numeral
C1Formal/Technical
Definition
Meaning
A word, symbol, or group of symbols used to represent a number.
Pertaining to or consisting of numbers; a symbol used to denote a member of a sequence (e.g., Roman numerals, Arabic numerals).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a countable noun in grammar (e.g., cardinal numeral 'three') or as an adjective ('numeral system'). Not synonymous with 'number' in all contexts; a numeral is the symbol for the number.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. 'Numeral' is the standard term in both varieties. In informal US contexts, 'number' might be used where 'numeral' is technically more precise.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, used in specific technical, mathematical, or grammatical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[numeral] + noun (numeral system)the [numeral] for Xwritten in [numeral]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might appear in technical reports about data or classification systems.
Academic
Common in linguistics (grammatical analysis), mathematics, history, and archaeology when discussing numbering systems.
Everyday
Rare; 'number' or 'figure' is preferred. 'Numeral' might be used when specifically distinguishing the symbol from the concept, e.g., 'Write the answer in numerals, not words.'
Technical
Standard term in computing, typography, mathematics, and formal grammar to specify symbolic representations of numbers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This word is not commonly used as a verb.
American English
- This word is not commonly used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- This word is not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- This word is not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The ancient manuscript used a complex numeral system.
- She studied the numeral notations on the clock face.
American English
- The software supports multiple numeral formats.
- We need to check the numeral representation in the dataset.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The number 5 is a numeral.
- Write your age in numerals.
- Arabic numerals (like 1, 2, 3) are used worldwide.
- The price was written in Roman numerals: MMXXII.
- Linguists classify 'first' and 'second' as ordinal numerals.
- The ancient civilisation had a unique numeral system based on twenty.
- The glyph's function shifted from a logogram to a purely numeral one.
- Typography must consider the alignment of ascending numerals within the font.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember NUMERAL contains 'NUMER' like in 'NUMBERS'. A numeral is the symbol for a NUMBER.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NUMERAL IS A CLOTHING/GARB FOR A NUMBER (the abstract concept wears a symbolic form).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'числовой' (numerical). 'Numeral' as a noun is 'цифра' or 'число' depending on context (цифра for digit, число for number). As an adjective, 'numeral' often translates as 'числовой' (numeral system).
- In Russian grammar, 'числительное' is a part of speech; in English, this is 'numeral' as a word class, but the term is less commonly used in everyday language.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'numeral' as a synonym for 'number' in all contexts (e.g., 'My phone numeral' is incorrect; use 'number').
- Pronouncing it as /njuːˈmerəl/ with stress on the second syllable (correct stress is on the first: /ˈnjuːm(ə)rəl/).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best definition of 'numeral'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'number' is the abstract mathematical concept of quantity (e.g., the idea of 'fiveness'). A 'numeral' is the written symbol or word used to express that number (e.g., '5', 'V', 'five').
No, it is a technical term. In everyday language, people use 'number', 'digit', or 'figure'. You'll mainly encounter 'numeral' in academic, mathematical, or linguistic contexts.
They are closely related but not perfect synonyms. A 'digit' refers specifically to one of the ten symbols 0-9 in the decimal system. A 'numeral' can be a single digit or a combination of digits (like '25') and also includes non-decimal symbols like Roman numerals (V, X).
It is used to describe things related to number symbols, e.g., 'numeral system', 'numeral keypad', 'numeral form'. It means 'of or denoting a number or numbers'.