What does number mean?
“Number” is a highly versatile word for expressing quantity, identity, order, and membership. As a noun, it can mean an abstract mathematical value, a numeral such as 7, a count of people or things, a telephone number, or an item in a numbered series. In everyday use, it often communicates an approximate quantity: “a number of” means several, while “the number of” refers to the total amount. As a verb, “number” means to count, assign numbers to, or be included among a group. It also functions attributively in expressions such as “number one,” indicating the highest rank or first position. The word is standard in British and American English and is useful in both precise mathematical contexts and informal descriptions of people, problems, and series.
A mathematical value or count; a numeral representing a value; a quantity or total; an identifying number; or an item in a series.
"The number of books in the collection has doubled."
The plural “numbers” can refer to several numerical values or to a set of numbered items, as in “the winning numbers.”
To count or assign numbers to; to comprise a specified number; or to be included among a group.
"The document numbers each recommendation for easy reference."
The phrase “number among” is formal and means to be included within a group or category.
Denoting numerical rank or designation, especially first place or the leading position.
"The company released its number one product last month."
This use is especially established in the expression “number one” and in similar compound formulations.
Use “numbers” for several numerical values or for items identified by numbers. In phrases such as “a number of” and “the number of,” the following verb is normally plural in standard British and American English.
"The numbers on the board indicate the number of completed surveys."
The word “number” grew from a Latin term for rank and distribution, so its ideas have long connected counting with order and position.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does number come from?
English “number” comes through Old French nombre from Latin numerus, which referred to a number, rank, class, or orderly distribution. The same Latin root underlies related English words including “numeral,” “numerous,” “enumerate,” and “numeric.” Over time, the word’s range expanded from the idea of numerical value to include telephone numbers, serial positions, and informal descriptions of influential people.
Related word forms
How number is actually used
In formal usage, “a number of” and “the number of” are commonly followed by a plural verb: “A number of students were late.” “A number of” can mean several without implying an exact count, whereas “the number of” refers to the total quantity. As a verb, “number among” is formal and means “be included among.”
Easily confused with number
A number is the abstract value or count, whereas a numeral is the written or printed symbol used to represent it.