Math Vocabulary for 1st Grade
80 terms
JamWise Education Team·Updated March 2026
In 1st grade, students in the early elementary (K-2) band encounter 80 essential math vocabulary terms. These words form the foundation for classroom discussions, reading comprehension, written assignments, and standardized assessments. Mastering this vocabulary gives students the language they need to express their understanding with clarity and confidence.
Below you will find every math term for 1st grade, organized by topic where applicable. Each term links to a detailed definition page with grade-level explanations, related vocabulary, and connections to JamWise learning resources.
counting
View topic hubAfter
The number that comes right next.
Before
The number that comes just in front of another.
Even
A number that can be split into two equal groups. Like 2, 4, 6.
Number line
A line with numbers on it in order, evenly spaced.
Odd
A number that cannot be split into two equal groups. Like 1, 3, 5.
Ordinal number
A number that shows order. Like 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
Skip counting
Counting by jumping over numbers. Like 2, 4, 6, 8.
geometry
View topic hubAttribute
Something you notice about a shape, like its color, size, or number of sides.
Composite shape
A new shape made by putting two or more shapes together.
Edge
A line where two faces of a solid shape meet.
Face
A flat surface on a solid shape.
Three-dimensional
A solid shape you can hold. It has height, width, and depth.
Two-dimensional
A flat shape. You can draw it on paper.
Vertex
A corner where two sides of a shape meet.
operations
View topic hubAddend
A number you add to another number.
Addition
Putting numbers together to find how many in all.
Commutative property
You can add numbers in any order and get the same answer.
Count back
Subtracting by counting down from a number.
Count on
Adding by counting up from a number.
Difference
The answer when you subtract one number from another.
Doubles
Adding a number to itself. Like 4 + 4.
Equal sign
The sign = that means the same as.
Equation
A math sentence with an equal sign. Like 3 + 2 = 5.
Fact family
A set of addition and subtraction facts that use the same numbers.
Making ten
Finding two numbers that add up to 10.
Missing addend
The unknown number in an addition problem. Like 3 + ? = 7.
Number bond
A picture that shows how a number breaks into two parts.
Subtraction
Taking a number away from another number.
Sum
The answer when you add numbers together.
place-value
View topic hubDigit
A single number symbol: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.
Ones
Single things. The digits on the right side of a number.
Place value
What a digit is worth based on where it sits in a number.
Tens
Groups of ten. The tens place in a number.
Two-digit number
A number with a tens place and a ones place. Like 25 or 43.
General math terms
Add
To join groups together to find the total.
Equal to
The same amount as another number. We use the sign =.
Even number
A number you can split into two equal groups. Like 2, 4, 6, 8.
False
Not correct. A math sentence that is wrong.
Graph
A picture that shows data so you can compare.
Greater than
Bigger than another number. We use the sign >.
Hexagon
A flat shape with six sides and six corners.
Hour hand
The short hand on a clock that shows hours.
Hundred chart
A chart showing numbers from 1 to 100 in ten rows of ten.
Less than
Smaller than another number. We use the sign <.
Make ten
A strategy to add by first making a group of ten. 8 + 5 = 8 + 2 + 3 = 10 + 3 = 13.
Measure
To find out how long, tall, or heavy something is.
Minute hand
The long hand on a clock that shows minutes.
Near doubles
Adding numbers that are one apart, like 6 + 7. Think 6 + 6 + 1.
Number word
A number written as a word, like seven or twelve.
Odd number
A number that has one left over when you make pairs. Like 1, 3, 5, 7.
Ones place
The spot in a number that shows how many single ones.
Order
To put numbers from smallest to biggest or biggest to smallest.
Quarter
One of four equal parts of a whole.
Related facts
Addition and subtraction facts that use the same numbers. 3 + 4 = 7 and 7 − 3 = 4.
Subtract
To take away from a group to find what is left.
Tally chart
A chart that uses tally marks to count things.
Tally mark
A line used to count. Every fifth line goes across the other four.
Tens place
The spot in a number that shows how many groups of ten.
Trapezoid
A flat shape with four sides. One pair of sides is parallel.
True
Correct. A math sentence that is right.
Unknown
The number you need to find. Sometimes shown with a box or question mark.
Whole
All the parts together. Nothing is missing.