The Open Dictionary

number

noun

UK/ˈnʌm.bəʳ/
US/ˈnʌm.bɚ/

Definitions of number noun

symbol

  1. A1Countable

    A symbol or sign that represents a unit within a system of counting and calculation.

    • 25, 300, and one billion are all considered numbers.

    • She is exceptionally skilled at working with numbers.

  2. A1Countablewritten abbreviation

    A numeral used to identify a specific item or instance.

    • Their residence is at number 34 on Orchard Street.

    • Kindly fill in your credit card number on this form.

    • What is the number for our flight?

  3. A1Countablewritten abbreviation

    A sequence of digits used to contact someone via telephone.

    • I provided him with my phone number.

quantity

  1. B1SingularSingular/Plural verb

    A total or quantity of things or people.

    • The count of fatalities in traffic incidents decreased last month.

    • The total of diagnosed cases for this disease continues to rise.

    • A small proportion of children are taught at home.

  2. SingularSingular/Plural verb

    A collective of individuals.

    • During the trip, one member of our group became ill.

publication

  1. Countable

    A specific edition of a periodical publication.

    • Do you possess last week's issue of the New Yorker magazine?

    • He has preserved all the previous editions of this magazine.

clothing

  1. Countableinformal

    An item of apparel, particularly a dress, that is admired.

    • She donned a fashionable Dior dress.

person

  1. Countableslang

    An individual exhibiting a certain characteristic.

    • He is quite the sexy individual, wouldn't you agree?

music

  1. Countable

    A brief musical piece or song.

    • Perform one of those romantic songs.

statement

  1. CountableUsually singularinformal

    A commonly repeated statement.

    • He resorted to his usual tactic, lamenting about his wife's lack of understanding.

Phrases of number noun

  • numbers

    Refers to a quantity of a particular type or description.

    • In recent years, increasing numbers of people have chosen to work from home.

  • a number of things

    Refers to a quantity of items of a particular type, which is more than a few, but not a large or specific number.

    • He ultimately decided to postpone the project due to a number of factors influencing his decision.

verb

UK/ˈnʌm.bəʳ/
US/ˈnʌm.bɚ/

Definitions of number verb

label

  1. C1Transitive

    To assign a number to something within a sequence, often by writing that number on it.

    • All the file folders have been carefully numbered and placed in their correct positions.

    • Label the pages with numbers starting from one and ending at ten.

total

  1. C2Noun

    To total or amount to a specified number.

    • Following the hurricane, the total of homeless individuals exceeded 200,000.

Idioms

  • any number of things

    A large quantity or variety of something.

    • The museum displays any number of ancient artifacts.

  • your number is up

    This idiom indicates that someone's time to die has come, suggesting that death is imminent.

    • When he found himself surrounded by the enemy, he knew his number was up.

  • by numbers

    Following a predetermined plan or method without using imagination or creativity.

    • The report was written by numbers; it lacked any original thought.

  • a numbers game

    A situation where the quantity of something is the most crucial factor, often with a negative connotation.

    • For him, this investment is just a numbers game, and he doesn't care about the quality of the product.

  • beyond/without number

    Extremely numerous; too many to be counted.

    • On that remote island, the stars were beyond number.

  • by (sheer) force/weight of numbers

    due to a large quantity or number of people or things

    • The protesters broke through the police barricade by sheer force of numbers.

  • do a number on someone

    To harm or injure someone, either physically or emotionally; or to cause someone to feel embarrassed or humiliated.

    • The car accident really did a number on his car.

  • have someone's number

    To understand someone's character and intentions thoroughly, giving one an advantage over them; to see through someone's pretense.

    • She thought she could deceive me, but I have had her number for a while now.

Phrasal Verbs of number