numeral
numeral Lexical Profile
numeral Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A figure, symbol, or group of symbols denoting a number.
"The antique clock face features traditional Roman numerals instead of modern digits."
A word expressing a number, such as a cardinal or ordinal number (in grammar).
"In the phrase "three apples," the word "three" functions as a cardinal numeral."
• adjective
Of, relating to, or denoting a number or numbers; expressed by or consisting of numbers.
"The ancient tablet was inscribed with a complex numeral system used for tracking agricultural yields."
Word Nuance & Usage
In strict mathematical usage, a "number" is an abstract concept of quantity, whereas a "numeral" is the written symbol or character (such as "5" or "V") used to represent that quantity.
• Rhymes for numeral
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 16th century from Middle French numéral or Late Latin numeralis ("of or belonging to a number"), derived from the Latin root numerus ("number").