Definition of NUMBER

number

Plural: numbers

Noun

  • the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
    • "he had a number of chores to do"
    • "the number of parameters is small"
  • a concept of quantity involving zero and units
    • "every number has a unique position in the sequence"
  • a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program
    • "it was one of the best numbers he ever did"
  • the number is used in calling a particular telephone
    • "he has an unlisted number"
  • a symbol used to represent a number
  • one of a series published periodically
  • a select company of people
    • "I hope to become one of their number before I die"
  • a numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification
    • "she refused to give them her Social Security number"
  • a clothing measurement
    • "a number 13 shoe"
  • 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)
    • "in English the subject and the verb must agree in number"
  • an item of merchandise offered for sale
    • "she preferred the black nylon number"
    • "this sweater is an all-wool number"
  • Quantity.
  • An abstract entity used to describe quantity.
  • A numeral: a symbol for a non-negative integer.
  • An element of one of several sets: natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers, complex numbers, and sometimes extensions such as hypercomplex numbers, etc.
  • 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.
  • A sequence of digits and letters used to register people, automobiles, and various other items.
  • A telephone number.
  • Of a word or phrase, the state of being singular, dual or plural, shown by inflection.
  • Poetic metres; verses, rhymes.
  • A performance; especially, a single song or song and dance routine within a larger show.
  • A group of people.
  • A person.
  • An outfit, particularly a stylish one.
  • A marijuana cigarette, or joint; also, a quantity of marijuana bought from a dealer.
  • An issue of a periodical publication.
  • A large amount, in contrast to a smaller amount; numerical preponderance.
  • An activity; assignment; job, as in cushy number.

Verb

Verb Forms: numbered, numbering, numbers

  • To count; to assign a numeral to.
  • add up in number or quantity
  • give numbers to
    • "You should number the pages of the thesis"
  • enumerate
    • "We must number the names of the great mathematicians"
  • put into a group
  • determine the number or amount of
  • place a limit on the number of
  • To total or count; to amount to.
  • To limit to a certain number; to reckon (as by fate) to be few in number.
  • To count; to determine the quantity of.
  • To label (items) with numbers; to assign numbers to (items).
  • To call out and assign a series of numbers (usually to people), either for the sake of dividing into groups or for counting.
  • To enumerate or list, especially while assigning numbers to.
  • To classify or include (in a group of things)
  • To be classified or included (in a certain group or category of things).

Adj

  • comparative form of numb: more numb

Examples

  • Adjectives and nouns should agree in gender, number, and case.
  • Alexander the Great's army numbered an elite cavalry among its ranks.
  • Any number of people can be reading from a given repository at a time.
  • For his second number, he sang "The Moon Shines Bright".
  • Her horses number among the fastest in her country.
  • Her passport number is C01X864TN.
  • Horse number 5 won the race.
  • I don’t know how many books are in the library, but they must number in the thousands.
  • I'm definitely interested. Here's my number. Call me back anytime.
  • Let's give her a call. Do you have her number handy?
  • Number the baskets so that we can find them easily.
  • One of our number died
  • Shelley numbered off the group into two teams for the baseball game.
  • The equation e#123;i#92;pi#125;#43;1#61;0 includes the most important numbers: 1, 0, #92;pi, i, and e.
  • The king ordered that all his subjects be numbered.
  • The number 8 is usually made with a single stroke.
  • The old man knew that his days were numbered.
  • The opponents had to ’NUMBER’ their remaining tiles carefully to calculate final scores.
  • Who can number all the stars and who can count the desert sands?
  • Zero, one, −1, 2.5, and pi are all numbers.

Origin / Etymology

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.

Synonyms

act, add up, amount, bit, come, count, enumerate, figure, identification number, issue, keep down, list, numeral, numerate, phone number, routine, telephone number, total, turn, number, rime, scalar

Scrabble Score: 10

number: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
number: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
number: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

number: valid Words With Friends Word