousands. 1,000,000,000

1. minimum – The smallest or least value.

1. minus – Subtract. Finding the difference between 2 numbers.

1. minute – A unit of time equal to 60 seconds. min.

1. model – A 3-dimentional representation of an actual object.

1. month – A measurement of time- using days – 28, 30 or 31 per 1 month. There are 12 months in a year.

1. more – Greater in amount.

219. more likely – A greater chance that something will happen.

1. most – The greatest amount.

1. most likely – The greatest chance that something will happen.

1. natural number – One of the counting numbers. Ex. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,

1. negative numbers* – A number is less than 0. Located to the left of the 0 on the number line.

Ex . -1, -2, -3….

1. nickel – A unit of money equal to 5 cents.

1. nonagon* – A polygon with 9 sides and 9 angles.

1. none – Nothing. Not one. Not any.

1. not equal - Not the same on each side. =/=

1. nothing – 0 - Zero. Not one.

1. number – How many things.

1. number line – A line with equally marked points and numbers underneath.

1. number sentence – An equation written is a line – not column. Ex. 2+5 = 7.

1. obtuse triangle – A triangle with one obtuse angle [larger than 90 deg.]

1. o’clock – Used in telling time.

1. octagon – A polygon with 8 sides and 8 angles.

1. odd number – A number that cannot be divided in half. Ex. 1, 3, 5, 7…

1. one-dimensional – A figure which has only one length. Ex. a line

1. one-to-one correspondence – Matching the objects of two sets.

1. open curve – A curve that has an beginning and end that doesn’t connect.

1. opposite numbers – Numbers that add up to 0. Ex. 3 – 3 = 0

1. order – Arrange things in a pattern or a sequence.

1. ordering – Arranging things according to size, color, or value.

1. ordinal number – A number that indicates position. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th

1. origin* – The point where something begins.

1. ounce – Unit of measure for weight or liquid. Oz

1. outcome – The results of a given problem.

1. oval – An egg shaped figure. As ellipse – a flattened circle.

1. pace – The distance that you step measured from heel to heel.

1. pair – Two things that go together. Ex. shoes, gloves, socks

1. parallel lines – Two or more lines that are equal distance apart going in the same direction. They will never intersect/cross.

1. parallelogram – A four-sided figure. A quadrilateral where opposite sides are parallel and equal and opposite angles equal.

1. pattern – A repeated design using a variety of designs, colors, numbers, etc.

1. pattern blocks – A set of shapes cut into various geometric shapes.

1. pattern unit – A pattern that is created before repeating itself.

1. penny – A unit of money equal to one cent.

1. pentagon – A polygon with 5 straight lines and 5 angles.

1. percent – A number out of a hundred. %

1. perimeter – The distance around a closed shape.

1. pictograph – A graph drawn with pictures to represent data. It has a key and a name. Same as a pictogram and picture graph.

1. pie graph – A circle graph that shows data.

1. pint – A unit of measuring liquid that equals 2 c = 16 oz pt

1. placeholder – A symbol that holds a place for an unknown number. A box [] or any letter, or a 0 used as a digit – 206.

1. place value – The value of each digit in a number determined by its place in that number.

1. plan – A diagram of a place or an object as seen from above.

1. plane – A flat surface like a top of a desk, a wall or a plane shape drawn flat.

1. plane shape – A closed plane shape that lays in one plane – as if it is flat. A slice off a solid shape. Ex. circle, square, triangle, rectangle, etc.

1. plus – The name of the symbol that means addition. + 6 + 3 = 9

1. p.m. – Post meridiem. The time right after noon [12:00] until midnight [12:00].

1. point– Small dot on a surface. Also know as the decimal point. Ex. 12.5 or $3.89

1. polygon – A plane shape that has 3 or more straight lines.