number

Meanings

Noun

• 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.
• Quantity.
• 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 person.
• An item of clothing, particularly a stylish one.
• A marijuana cigarette, or joint; also, a quantity of marijuana bought form a dealer.
• An issue of a periodical publication.
• A large amount, in contrast to a smaller amount; numerical preponderance.
• A large amount of damage

Verb

• To label (items) with numbers; to assign numbers to (items).
• To total or count; to amount to.

Adjective

• Comparative form or more of numb

Related

Narrower meaning words

• house number
• opposite number
• phone number
• round number
• serial number
• telephone number
• en
• adverbial number
• cardinal number (cardinal)
• ordinal number (ordinal)
• complex number
• even number
• fraction
• imaginary number
• integer
• irrational number
• natural number
• negative number
• odd number
• positive number
• prime number
• rational number
• real number

Origin

• 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.
• From numb + -er.