number
number
Pronunciation
number: /ˈnʌmbər/
num-: /nʌm/
-ber: /bər/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: number
Plural Noun: numbers
Verb (base form): number
Verb (third-person singular present): numbers
Verb (present participle): numbering
Verb (past tense/past participle): numbered
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: An arithmetical value representing a quantity, count, or position, often expressed by a word, symbol, or figure.
Synonyms: numeral, figure, digit, count, quantity, amount
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for the concept of a number itself)
Definition: A particular quantity or amount of people or things.
Synonyms: multitude, quantity, aggregate, total, sum, collection
Antonyms: scarcity, fewness, paucity
Definition: A single issue of a magazine, journal, or other periodical publication.
Synonyms: issue, edition, volume, installment
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Definition: A melodic performance or piece of music, often as part of a larger show or album.
Synonyms: song, track, piece, tune, selection
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Verb
Definition: To count or ascertain the total quantity of something.
Synonyms: count, enumerate, tally, calculate, compute
Antonyms: estimate (in the sense of not counting precisely), guess
Definition: To include or be a member of a specified group or category.
Synonyms: include, belong, comprise, consist of, categorize
Antonyms: exclude, omit, leave out
Definition: To assign a numerical identifier to something in a sequence.
Synonyms: assign, tag, label, identify, index
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Examples of Use
Books:
"The number of stars in the observable universe is truly astounding, though constantly being refined by new astronomical observations." (From a popular science book about cosmology, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey by Neil deGrasse Tyson, published 2014)
"She dialed the emergency number with trembling fingers, hoping for a swift response." (From a thriller novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, published August 2004)
Newspapers:
"The number of new COVID-19 cases continued to decline last week, offering a glimmer of hope for public health officials." (The New York Times)
"A record number of tourists visited the coastal city in May, boosting the local economy." (Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"Google announced a significant increase in the number of active users across its various platforms this quarter." (TechCrunch)
"The article explored the surprising number of endangered species found in urban environments." (National Geographic Online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the movie The Imitation Game, Alan Turing and his team work tirelessly to decipher the Enigma code, a task that involves breaking an immense number of possible combinations. (Released December 2014)
Television Series: "Our viewers have spoken, and the number one show this season is 'The Crown,' praised for its compelling historical drama." (Netflix promotional material)
Music: The song "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen is often cited as a classic rock number, renowned for its complex structure and vocal harmonies. (Released October 1975)
Video Games: In many role-playing games, players manage a number of inventory items, including weapons, armor, and potions, to aid them in their quests. (General RPG mechanic, e.g., The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, released May 2015)
Podcasts: "Today's episode features a fascinating discussion with a guest who has published a remarkable number of research papers on quantum physics." (NPR's Science Friday, June 2024)
General Public Discourse:
"Did you get my number? I can text you the details later."
"I've got your number, you can't fool me with that trick again!" (Figurative use, meaning to understand someone's true intentions)
"What number are we on for the raffle drawing?"
"The number of people attending the concert exceeded all expectations."
10 Quotes Using Number
"Number rules the universe." - Pythagoras (Source: A-Z Quotes)
"A good decision is based on knowledge, and not on numbers." - Plato (Source: The Dialogues of Plato, 1871)
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa (Source: A-Z Quotes)
"Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all." - George Washington (Source: The Quotable George Washington, 1999)
"Wherever there is number, there is beauty." - Proclus (Source: A-Z Quotes)
"When you have mastered numbers, you will in fact no longer be reading numbers, any more than you read words when reading books. You will be reading meanings." - W. E. B. Du Bois (Source: A-Z Quotes)
"I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind." - Lord Kelvin (Source: Popular Lectures and Addresses "Electrical Units of Measurement", 1889)
"Without mathematics, there's nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers." - Shakuntala Devi (Source: Prodigy Education)
"According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than delivering the eulogy." - Jerry Seinfeld (Source: Spark Presentations)
"Mathematics is the queen of the sciences and number theory is the queen of mathematics." - Carl Friedrich Gauss (Source: MacTutor History of Mathematics)
Etymology
The word "number" has a long history, tracing its roots back to ancient times. It ultimately comes from the Latin word "numerus," which meant "a number, quantity, amount."
From "numerus," it evolved into Old French as "nombre," carrying a similar meaning of "a quantity, amount, figure."
The first known use of "number" in English dates back to the late 13th century. At that time, it was used as a noun, directly from the Old French "nombre," to refer to an arithmetical value or a quantity. So, its initial meaning was very much about counting and amounts, just as we understand it today. Over time, its uses expanded to include things like a position in a sequence, a single issue of a publication, or a musical piece.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Number
A number of: Several; more than one but not a great many.
By the numbers: According to strict rules or a set procedure; precisely.
Do a number on (someone/something): To inflict damage or harm; to have a strong negative effect.
Get someone's number: To understand someone's true character or intentions, often negative ones.
His/her number is up: It's someone's turn to die or face a dire consequence.
Look out for number one: To prioritize one's own interests and well-being above all else.
The number of the beast: A reference to a biblical symbol, often used colloquially to mean something evil or ominous.
Without number: Too many to count; countless.
Your number's on the door: You're next in line or about to be called upon.
Crunch the numbers: To perform calculations, especially detailed or extensive ones.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of number from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
