number

NUM-bur/ˈnʌmbɚ/UKNUM-buh/ˈnʌmbə/

Pluralnumbers

Verbnumbers, numbering, numbered

Often confused with amount

20 meanings of number

Practice

1
amount (of things)nouncountable
How many people or things there are.
Like counting how many: a small number is few, a big number is many.
A large number of people came to the fair.
The number of birds in the park grew over winter.
UsageSay a number of people are, but the number of people is.
Similarquantity, total, count
Note
2
value like 7nouncountable
A value such as 1, 2 or 100, or the sign we write for it, used for counting and doing sums.
Like the marks 1, 2, 3 you see on a clock.
She wrote the number 8 on the board.
Add these two numbers and tell me the answer.
Similarnumeral, figure
Note
3
before a figurenouncountablebefore a noun
Used before a figure such as one or twelve to show where something comes in a list or order.
Like saying you are 'number three' when you wait in line.
Our team came in at number one this season.
He lives at number twelve on the street.
UsageSay number one, or write No. 1.
4
ID codenouncountable
A set of digits, sometimes with letters, used to record and identify people, cars and other things.
Like a name tag made of letters and digits.
Write the serial number on the warranty card.
Each car must display its license number.
5
phonenouncountable
The set of digits you dial to reach someone on a phone.
Can I get your number before you leave?
I lost his number when my phone broke.
UsageSay give me your number.
6
nouncountable
Figures that show how well someone or something is doing, like sales or how many people like a leader. Usually plural.
The store's sales numbers went way up in December.
The monthly jobs number was better than most people expected.
UsageSay sales numbers, or crunch the numbers.
Similarfigure, statistic
Note
7
verbtransitive
To give each thing or person in a group its own number, one after another.
Like writing 1, 2, 3 on each chair so people know where to sit.
Please number the pages before you print them.
The teacher numbered the test questions one to twenty.
8
song or actnouncountable
A single song or dance done as one part of a bigger show.
Like one game in a whole tournament: just one part of the show.
The dancers practiced their final number for hours.
Her favorite number in the musical was the opening song.
UsageSay the opening number of a show.
Similarsong, routine, piece

Less common meanings

9
be one ofverbintransitive
To be one of a group, or to think of someone as one of a group.
These books number among my favorites of all time.
She numbers among the best players on the team.
UsageSay something numbers among your favorites.
Similarcount, rank, figure, belong
10
verbintransitive
To add up to a total amount.
Like adding everyone up to see how many there are in total.
The guests numbered over a hundred.
Their fans number in the thousands.
UsageSay they numbered in the thousands.
Similartotal
Note
11
nounformal
A group of people that someone belongs to or is counted among.
One of our number has to stay behind and lock the doors.
She was proud to count herself among their number.
UsageOne of our number means one of us.
Similargroup
12
grammarnouncountable or uncountable
Whether a word stands for one thing or more than one, shown by its form.
Like how 'cat' means one but 'cats' means more than one.
When you change 'child' to 'children', you change its number.
The word 'cats' shows plural number.
Note
13
outfitnouncolloquialcountable
A piece of clothing or an outfit, especially a stylish one.
She wore a stunning black number to the party.
That little red number looks great on you.
UsageUse a little black number for a stylish black dress.
Similaroutfit
14
personnouncolloquialcountable
A person, often one who stands out in some way.
She's a tough little number, and nobody pushes her around.
That new guy is a strange number.
UsageSay a tough number for a tough person.
Similarcharacter
15
jobnouncolloquialUKcountable
A job or task, especially an easy or pleasant one.
That office job is a cushy number with great pay.
He landed a comfortable little number at the bank.
UsageSay a cushy number for an easy job.
Similarjob
16
doomverbtransitive
To limit something to a small fixed amount, as if its end is already decided.
The little shop's days are numbered now that the big mall has opened.
The doctor told him his days were numbered.
UsageSay his days are numbered when the end is near.
Note
17
magazine issuenoundatedcountable
One issue of a magazine or newspaper that comes out regularly.
She kept every number of the old science magazine.
When, in July, 1897, my father brought home the first number of The Railway Magazine, I little thought that, sixty years later, I should still be reading it, without having missed a single number.
1957, M. D. Greville, “A Diamond Jubilee of Railway Memories”Here, number means one issue of a magazine.
Similarissue, edition
Note
18
joint (drug)nounslangUScountable
A marijuana cigarette, or some marijuana bought from a dealer.
He rolled a number and passed it around the circle.
They smoked a number with a friend downtown.
UsageSay roll a number.
Similarjoint, spliff
Note
19
verbarchaictransitive
To count something to find out how many there are.
He tried to number the stars above the desert.
From twentie yeare old and above, all that go forth to the warre in Iſrael, thou and Aaron ſhall number them, throughout their armies.
1610, The Bible: That Is, the Holy Scriptures Contained in the Olde and New TestamentHere, number means to count.
Note
20
nounarchaicplural
Lines of poetry, especially ones with a steady beat and rhyme.
As yet a Child, nor yet a Fool to Fame, / I liſp'd in Numbers, for the Numbers came.
1735, [Alexander] Pope, An Epistle from Mr. PopeHere, Numbers means poetry, words with rhythm and rhyme.
Griefe brought to numbers cannot be ſo fierce, / For, he tames it, that fetters it in verſe.
a. 1631 (date written), J[ohn] Donne, “The Triple Foole”
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of number apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came through Old French from Latin "numerus," meaning "number."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Number came through Old French from Latin numerus. en.wiktionary.org
Latin numerus means number. en.wiktionary.org