number

A written sign, such as 2 or 8, that shows how many or how much.

• Write the number five.
• She circled the numbers on the page.
• Can you read that number on the sign?

Similar words: numeral, figure

Common phrases: write a number, single number, large number

How many people or things there are.

• The number of guests increased.
• We counted the total number of books.
• What is the maximum number of players?

How to use it: the number of + plural noun (The number of visitors is growing.)

Similar words: count, total

Common phrases: the total number, a small number, number of people

Several people or things, in an expression starting with “a” and followed by “of.”

• A number of people called.
• We visited a number of small villages.
• A number of questions remain unanswered.

How to use it: a number of + plural noun (A number of students are waiting outside.)

Common phrases: a number of, a small number

A value used in mathematics, including whole values, fractions, and values below zero.

• Three is a positive number.
• Divide both numbers by two.
• This equation has no solution among the real numbers.

Common phrases: real number, negative number, complex number

A song, dance, or other short piece performed as part of a show.

• The band played a lively number.
• Their opening number delighted the audience.
• She danced in three numbers during the show.

Similar words: piece, song

Common phrases: opening number, dance number, musical number

To give each thing a figure such as 1, 2, or 3 so it can be identified.

• Please number the pages.
• We numbered every box before moving.
• The seats are numbered from one to twenty.

How to use it: number something from … to … (Number the questions from one to ten.)

Common phrases: number the pages, number each item, number the seats

To have a particular total when counted.

• The group numbers fifty people.
• The crowd numbered about two thousand.
• Their supporters now number in the millions.

How to use it: number + quantity (The team numbers twelve members.); number in the hundreds/thousands (The visitors numbered in the thousands.)

Similar words: total, amount to

Common phrases: number in thousands, number over something

To limit how much longer someone or something can continue to exist.

• His days as manager are numbered.
• The storm has numbered the old tree’s days.
• With sales falling, the company’s days may be numbered.

How to use it: someone’s/something’s days are numbered (The old factory’s days are numbered.)

Common phrases: number someone’s days, number something’s days