Definition

1. Noun:

   • A symbol or group of symbols used to represent a number: A written character (like '5', 'V', or '五') that denotes a numerical value.
   • (Linguistics) A word expressing a number: A word, such as 'five', 'fifth', or 'quintuple', that represents a number or a relation in number.

2. Adjective:

   • Of or relating to numbers; denoting a number: Pertaining to or functioning as a number.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The numeral '7' is written differently in many fonts.
  • Roman numerals, such as X and L, are still used today.
  • In the phrase "the three little pigs," the word "three" is a numeral.

• Adjective:

  • In "numeral system," the word 'numeral' functions as an adjective.
  • The linguistic term "numeral adjective" describes words like 'several' or 'many'.

Advanced Usage

• Numerical vs. Numeral: 'Numerical' relates to numbers in general (e.g., numerical data), while 'numeral' specifically refers to the symbol or word representing a number.
• As a classifier in linguistics: In some languages, numerals are a distinct part of speech and may require specific grammatical rules or classifiers when used with nouns.

Variants and Related Words

• Numerical (adj): Relating to or expressed as a number or numbers.
  • The report provided numerical evidence for the theory.
• Numeration (n): The process or a system of numbering or counting.
• Enumerate (v): To mention a number of things one by one.

Synonyms

• Number (n): An arithmetical value. (Note: 'Number' is the concept; 'numeral' is its written representation.)
• Digit (n): Any of the numerals from 0 to 9, especially when forming part of a number.
• Figure (n): A numerical symbol, especially any of the ten in Arabic notation (0–9).

Related Phrases

• Arabic numeral: Any of the numerical symbols 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
  • Most of the world uses Arabic numerals for mathematics.
• Roman numeral: Any of the letters representing numbers in the ancient Roman system (I, V, X, L, C, D, M).
  • The copyright year is often shown in Roman numerals.
• Numeral system: A writing system for expressing numbers.
  • The decimal system is the most common numeral system.

Adjective

1. of or relating to or denoting numbers
   • a numeral adjective

Noun

1. a symbol used to represent a number
   • he learned to write the numerals before he went to school