Number

/ˈnʌmbər/ adj, noun, verb, slang

adj, noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: Quantity.
  • Grammar: number is listed as adj, noun, verb, slang.
  • Nearest alternatives: numeral, a certain number, a few, a number.
  • Useful contrasts: catalan lletra, french lettre, lettered numbering.
  • Usage evidence: You can number me among your friends.

How to use "number"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "number" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "number" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "number" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "number" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "number" is acting as adj, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "numeral" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "number", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Quantity.

    "Any number of people can be reading from a given repository at a time."

  2. 2
    Something that numbs.
  3. 3
    an item of clothing wordnet
  4. 4
    An abstract entity used to describe quantity. countable

    "Zero, one, −1, 2.5, and pi are all numbers."

  5. 5
    a clothing measurement wordnet
Show 25 more definitions
  1. 6
    A numeral: a symbol for a non-negative integer. countable

    "The number 8 is usually made with a single stroke."

  2. 7
    the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals wordnet
  3. 8
    An element of one of several sets: natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers, complex numbers, and sometimes extensions such as hypercomplex numbers, etc. countable

    "The equation e#123;i#92;pi#125;#43;1#61;0 includes the most important numbers: 1, 0, #92;pi, i, and e."

  4. 9
    the grammatical category for the forms of nouns and pronouns and verbs that are used depending on the number of entities involved (singular or dual or plural) wordnet
  5. 10
    Indicating the position of something in a list or sequence. Abbreviations: No or No., no or no. (in each case, sometimes written with a superscript "o", like Nº or №). The symbol "#" is also used in this manner. attributive

    "Horse number 5 won the race."

  6. 11
    a numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification and may be attached to accounts, memberships, etc. wordnet
  7. 12
    A sequence of digits and letters used to register people, automobiles, and various other items.

    "Her passport number is C01X864TN."

  8. 13
    the number is used in calling a particular telephone wordnet
  9. 14
    A telephone number. countable, informal

    "Let's give her a call. Do you have her number handy?"

  10. 15
    one of a series published periodically wordnet
  11. 16
    Of a word or phrase, the state of being singular, dual or plural, shown by inflection.

    "Adjectives and nouns should agree in gender, number, and case."

  12. 17
    a numbered item in a series wordnet
  13. 18
    Poetic metres; verses, rhymes. archaic, in-plural

    "Griefe brought to numbers cannot be ſo fierce, / For, he tames it, that fetters it in verſe."

  14. 19
    a symbol used to represent a number wordnet
  15. 20
    A performance; especially, a single song or song and dance routine within a larger show. countable

    "For his second number, he sang "The Moon Shines Bright"."

  16. 21
    a short performance that is part of a longer program wordnet
  17. 22
    A group of people. formal, singular, singular-only

    "I include myself in their number."

  18. 23
    a select company of people wordnet
  19. 24
    A person. countable, informal

    "I laughed. "Don't doubt that. She's a saucy little number.""

  20. 25
    a concept of quantity involving zero and units wordnet
  21. 26
    An outfit, particularly a stylish one. countable, informal

    "The trouble was I was wearing my backless glittering number from the night before underneath, so unless I could persuade the office it was National Fancy Dress Day I was doomed to sweat profusely in bottle blue."

  22. 27
    A marijuana cigarette, or joint; also, a quantity of marijuana bought from a dealer. US, slang

    "These were the two that Tommy had chosen to collect a debt owed to his family by a dude named Heath who ran numbers out of a grocery store on 131st and Lenox."

  23. 28
    An issue of a periodical publication. dated

    "the latest number of a magazine"

  24. 29
    A large amount, in contrast to a smaller amount; numerical preponderance.

    "Despite last week's woes, the Braves still sport numbers that would make Christie Brinkley blush."

  25. 30
    An activity; assignment; job, as in cushy number.
Verb
  1. 1
    To total or count; to amount to. intransitive

    "I don’t know how many books are in the library, but they must number in the thousands."

  2. 2
    place a limit on the number of wordnet
  3. 3
    To limit to a certain number; to reckon (as by fate) to be few in number. transitive

    "The old man knew that his days were numbered."

  4. 4
    enumerate wordnet
  5. 5
    To count; to determine the quantity of. archaic, literary, transitive

    "The king ordered that all his subjects be numbered."

Show 9 more definitions
  1. 6
    determine the number or amount of wordnet
  2. 7
    To label (items) with numbers; to assign numbers to (items). transitive

    "Number the baskets so that we can find them easily."

  3. 8
    give numbers to wordnet
  4. 9
    To call out and assign a series of numbers (usually to people), either for the sake of dividing into groups or for counting. transitive

    "Shelley numbered off the group into two teams for the baseball game."

  5. 10
    add up in number or quantity wordnet
  6. 11
    To enumerate or list, especially while assigning numbers to. transitive

    "I numbered them off on my fingers as I stated them. “First, I would redeem a small amount of my investment assets to pay off the cleared lot and come up with a down payment for the ten acres. Second, I would seek to obtain an open[…]"

  7. 12
    put into a group wordnet
  8. 13
    To classify or include (in a group of things) transitive, usually

    "Alexander the Great's army numbered an elite cavalry among its ranks."

  9. 14
    To be classified or included (in a certain group or category of things). intransitive, usually

    "Her horses number among the fastest in her country."

Adjective
  1. 1
    comparative form of numb: more numb comparative, form-of

Synonyms

All synonyms
numerala certain numbera fewa numberaccountact

Antonyms

catalan lletrafrench lettrelettered numberingunnumbered form

Example

"You can number me among your friends."

Common questions

What does "number" mean?

Quantity.

What is a synonym for "number"?

Common synonyms include: numeral, a certain number, a few, a number, account, act.

How do you use "number" in a sentence?

You can number me among your friends.

How do you pronounce "number"?

Pronounced /ˈnʌmbər/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English number, nombre, numbre, noumbre, from Anglo-Norman noumbre, Old French nombre, from Latin numerus (“number”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *nem- (“to divide”). Compare Saterland Frisian Nummer, Nuumer, West Frisian nûmer, Dutch nummer (“number”), German Nummer (“number”), Danish nummer (“number”), Swedish nummer (“number”), Icelandic númer (“number”). Replaced Middle English ȝetæl and rime, more at tell, tale and rhyme.

Etymology 2

From numb (adjective) + -er.

Etymology 3

Equivalent to numb (verb) + -er

More for "number"

Synonyms

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