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vocabulary

Child-friendly Subtraction vocabulary

Child-friendly definitions and examples for words such as subtract, minus, difference, fewer, decrease and take away.

Quick answer

Subtraction vocabulary includes words like subtract, minus, difference, fewer, decrease and take away. These words all mean "taking something away" or "finding how much is left" in maths.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand the different words used in subtraction and how they help you solve problems when something is taken away. Success signs:
  • You can explain what "subtract" means
  • You can use "take away" and "minus" in a sentence
  • You can find the difference between two numbers
  • You can solve a subtraction word problem

Why this matters

Understanding subtraction vocabulary helps you solve word problems and understand what maths is really about. When you know the right words, you can read stories and word problems and understand what you need to do. It's like learning the language of maths. Whether you're sharing cookies with friends, counting down the minutes until your birthday, or looking at how many toys are left after playing, subtraction words help you make sense of what's happening.

How it works

Subtraction happens when you take something away or find how much is left. Here's how to think about it:
  1. Start with a number (like 8 cookies)
  2. Take away some (like 3 cookies)
  3. Find how many are left (like 5 cookies)
We use different words to describe this action. The most common ones are:
  • Subtract – to take away (like 8 subtract 3)
  • Minus – the symbol - (like 8 minus 3)
  • Take away – to remove (like take away 3 apples)
  • Fewer – less than (like 5 fewer cars)
  • Decrease – to make smaller (like the temperature decreased)
  • Difference – how much two numbers are different (like the difference between 8 and 5 is 3)

Examples you can see

Let's look at some real-life examples with these words. Example 1: Subtract You have 7 pencils and you subtract 2 pencils.
  • 7 subtract 2 = 5 pencils
Example 2: Minus Your friend has 9 stickers and gives you 4.
  • 9 minus 4 = 5 stickers
Example 3: Take away You have 10 toy cars and take away 3.
  • Take away 3 cars from 10 = 7 cars
Example 4: Fewer There are 6 birds on a tree and 2 fly away.
  • There are 4 fewer birds now
Example 5: Decrease The water level in the pool was 100 cm and it decreased by 10 cm.
  • The new water level is 90 cm
Example 6: Difference You have 8 sweets and your sister has 5.
  • The difference is 3 sweets

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Treasure Hunt You are going on a treasure hunt in the park. You start with 12 coins in your pocket. At the first clue, you find 3 more coins. At the second clue, you take away 2 coins to buy a drink. At the third clue, you use 4 coins to buy a map.
  1. Start: 12 coins
  2. Find 3 coins: 12 + 3 = 15 coins
  3. Take away 2 coins: 15 - 2 = 13 coins
  4. Use 4 coins: 13 - 4 = 9 coins
You have 9 coins left. What words can you use to describe what happened? Try to use "subtract", "take away", and "difference" in your sentences.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking "take away" means adding.
    • Why it happens: Confusing words that sound similar.
    • Fix: Remember that take away means removing, not adding.
  • Mistake: Using "difference" when you should use "minus".
    • Why it happens: Not understanding the difference between the words.
    • Fix: Difference is the answer to a subtraction problem, not the action itself.
  • Mistake: Saying "minus" when you mean "subtract".
    • Why it happens: Mixing up word usage.
    • Fix: Minus is the symbol (-), subtract is the action.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  1. Using subtraction words in everyday conversations (like "take away", "fewer", "difference")
  2. Reading word problems together and pointing out the subtraction words
  3. Practising with real objects (like toys, food, or coins)
  4. Encouraging your child to explain their thinking when solving subtraction problems
  5. Reassuring them that it's okay to make mistakes and that learning is a process
Remember: The goal is not to memorise the words, but to understand what subtraction means. If your child gets confused, use simple examples and focus on the action of taking something away.

Practice questions

  1. Use the word "subtract" in a sentence about 10 apples and 3 eaten.
  2. What word means "how much is left" in subtraction?
  3. Write a sentence using "take away" with 15 toys and 6 lost.
  4. Find the difference between 12 and 7.
  5. Which word means "to make smaller" in subtraction?
Answers:
  1. 10 subtract 3 = 7 apples
  2. Take away
  3. Take away 6 toys from 15 = 9 toys
  4. 5
  5. Decrease

FAQ

What does "subtract" mean?

Subtract means to take something away or remove it from a group. For example, if you have 8 balloons and 3 pop, you subtract 3 from 8 to find how many are left.

What is the difference between "minus" and "subtract"?

Minus is the symbol (-) used in maths, while subtract is the action of taking something away. For example, 5 minus 2 means 5 subtract 2.

How do I know which word to use in a problem?

Look for clues in the sentence. If it says "take away", "remove", or "how many are left", you are subtracting. If it asks "what is the difference", you are finding how much two numbers are apart.

Can "fewer" be used with subtraction?

Yes! "Fewer" means less than, so if you start with 10 things and take away 3, you have 3 fewer things.

Why do we need so many words for the same idea?

Using different words helps us think about subtraction in different ways. It also helps us understand the language of maths better, so we can solve problems more easily.