actuary

[ ak-choo-er-ee ]

noun

, plural ac·tu·ar·ies.

1. Insurance. a person who computes premium rates, dividends, risks, etc., according to probabilities based on statistical records.
2. (formerly) a registrar or clerk.

actuary

/ ˌæktʃʊˈɛərɪəl; ˈæktʃʊərɪ /

noun

1. a person qualified to calculate commercial risks and probabilities involving uncertain future events, esp in such contexts as life assurance

actuary

1. A mathematician who uses statistics to calculate insurance premiums.

Derived Forms

• actuarial, adjective

Other Words From

• ac·tu·ar·i·al [ak-choo-, air, -ee-, uh, l], ac·tu·ar·i·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of actuary¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin āctuārius “shorthand writer, clerk,” variant (with u of the action noun āctus act ) of āctārius ( āct(a) “deeds, documents” + -ārius -ary )

Word History and Origins

Origin of actuary¹

C16: (meaning: registrar): from Latin āctuārius one who keeps accounts, from actum public business, and acta documents, deeds. See act , -ary

Example Sentences

Not only will traffic jams slow you down, they can result in crashes caused by distracted drivers, said Megan Jones, senior actuary at Arity, another company that analyzes mobility data.

From Washington Times

In 2013, the Economic Policy Institute and the chief actuary of the Social Security Administration determined that undocumented immigrants receive about $1 billion in benefits, but they also contributed about $15 billion through their TINs.

From Encyclopedia.com

“We expect that trend to continue next year with employers continuing to absorb most of the health care cost increases,” said Debbie Ashford, the North America chief actuary for Health Solutions at Aon.

From Washington Times

Nearly a third of them will suffer brain damage, according to the NFL’s own actuaries.

From Los Angeles Times

Most insurers will probably cover the drug but heavily restrict its use through things like requiring pre-approval, said Greg Warren, a health actuary and member of the Society of Actuaries.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• analyst
• auditor
• bookkeeper
• clerk