Numbers
Noun (plural form):
- Numerical symbols or figures: The word "numbers" primarily refers to mathematical objects used for counting, measuring, and labeling. They are abstract entities representing a quantity.
- A multitude; a large, indefinite quantity of people or things: "Numbers" can refer to a large group considered collectively.
- Arithmetic; the process or skill of calculating: It can refer to the subject or operation involving numerical calculations.
- Musical tempo or meter: In music, "numbers" can refer to the rhythmic structure or a piece of music within a larger work.
- Poetic meter; verse: In prosody, it refers to metrical feet or verses.
Noun (proper noun, capitalized, usually singular in form):
- The Book of Numbers: The fourth book of the Old Testament in the Bible, detailing the census and journey of the Israelites.
Noun (plural, referring to figures): She is good with numbers and complex calculations.Please write the numbers clearly on the form.
Noun (plural, referring to a large group): They won by sheer force of numbers.The protesters turned out in great numbers.
Noun (plural, referring to arithmetic): His favorite subject in school is numbers.
Noun (plural, referring to music/verse): The composer played several short numbers from the new opera.He writes in flowing numbers.
Noun (proper, referring to the biblical book): The story of Balaam's donkey is found in the book of Numbers.
"by the numbers": Doing something in a strict, sequential, or conventional manner, without originality. The training was conducted by the numbers, leaving no room for creativity.
"in round numbers": Approximately, expressed to the nearest ten, hundred, etc.The cost was, in round numbers, about five thousand dollars.
"the numbers are against someone/something": The circumstances or odds are unfavorable. With most voters opposed, the numbers are against the bill passing.
"to have someone's number": To understand someone's true character or motives, often with the intent of outwitting them. Don't try to trick her; she has your number.
Number (n, v): The singular form. As a verb, it means to count, assign a number, or comprise. The pages are numbered sequentially.The guests numbered in the hundreds.
Numerical (adj): Relating to or expressed as a number or numbers. The data is presented in numerical form.
Numeral (n): A symbol or group of symbols representing a number. Roman numerals are still used on some clocks.
- Figures: Numerical symbols.
- Digits: The integers 0 through 9.
- Numerals: Symbols for numbers.
- Statistics: Numerical data.
- Multitude: A large number of people or things.
To do a number on someone: To criticize, deceive, or harm someone severely. The critics really did a number on that new film.
Safety in numbers: The idea that being in a group reduces individual risk. They traveled together, believing in safety in numbers.
Without number: Too many to be counted; innumerable. There were stars without number in the clear night sky.
To crunch the numbers: To perform many calculations or analyze numerical data in detail. The accountant spent the afternoon crunching the numbers for the quarterly report.
- an illegal daily lottery
- the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt